Wabakimi Eco-Service Expedition

Survey islands and peninsulas of the boreal forest looking for signs of caribou calving activity on this citizen science expedition in the remote wilderness of Ontario, Canada! Known as the “grey ghosts of Wabakimi”, boreal woodland caribou are a threatened species under the Species at Risk Act and need large undisturbed areas of boreal forest to thrive. These surveys will be used in a report on the health of Ontario’s native forests published each year by The Friends of Wabakimi organization.

This is truly an expedition of epic proportions, portaging from lake to lake, and canoeing waterways that have not been used in recent times. We will encounter wild river rapids and dense portages on this very physically and mentally demanding expedition. A float plane will fly us into our entry lake, where we’ll paddle 8 to 12 miles per day, through all weather conditions, for 7 to 9 days.

This expedition is NOT for everyone. To ensure each member of the team meets the rigorous requirements for a trip of this caliber, your application will be reviewed first by trip leader Jamie, then by The Friends of Wabakimi organization.  Minimum requirements for applicants are:

• 17 years old (minors must be accompanied by parent/ gaurdian, both the adult and teen must apply and will be considered as candidates under the same criteria as any other participant. Parent will be required to complete an additional waiver for the teen)
• A minimum of 2 wilderness paddling experiences, each at least 5 days long, preferably more
• Be a member of Friends of Wabakimi. Please plan to become a member prior to submitting your application.
• Completion of the required application in full
• Ability to complete all required trainings ahead of expedition

If you are selected as a member of the team, you will be required to complete a series of trainings–online and in-person, including readings, lecture and hands-on. All training is required and included in the cost of the expedition.

Please contact Jamie for more trip details! info@crawdaddyoutdoors.com or 319-352-9129

What’s Included: 

Experienced wilderness leadership, required training materials, transportation from Waverly, IA to Armstrong Ontario and back, float plane flights, all meals, canoe, paddle, PFD, first aid kit, GPS units and safety gear. 

Tents and sleeping gear, etc can be provided if needed.

We do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions and preferences. Upon sign-up, you will receive a short questionnaire, to share these needs with us.

Activities: 

Canoe packing, float plane, citizen science

Skill Level:

Experienced wilderness canoeist, canoeing rapids. We will camp and paddle in all weather conditions–rain or shine, hot or cold, windy or still.

Accommodations:

Wilderness tent camping, we will stay at a lodge on first and last night

Not Included:

Items of a personal nature

Registration:

Limited to 7 people. A minimum of 3 registrants is required to embark on the expedition. 

Interested in signing up for this trip? Contact Jamie to begin the application process. info@crawdaddyoutdoors.com or 319-352-9129

Price: $2,200

Cancellation:

Due to the nature of this trip, cancellations will be handled one by one. Our normal Trip Cancellation Policy does not apply.