Reindeer River - Island, 16km Below Steephill Rapids
Distance 7 km [191 km]
Portages 0
It rained heavily all night and didn’t stop until almost 8am. The camp site was wet and difficult so Kate’s Kitchen changed the breakfast menu to pilot biscuits and coffee in the tent annex. We packed up whilst drying out more gear on the rocks and finally left camp at 11.45 but with polar fleeces dry plus some of John’s clothes.
The lucky Bow Man gets coffee in bed served by the Captain!
Day 8 campsite, west bank of the Reindeer River
We were paddling into a headwind which just got stronger and stronger. We had been going only an hour when we had to shelter behind a tiny island for almost an hour. We set off again but the waves got dangerously high so once more we took shelter behind yet another island. We were limited as to what we could do in the canoe however used our time to have lunch, make a shopping list for when we reached Southend, and made some notes for next year. We made another attempt but after about 100 meters or so were turned back. We waited until after 5pm and made yet another attempt, we probably made about 200 meters but again had to turn back as it was too dangerous.
We had no option but to make camp despite it being a less than auspicious place. This has not been the year for reasonable camping sites. Still we did get some more drying done and the tent up just before the rain set in. I am afraid it is pilot biscuits yet again at about 8pm – the caterer could get fired if this keeps up.
The bush along much of the Reindeer River is poplar – it seems to be favoured by beavers who build impressively large lodges like this one just north of our Day 8 camp
Campsite on small un-named island in Reindeer River – it was in a hollow behind a rock ridge, well sheltered but about 200m from the canoe