Talk:Back River
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- Canoe trip
- By canoe, the Back River constitutes a long (approx. 1100 km) and difficult voyage. At least 35 days of hard work by strong and experienced arctic (duo) canoeists are needed (8 to 9 hours of work per day). For instance, the Back is much more arduous than the Kazan River. Many rapids end in dense "rock gardens" rendering portaging often mandatory. Such portages must be conducted on bare rocks and boulders of which one out of ten proves unstable. There is a 1.5 km portage after Beechy Lake. (One must use a compass and cut across the interior of the curve formed by the river. That is the right bank.) If Escape rapids are portaged on the right bank, a 2 km walk is necessary. This is immediately followed by 700 meters (approx.) of easy white water and a further 500 meters (approx.) portage. Escape rapids are aptly named because thereafter very many rapids can be run as the river becomes more "usual". Canoeists then get the feeling of having "escaped". Water level permitting Sandhill rapids are navigated on the left bank, Wolf rapids on the right.
- In 2006, the source of the river could be reached by floatplane from Yellowknife, N.W.T. At the end of canoe the trip a bush plane (on wheels) could be called in by satellite phone from Baker Lake, Nunavut (Baker Lake Lodge) for a landing in a prearranged spot in the tundra.
- Fishing is very good. Wildlife abounds: Cariboos, muskoxen, wolves, and occasional brown(grizzly) bears wolverine and arctic hares. In the vicinity of the Arctic ocean one enters into polar bear country. Bear spray is recommenced as a protection against all bears.
- No trees however small are to be found along the Back River. Therefore, fuel must be brought along for cooking. A climbing cooking tent is highly recommended to shield the stove from the ever blowing arctic wind. This will save much time and fuel. It is recommended to have navigated Garry Lake by August 8, as the weather might thereafter deteriorate markedly. Along this river, any capsizing at a certain distance from the shore can easily conclude in hypothermia and death. An unattended canoe must at all times be solidly tied up and weighted down as high winds might suddenly develop at any time and blow it in the river. A tent of average quality will simply not do. A climbing tent capable of resisting gale force winds is mandatory. A spray deck-equipped canoe is strongly recommended both for lakes and rapids.
