A La Mer du Nord 2025

WwVille de Saint Felicien

Arrived just in time for the National Day, the expedition brigade À la Mer du Nord 2025 is already preparing to leave!

Many of you came to welcome them, discover their journey and share a moment with them during the festivities .

Before they continue their adventure, come and say a last goodbye to them!

See you tomorrow, June 26 at 9 am, at the municipal quay!

The brigade of the expedition To the North Sea left Tadoussac on May 31, four weeks ago already.

Since then, it is several hundred kilometers by canoe that have been covered up the rivers, starting with the Fjord-du-Saguenay, then the Chicoutimi River with its seven portions, the crossing of Lake Kenogami and Lake Kenogamichiche, to finally join the Aulnaies River, then the Belle River Leading up to the breathtaking Lake Saint Jean.
Part of Normandin this Sunday morning, the brigade is now continuing its uphill from the Ashuapmushuan River.

Over the 10 public stops along the way, the team had the chance to meet hundreds of canoeing, history and fishing enthusiasts, as well as several school groups.
A huge thank you to everyone who moved and showed interest in the adventure.
The expedition isn’t just about a canoeing experience: it also seeks to commemorate the history of the Route des Furrures, while showcasing the art of traditional cedar canoe construction, a skill as remarkable as rare today.

In pictures, a few memories of the past weeks of layovers.

The brigade will be more discreet until Chibougamau, the next stop scheduled for July 13, but don't worry: very interesting content is coming very soon...

The brigade à la mer du Nord has completed the portion in the beautiful Réserve faunique Ashuapmushuan and we would like to thank them for embarking on the adventure as a partner and allowing the brigade to cross this exceptional territory.

This stage was not full of rest: climbing rivers to the pole, facing long carries and composing with a wild and demanding environment... But the beauty of the territory allowed the team to keep their course and morale.

The whole team is fitter, more united and determined than ever after tackling this age challenge.

Next stop: Chibougamau Marina!
We will keep you updated very soon on the revised date, as it develops in the next few days.

Quebecois keeping the Spirit Alive.
The closest I have come to this was paddling the Upper Missouri River in Montana on the Trail of Lewis and Clark. I wore buckskins and camped in some of the same places as the Journey of Discovery. We read from the journal around the camp fire at night. The last 4 days we saw no one except one Cessna pilot. Just a lot of bighorn sheep, elk and buffalo. We imagined the local people leaving cord wood along the river in exchange for gold dust to power the steam ships going up river. We imagined the Crow and Blackfoot warriors watching us and visited a few old homestead long abandoned. Bon Voyage.

The brigade crossed the water sharing line last Sunday, July 20. Land climbing is over, we are now sailing the waters off James Bay!

Yesterday, Monday, July 21, we reached the huge, beautiful and labyrinthic Lake Obatogamau. We stopped for the night at Pourvoirie lac Obatogamau where we were greeted by a warm staff. A big breakfast of scrambled eggs, freshly baked waffles, cereal, apples, buttered bread with real butter and real milk coffee, could one dream up better?

Thanks Robin for taking the time to share all exploits.
Jim

Wow. How great would it be to spend your summer on a trip like this, paddling with these guys. This would be a trip of a lifetime.

Chibougamau!
The brigade has finally arrived and will be ready to meet you this Saturday, July 26, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Centre villégiature Marina Chibougamau

There's something to celebrate: their arrival marks halfway through the expedition! They sailed 600 miles out of the 1200 miles to travel before reaching Waskaganish!

On Sunday, take part in the nautical procession and accompany the brigade as they depart from the Marina to the site of the old HBC trafficking station. Bring your boats and VFI.

For all event details visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/19uyL7kttJ/

Thanks to Rock Arsenault for the photos.
Chibougamau!
The brigade has finally arrived and will be ready to meet you this Saturday, July 26, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Centre villégiature Marina Chibougamau

There's something to celebrate: their arrival marks halfway through the expedition! They sailed 600 miles out of the 1200 miles to travel before reaching Waskaganish!

On Sunday, take part in the nautical procession and accompany the brigade as they depart from the Marina to the site of the old HBC trafficking station. Bring your boats and VFI.

For all event details visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/19uyL7kttJ/

Thanks to Rock Arsenault for the photos.

...Bring your boats and VFI.

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Forgive my ignorance but... VFI? Only "VFI" with which I'm familiar is a military interceptor which is beyond my budget.

Gamma1214 said:

Forgive my ignorance but... VFI? Only "VFI" with which I'm familiar is a military interceptor which is beyond my budget.

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ha ha
vestes de flottaisons - pfd

pfd

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Good. THOSE I can afford. (stooopid language barrier)