Introduction:

I was smitten long ago. The allure of paddling Lake Superior was whetted by the tales of many earlier travelers (Canadian canoe icon Bill Mason), mediums (coffee table books (Joanie and Gary McGuffin - Superior: Journeys on an Inland Sea), and music (feted Gordon Lightfoot: Edmond Fitzgerald, Wade Hemsworth: On Pukusaka River, the Wild Goose, Dave Hadfield: Jackpine) all of who spoke of her praises. The vast waters promised to offer a challenging paddle mixed with wild beauty. Finally life offered a sliver of time - two precious weeks - four of us planned the trip in two canoes.

However, a last minute shoulder injury forced Doug to cancel thus we were three. How to handle the odd numbers? Our friend George generously offered us the use of his sea kayak…as fearless (or perhaps foolish) white water canoeists, we figured the skill transfer to flat water kayaking would be a cinch to learn and jumped at his offer.

We knew time would be tight. The Pukaskwa Park guide recommended at least 10 days on the water for a comfortable trip. This budgeted 1 in 4 days with no paddling, due to bad weather. With only six working days off wrapped by the weekends, we had a total of 10 days including 3 days of driving thus 7 or 8 days paddling. I crossed my fingers and prayed to Misshepezhieu for good weather…

Full of vim and optimism, we excitedly departed late May to paddle the 180 km between Hattie Cove and Michipicoten Harbour. Here is our story...