L'Esprit de Champlain Arriveé
Direction Ontario, a group of 18 persons retracing the footsteps of Champlain on his historic voyage of discovery in 1614, arrive on the beach at Dugas Bay to begin La Vase Portages. Etienne Brule had travelled through with Huron hosts earlier in 1611. While La Vase Portages grew to be the major commercial route through the area, Champlain and his party of four canoes actually traversed North Bay on the land trail from Armstrong Beach to Lake Nipissing.
With a pack full of rain coats, bug jackets and bug spray the expected thunder storms and clouds of mosquitoes did not materialize making for a great days paddling.
Friends of La Vase Portages have been keeping the trails in great shape. Anyone considering travelling the portages is advised to check with Friends of La Vase Portages first for trail conditions and permission to cross private property which is an ongoing issue.
Not Called La Vase, or The Mud Portages, for Nothing.
Knee deep mud and swamp goo welcomed the group as they crossed Sucking Swamp with eight canoes and assorted gear including two photographers, a videographer and a sound man. Champlain should have had such coverage!
Late afternoon sunshine and a light breeze kept the bugs away. The one mile stretch down Cooper's Lake continues to be the most pleasant section of the route. This is the last remaining pristine section of the route and has in recent years been the target of expanding aggregate extraction in the area.
Pictured below, roughly from left to right, Bernie, Kelly, Martin, Nicole, Chris, Yves, Andre, Karl, Isabel, Claire, and Francis.
Merci beaucoup pour un bon journee dans La Vase Portages!
