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July 16, 2011 - Chibiabos Lake to High Dam
We woke up to what looked like promised to be a hot day, and we were having a tough time getting enough water filtered to fill all the bottles. A French toast breakfast was served by John after the Coffee Refrain was performed of course. We were planning on a 25 mile day that included 9 portages, and we would be getting on the Nipissing River today.
John has coffee down to a science.
Another big breakfast.
John making the second helping.
I have been neglecting one aspect of the Meanest Link Part One trip, the snack situation. Along the lines of the Coffee Refrain, we had developed the Clif Bar Conundrum. Every morning while the food was cooking and people were packing up their gear the day’s ration of GORP and bars was set out. We stopped for a lunch at some point each day but we often went for 3, 4 or even 5 hours of paddling between major meals. The energy bars, GORP and water helped fuel us along.
After a week of this however we had developed a bit of a love/hate relationship with Clif Bars , which we seemed to have an overabundance of. So the conundrum was this, even as we came to dislike having to eat the Clif Bars to get us through the day, we would all go running to the pile of Clif Bars each morning to try and get what each of us thought was the least offensive of the flavours. You didn’t want to eat them all day, but you sure didn’t want to be the last one to get your share!
The daily snack ration.
The day was the same as many before it and what we were growing used to. The notable event today was Jim Black getting his nickname. Getting out for the Indian Pipe Lake to West Koko Lake portage he thought he was stepping out onto land but ended up sinking thigh deep in the slime. Henceforth to be known as “Jimmy Blacklegs”.
Chibiabos Lake to Indian Pipe Lake.
"Jimmy Blacklegs"
Indian Pipe Lake to West Koko Lake.
Big Bob Lake to Nipissing River.
After a good laugh we carried on, reaching Big Bob Lake which I thought was a very nice lake. As we canoed over to the start of the Nipissing River we saw an osprey with its young. The start of the Nip portage was choked with logs and is quite different than the other end where you enter the river valley. We were all excited as we got on the Nipissing River thinking that now we would be travelling, just cruising down the river, going downstream for a change. But then the alders and river blockages started, crushing our enthusiasm for going downstream. Almost.
Nipissing River where it leaves Big Bob lake.
Starting on the Nipissing River.
Follow the Scarletts!
Nipissing River to Nipissing River. We saw a lot of these.
I liked the meandering grassy river punctuated here and there with rocky blockages and downed giant pines. At a bend in the river Jim and I heard and then saw a Red Tailed Hawk soaring overhead. Then we were into the alders which shrunk the water you had available to paddle in, quite often you were getting scratched by the branches as you went. Other times it was like you were canoeing through a tunnel, the alders growing completely overhead. At one bend we startled a heron, but we weren’t seeing a lot of larger animals still.
Rocky stretch on the Nipissing River.
Nipissing River to Nipissing River.
Jim eyes the enclosing alders approach.
Pretty rock.
Markus and Jeffrey, who were in the lead, finally saw a moose that wandered off into the bush before the rest of us caught up. Lunch was eaten at the site of a large fallen pine that blocked the river. We had a bit of fun while we took a break. A week in the woods can have a strange effect on some people.
River blockage, one of many.
Wind damaged Pine.
John showing off again.
Day Seven - still smiling.
We trudged onwards, the day was hot again and there was little shade to be had while paddling down the river. Just pass Grass Lake we made a rest stop at the camp site. There was a large lean-to there and we snapped some photos of it while taking a break. After we hit the water again we clued in that Mark might be suffering from heat stroke.
Nipissing River to Nipissing River.
A narrow stretch of the Nipissing.
Grass Lake.
A large brush leanto.
Mark said this stretch looked familiar.
We finally made it to High Dam, but those busy bees the Scarlett’s thought we should get a jump on the next day. We carried the canoes to the end of the portage to avoid having to do it tomorrow morning, when we’re fresh and full of energy.
There were some old lumber days artifacts along the portage and we checked them out a bit while getting camp setup and going in the river for the obligatory clean up. While standing in the water the fishes would come up and nibble at the hairs on your legs, an interesting feeling but one that made Markus think he was being attacked by leeches. He seems to have a bit of a leech phobia.
Dinner was something called Annie’s Mac and Cheese, not sure who she is but it was a tasty meal. When time and the bugs permitted we would sit around the fire and read aloud some passages from various outdoor related books, this evening Markus read a little something. I think he got the honour since he was lucky enough to spot a moose again.
Some sort of logging remains.
Iron chains.
One less tomorrow.
The hammock grouping was fairly close together due to the tree arrangement. In fact Jeffrey and I ended up sharing a tree for our top ropes. Not a good idea since the tree was too small for it and every time one of us shifted in the night it sent the other hammock bouncing as well. At least we had the sound of the rapids to lull us back to sleep.
Hammock arrangement.
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©2011 SmedleyCo