Trip Summary

Early on the morning of June 25th a crew of 11 members of Troop 810 left for Northern Tier's Base in Bissett, Manitoba. Our first day was spent traveling to Winnipeg where we used the afternoon to see the sites of downtown and then stay overnight in a hotel. In the morning we had a hearty breakfast and then drove North to the town of Bissett. About 2 1/2 hours into our journey we stopped at a Subway in the town of Powerview-Pine Falls and then headed to a nearby park to enjoy our lunch. After lunch we continued our drive and in no time at all we pulled into the canoe base. Once at the base we met our interpreter, Rusty, and took a uniformed group photo in front of the base entrance sign. Rusty then assigned us cabins for the night and we changed into more comfortable clothes to go through gear issue, training, trek mapping and medical review. Supper was served in the Dining Pavilion and followed by a safety briefing. We took it easy the rest of the evening and turned in for a good night's sleep.

On June 27th we awoke early to pack up all our gear and then had breakfast. Afterwards we hiked over to Blue Water Aviation to await our next flight on a float plane. Another group photo was taken at the docks with the float plane as a back drop. Our group was large enough that we needed two planes for the trip to Scout Lake. Upon arrival we pulled out canoes from the cache, loaded up, and began our journey. It was a beautiful day and the group made good progress paddling. Along the way Rusty pointed out a pictograph on a rock outcropping that could of been featured on Ancient Aliens. After a while we pulled over to the shoreline to have lunch. With bellies full we continued to the first of several portages along the 5 day journey. At one point on Noname Lake we hit a head wind that slowed us down, but everyone pulled their weight to get through. Our first campsite was on David Lake. There were some storms since last season and the campsite had quite a few downed trees. As a service project we cleared trees from part of the campsite before setting up camp. Supper followed and along with the regular menu we were treated to some Walleye that Rusty had caught just before coming ashore. All in all a great first day on the water.

The next day we woke up early and to packed up camp. Once on the water we stopped to have breakfast with the canoes pulled together. The day was a little overcast, but comfortable. Today's trek would take us down the rest of David Lake. Along the way there were several small portages with one that ended near a picturesque waterfall. Right around lunch time our campsite at Kawaseecheewonk Falls otherwise know as Four Corners came into view. After a quick meal and setting up camp many people went fishing. Supper was a little delayed due to some rain. Once supper was ready everyone huddled under the dining fly to eat. We would have Northern Pike and Walleye with supper. Clean up took longer than normal too, but was done before long. With the weather still a little dreary most went to bed early.

For the start of day three we would be taking a day trip via Kawaseecheewonk Lake to Atik Bay and returning to our site at Four Corners. It was a clear morning and the lake was like glass. You could see the reflection of the shoreline and sky in the water. It was ideal weather and made for great picture taking along our route. While paddling we saw one other group from Northern Tier getting ready to head the opposite direction. This would be the only other people we saw on our entire trip. There were a lot of miles to cover today, but the canoes moved easily since they empty of everything except the necessities. At Atik Bay we were treated to another set of pictographs. There was some good fishing on the way back to camp and just about every canoe had a line in the water. Mr. Brown hooked a northern pike that was so large it broke his pole, but with a little ingenuity he still reeled it in and put in the boat. Another good supper with fish on the menu.

On day four we woke just after daybreak, packed our gear, and headed onto the water to have breakfast. After some discussion it was decided to alter our route. Today we would travel South on Kawaseecheewonk Lake through Beaver Damnation to end up at a campsite on Taskapakawee Lake. Enroute we had a few sprinkles of rain, but the weather was decent for the most part. To get to Beaver Damnation we went through a marsh area that had almost a water pathway through it that was fun to travel. At each Beaver Dam we would pull out the canoe and get out one at a time, stand on the dam or shoreline, then put the canoe back in on the other side of the dam and get in. It took a while and by the end of the trip everyone was ready for a break. We arrived at the campsite around 1:00pm and everyone was very hungry so lunch was the first order of business. After setting up camp, each person relaxed in their own fashion. Supper was served later and clean up went smoothly. In the evening there was fishing, card playing, and a small campfire.

The schedule for day five was a short paddle to Heartbreak portage followed by another short paddle to our final campsite on Scout Lake. We had been talking about and working up to this portage the whole trip. Heartbreak is a challenging portage that is 3/4 of a mile long. The first 1/3 is relatively easy going over land, but the last 2/3 goes through a bog with waist deep mud. It was difficult, but believe it or not the entire crew worked well together and enjoyed the experience. Heartbreak is one of those things in life you can talk about and say with satisfaction that you completed. It is good clean fun in the mud! The trip through Heartbreak took about 3 hours and by the end we were all smiling at our accomplishment. After the portage we paddled to our final campsite where we cleaned off ourselves, the canoe, and any gear that needed it. We had a simple lunch and relaxed the rest of the day. A few of us woke up in the middle of the night to see a sky filled with stars.

The last day of the trek was a quick paddle to the canoe cache and dock where the float plane would pick us up. We arrived early and spent the morning playing Coup (card game) while waiting for the plane. When the plane landed and docked a crew just starting their trek off loaded and we climb aboard for the trip back to Bissett. After a short flight we grabbed our gear and hiked back to the base. Then it was time to clean all the gear we were issued and return it to storage for the next group that needs it. People took all their personal gear and hung anything that needed to dry on the line. We lucked out with a warm sunny day that make quick work of any wet gear. Showers followed by a filling lunch in the dining pavilion were next. After lunch we went to the trading post for souvenirs and a trip to the store in Bissett for some ice cream. When we returned to the base Rusty brought out his laptop and we were able to share pictures. After supper we had a campfire and received our Northern Tier, Duty to God, and Heartbreak patches. There was also an opportunity to brand an article of clothing with a Northern Tier branding iron. Just before dusk people headed off to bed. A short while later we heard a bunch of fireworks going off. Unknown to us the town was having fireworks celebration for the 150th Canada Day.

On our final day we packed up our gear and loaded the cars. Then had a breakfast of bagels, cereal, fruit and milk before the drive back to Winnipeg. For our last meal together we had lunch at Montana's BBQ restaurant. It was an excellent meal and great way to wrap up the trip. After lunch we went to the Airport to await our plane and head on home. With the time change and flight time we would not arrive at the Cleveland Airport until just before 11pm. The canoeing enthusiasts for this trip were Ben, Harrison, Kyle, Luke, Noah, Sean, John, James, Mr. Brown, Mr. Kimatian, and Mr. Makowski.

Northern Tier 2017 Photo Album