PERSONAL
LUGGAGE
As well as packing your camping packs, you need to bring a
separate bag with the extra clothes that you will want to wear when
not on the river. These personal bags will be left with our outfitter,
and they will bring them to our pick up point. The personal bag should
be able to fit in the top of your camping pack. Clothing for the Yukon,
Northwest Territories or Nunavut should be casual and comfortable. Occasionally,
we require you to drop your camping packs and/or paddles at Farmhouse
Pottery before the trip. We will take them to special services early
on the flight day and check them through. Since we travel from Ontario,
we often have extra gear that goes with the group.
AIRPORT
DEPARTURE
Air Canada domestic departs from Terminal 2. Since we have
more luggage than most travellers, please be at the airport 2 hours
before the flight departure.
IDENTIFICATION
Those travelling to Skagway, Alaska to climb the Chilkoot or
ride the White Pass Railroad must have at least a birth certificate
to cross the US border. Also to check your health insurance for US coverage.
Extra health insurance is available at Orangeville Travel. Call Bev
Kearns at 519-941-1651.
PERSONAL CASH AND CREDIT CARD
Most places in Yukon, NWT and Nunavut accept VISA or Master
Card. There are bank machines in Whitehorse, Dawson, Inuvik, Norman
Wells or Yellowknife. Bring a small amount of cash to have on hand.
We usually leave our wallets and identification with our personal gear
with our outfitters.
ITINERARIES
We
have done a great deal of work on the itineraries to make them accurate.
We have gone through these with a fine tooth comb but please check to
see if there are any glaring errors!
ACCOMMODATIONS AND RESERVATIONS
Accommodations are not included in your Canoe North fee. Please
pay individually. If you make long distance calls or have any other
extras, please settle this with the bed and breakfast or hotel.
SURPRISE HORS D'OEUVRES AND DESSERTS
The tradition of surprise hors d'oeuvres etc. began on a trip
to the arctic in 1976 and has been one of the highlights of our northern
trips. It continues to add zest to our dinnertime festivities. Every
tripper must bring one surprise appetizer and one surprise dessert.
Here are some criteria.
1) Appetizers should be quick to prepare and preferably should
not require a cooking fire. Appetizers add a touch of class to our nightly
happy hour (just a light drink) so don't go for volume here - try to
make these a unique taste sensation!
2) Try to strip down the commercial packaging to the bare minimum. Take
instructions off box-tops and put any powdered contents into zip-lock
bags. No twist-ties please and no cans unless absolutely essential.
If you bring anything perishable we'll be sure to schedule you in the
first few days. Of course we will provide all the mixing dishes etc..
3) Our kitchen pack includes things like powdered milk, sugar, salt,
spices, garlic etc. so you can avoid duplication here. Call us if in
doubt.
4) Desserts can be as elaborate and extravagant as you desire. Don't
hold back here. We have a very effective oven and we bring cake pans,
muffin tins etc.. Last year we had delicious lemon tarts with whip cream
on fresh baked pastries! Again, watch excessive packaging, include all
cooking instructions, avoid cans and try to be conscious of excessive
weight! Remember, if anything needs chilling, we can use the ice-cold
river.
CANOE NORTH ADVENTURE SHIRTS & HATS
We have a handsome Canoe North Adventures logo and will be
providing each of you with a complimentary four-colour, acid washed
T-shirt and a ballcap. Under the logo will be the caption representing
your trip, and we hope this will make a dynamic addition to your designer
wardrobe. We are also producing some long sleeved sweat-shirts with
an embroidered logo (very classy) and can offer these to you at approximately
$80.
PRE-TRIP PADDLING SESSIONS
We need at least an afternoon or evening of your time to get
out on the water and brush up on a few paddling skills. We will provide
canoes, paddles, life jackets etc. and will train at the Orangeville
Reservoir and the Grand River. Remember you will be paddling on rivers
with some sections that are very tight and have whitewater sections.
It's important to develop solid bow and stern, and whitewater capabilities
before we get to the Yukon or Northwest Territories. Our sessions will
consist of an hour of stroke analysis and technique followed by a one
hour, recreational paddle. We can arrange this on a weekday or evening
or a weekend.
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