Trip Description
Getting Started • Running the River • Camping in Comfort • Grand Finale
Day 1: Rendezvous, welcome dinner, overnight lodging in seaside cabins.
Day 2: Float plane fly-in to Romaine River. Raft to first camp.
Days 3 to 6: Descend and explore the Romaine. Raft numerous rapids, hike side canyons, and camp at different spots by the river each night.
Day 7: Mid-day float plane flight back to Havre-Saint-Pierre. Overnight lodging in seaside cabins. Farewell Dinner.
Day 8: Breakfast and airport drop-off.
Getting started - From the Coast to the Interior
Boreal River guides greet you at the airport in Sept Iles and we depart for a beautiful drive along the coast to Havre Saint Pierre. Passing through small fishing villages we begin to get a feel for the culture of Quebec's North Shore region as we spot old but meticulously maintained churches and shops with friendly locals selling homemade jams and wild caught crabs. The area's natural attractions beam out at us as well: to our left, a roadless wilderness of rivers and forest and to the right, sweeping seascapes with distant islands and rocky bays.
In one of these bays, about fifteen minutes outside of the town of Havre Saint Pierre, we find our first night's accommodations. Those arriving in their own vehicles will meet at this spot. Here, a collection of cabins sit perched by the sea and look out at the islands of Mingan Archipelago National Park. A walking trail along the coast brings us to the out-flowing of the Romaine River. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know the rest of the group and guides. We go over the plan as well as some packing tips for the next day's departure.
The following morning a short drive brings us to the airport where we weigh in and board the float planes. The thirty minute flight offers superb views. Forest clad hills and hundreds of lakes spread out in front of us as we leave the coast behind and head into the wilderness.
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Running the River
Over the next six days we descend the Romaine river running numerous rapids. We use 14 foot self-bailing paddle rafts, each holding up to six paddlers plus an expert guide. We also have a safety kayak guide who leads the pack. The first section of our trip contains mild current and easy whitewater providing for a great warm up. Guides explain river safety and we practice paddling and maneuvering the rafts as we build confidence.
Soon, the river narrows and we enter a canyon with numerous fun rapids. Exhilarating slides and big wave trains empty into calm pools where we can pause to take in the spectacular canyon scenery. Eventually we arrive at "Bassin des Murrailles" (the "Basin of Murals") where the gorge spills into a small lake surrounded by cliffs and cascading streams.
Over the course of the trip we encounter several unnrunable rapids around which we 'portage' all of our equipment. Guides take care of the rafts and heavier items and everybody takes part with the drybags and smaller items within their own level of comfort. We plan for extra time at these spots to rest and explore the areas around the falls.
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Camping in comfort
Each camp has its own character and allows us different vantage points of the river valley. We set up tents on beaches and flat rock ledges and collect driftwood for a fire. Guides prepare ‘happy hour’ and you can change into dry clothes, relax with a book, take a swim, or go fishing.
Experienced anglers will rejoice in the quality of speckled (brook) trout fishing in the evenings and early mornings. We also bring along several fly fishing rods and guides will teach those interested how to flycast.
Meals are delicious, wholesome, and plentiful. We cook sauces on a stove, grill meats and vegetables over open fire, and bake desserts in a dutch oven. We use as many fresh, locally bought ingredients as possible: produce from a greenhouse near Sept-Iles, organic Quebec farmed cheeses and meats, and wild caught seafood from Matane and Havre-St-Pierre. Some imported items still make it in...we have a soft spot for wines from the world over.
Evenings are relaxed with a crackling fire and a pot of fresh picked Labrador Tea as we settle in for nights under the starry northern sky. August is the time for meteor showers and if we’re lucky, dazzling displays of Northern Lights.
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Grand Finale
Our final camp is at the magnificent Grande Chute, a powerful 30 meter (90 foot waterfall). Awaking after our fifth night on the river we enjoy breakfast and a relaxing morning taking in our last moments in these spectacular surroundings. Today we will get picked up by the float planes and return to Havre Saint Pierre. The comfortable seaside accommodations provide the perfect atmosphere to ease back into 'civilization'.
Dinner is spent recounting stories and memories from our incredible week and discussing plans for future adventures. In the morning we say our goodbyes before heading onwards. Those flying out of Sept Iles this afternoon will depart after breakfast and we can stop along the drive for souvenirs and final photos of the North Shore.
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