The Hood River – August 1980
Wilberforce Falls
The 400 kilometre-long Hood River starts near the NWT border and ends at Arctic Sound near the community of Bathurst Inlet. The river is above the Arctic Circle and tree line.
The Hood is one of the barren lands premiere scenic rivers featuring a number of canyons, mountainous terrain, and the spectacular Wilberforce Falls – the tallest falls in the Arctic. There’s an abundance of wildlife including wolves, bears, muskoxen and caribou.
There are many challenging rock-strewn rapids to navigate along with formidable cascades, waterfalls, and some lengthy portages. Wilberforce Falls drops into a steep high gorge that runs for 3 kilometres. Getting around it involved one of the longest portages of our entire trip – 7 kilometres.
On Franklin’s first journey to the Coppermine, he came back up the Hood River on his way to Fort Enterprise. He cached some equipment and papers near Wilberforce Falls but the cache has never been discovered. At the Falls, we spent some time searching for it but nothing turned up.
Here are stories from three of the canoe team, Robert Duemling, David Silcox and John Gow.
On the Hood by Robert Duemling
As I was preparing to leave the American Embassy in Ottawa after four productive and pleasant years, I received an unusual invitation from a canoe group. Would I like to go on a white-water canoeing trip above the Arctic Circle? What better way to say goodbye to a circle of close Canadian friends. More..
Wilberforce Falls by David Silcox
With four kilometres to cover in two trips per team, we would each hike 12 kilometres. First thing in the morning each team took their canoe and heaviest pack and struck out. Bob and I last in line.The other three pairs marched resolutely over the hill and all the way down to the put in. I had a different thought. More..
Straight Lining Wilberforce Falls by John Gow
With four kilometres to cover in two trips per team, we would each hike 12 kilometres. First thing in the morning each team took their canoe and heaviest pack and struck out. Bob and I last in line.The other three pairs marched resolutely over the hill and all the way down to the put in. I had a different thought. More..
Hood River Team – August 1980
L-R: Peter Stollery, Tim Kotcheff, David Silcox, Craig Oliver, Bob Duemling, John Gow, Ted Johnson, John Godfrey.
On the Hood
Back L-R: Peter Stollery, Ted Johnson, Bob Duemling, Craig Oliver, John Godfrey
Front L-R: David Silcox, Tim Kotcheff, John Gow.