Bloodvein River, Canada

Day 9: Rapid 65 – Rapid 78 (29km)

Breaking camp is now a well-oiled process; tents down, kit packed away, breakfast eaten, boats loaded and away we go again! The weather was a bit kinder today, back to more sunshine albeit with some headwind throughout the day, pushing Force 4 at times.

The first rapid appeared within 50m of camp, followed by more flat sections with grade-one ripples.

Taking the North route with the hope of water levels staying up.

Then came rapid 70! This was technically a Grade 1, but experience has taught us that their grading system is open to “interpretation”. It turned out to be a steep V drop-in, then avoid the holes and stoppers just below – making it more of a grade 3- than a grade1!

Nikki & Martin ran it first taking the river left the route of the vee, clipping the tail of the boat on a rock, which caused some more excessive “flexing” of the boat, but it held together. Ian & Graham then ran it on the right side of the vee, creating a wet ride for Ian at the bow!

Mike and I decided to use the dryer tactic of lining the boat down, especially as we were becoming more proficient at it!

Next came number 71: Manitou Rapids – made famous in Ray Goodwin’s video as the rapid that nearly killed him. For us, with our water level, it was relatively nondescript.

Next came Kashaweposenatak rapid (72) which was a Do Not Run. This was located in a well-burnt area of the river. The portage consisted of a 60m carry over fallen burnt trees and rocks, followed by a quick paddle across a pool and then another 65m carry over rocks. We stopped for elevenses and discussed the possible fantasy lines (which you would probably need a kayak for)!