Cambrian Survival Expedition 2008 to Nova Scotia, Canada
To paddle into the wilderness is to experience such joy, such freedom, such peace.... Whose heart would not race with excitement at the thought of loading their canoe and paddling bravely in to the unknown?
For the earliest explorers in North America, the vast wilderness that lay before them offered an unparalleled opportunity for adventure. The trails that they blazed opened up the continent and the tales they left behind them continue to inspire and stimulate us today. For the likes of Lewis and Clark, Mackenzie, Thompson, Kelsey and numerous others, travel by canoe was often the best way to push deep into the interior.
We aim to celebrate and continue this spirit of adventure by undertaking a canoe expedition into the depths of the Kejimkujik National Park and the adjoining Tobeatic Wilderness Area in Nova Scotia, Canada. Kejimkujik is the only inland National Park in maritime Canada and features abundant lakes and rivers ideal for canoeing. The lush woodlands and gently rolling landscapes are home to a large variety of wildlife, including bear, coyote, white tailed deer, moose, bobcat and beaver. The park contains historic canoe routes, portages and many beautiful hiking trails.
Canoeing in autumn
© Parks Canada / Peter Hope
The indigenous people, the Mi'kmaq (pronounced migmaw), have also inhabited this area for several thousands of years and have left their mark. There are petroglyphs in various parts of the park depicting activities undertaken by Mi'kmaq men, women and children. For them, the canoe was a vital part of their everyday activity. We shall be travelling along waterways and paths used by the Mi'kmaq for thousands of years and yet hardly travelled by anyone today.
Of special note, 2008 marks the centenary of Albert Bigelow Paine's famous journey in this area, celebrated in his well-known book, The Tent Dwellers. During this trip, he travelled to many of the same areas that you will visit and you will be able to gaze upon a landscape seemingly unchanged since he wrote about it.
A backcountry campsite with equipment
© Parks Canada / Peter Hope
Kejimkujik Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness are wilderness jewels just waiting to be discovered. Over 75% of the wilderness backcountry is only accessible by canoe or hiking trails. This means the expedition will be entirely independent and totally self sufficient. It promises to be a once in a lifetime adventure and a chance to relive the days when wilderness skills were all-important and travel by canoe was king.
| Note: | You do not require any canoeing ability or previous wilderness experience as everything you need to know will be taught to you. |
| Dates: | Training Weekend (UK) 19-23 September 2008 |
| Expedition (Canada) 04-18 October 2008 | |
| Note: | The training weekend will take place at Bala in Wales. Attendance at this is compulsory. |