Leaving for the still "frozen" North, Riviere Megiscane

[Tryin']

Iam enjoying following recapped. Thanks for the up dates trying. What would be his options if ice stopped his progress? Wait it out, retreat? He is on an adventure all right!

Retracing could be tricky with the rivers and channels at spring melt levels. He mentioned a "tuneup rapid" on the 9th. They currently have a pretty clear shot at a provincial route to their east (red circle). That would *maybe* give them an opportunity for pickup depending on road conditions and whether those channels are up stream or downstream.

He originally said two weeks for the trip, so there is still a good amount of time on the clock. On the 9th, he said they were running 3-4 days behind, but that was before yesterday's turnaround.

One thing is for sure, recped can handle it.

 

[Erica]

It sounds terribly frustrating and, of course, cold.

 

[Tryin']

It was, indeed, ice. They've been battened in all day today as well.

"Stymied by ice once again, the wind has blow what hasn't melted into the north end of the next lake. Back at the dam trying to stay warm in our tent shelter."

 

[memaquay]

Our lakes cleared out yesterday, hope they have similar results.

 

[Robin]

I’m stuck at a Tim Hortons in Happy Valley, Labrador, not a good place to be after quitting carbs and sugar, (dropped 26 lbs, blood work shows nice improvements).
Blizzard conditions yesterday from Labrador City to here, started slowly, then full on white outs. Route 510 is closed from here to the coast, maybe 300 miles if I guess correctly,
All lakes are frozen/half frozen and rivers high.

 

[Tryin']

Pretty good progress today. Looks like at least one tough portage. Definitely a beach for the night, at which they did not arrive until after 8p EST.

 

[Gamma1214]

A bit over 3 hours on that port. Triple carried it too...

Good to see real progress

 

[Erica]

He's now into the Riviere Megiscane on Lac Pascagama. I remember this lac. The beaches were nice as I recall.

 

[Tryin']

Pretty good stretch today. Hitting camp at 21:30... Looks like they are in the bush tonight.

 

[Tryin']

Yup, portage was bad.

 

[Pseudonym]

I know he can’t read this now but… Hang in there @recped! We’re rooting for ya!

Thanks for posting these @Tryin'. It’s nice to follow along.

 

[Modified Ottertail]

It looks like they bailed. Yes?

 

[Tryin']

Reversed course this morning and hit a takeout to the south. Looks like they found a shuttle of some kind and are now at the train station in Senneterre.

Good effort team. That was undoubtedly quite an exercise in mental toughness. Way to go.

 

[Erica]

A terrible disappointment. I know how it feels to have to cut short a long awaited trip.

 

[Gamma1214]

UGH. That stinks. I guess we'll await the TR and/or his YouTube video to get the first-hand version.

 

[memaquay]

There is a lot of wisdom involved in knowing when to call it quits. I've been in that situation a few times, and disappointment was not the key emotion when we finally got out of the mess. Relief and happiness to have escaped unlimited suffering were the key emotions I remember, lol.

 

[Gerald]

Have done the Megiscane twice, once solo in July and with a friend in August (circa 1980's) Earlier than that, and it's either ice in May or hordes of bugs in June. In summer, the Megiscane is a technical river at places with lower water and huge boulders as you get downstream. Kudos to Recped and the team for trying to get it done when the water is high. They would have had quite a ride.

 

[recped]

Back at home just in time for an enjoyable ice event.....that would be my Leafs beating Florida Panthers and extending the series to a game 7 on Sunday.

Interesting reading the comments here, speculations were mostly accurate and in spite of the failure it provided some new to me paddling experiences. A saying heard commonly in the Spring is "the water was in the trees"but this time it was more like "the trees are in the water". On a route apparently filled with beaches to camp on there was not a single one to be seen.

I hope to put some more details together and post here before Sunday's game. Waiting for ice to melt is bad but nowhere near as bad as enduring 58 years of futility of my hockey team (last Stanley Cup was in 1967).

 

[Gerald]

Let's hope your Leafs win the final game. As a Québécois, I never thought I'd ever cheer for the Blue and White.
Too bad about the high water covering the beaches because there sure are a lot of them along that route.
Have a good recovery and plan your next trip.

 

[Erica]

I'm glad you made it out safe. Sorry the weather was not more cooperative.

When I paddled the Megiscane, most of the beaches had an inner campsite well away from the water. This was decades ago of course. I was glad I could camp on the beaches when I went through.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. I hope your team wins.