Bloodvein River, Canada

Day 10: Rapid 78 – Lagoon Run (24km)

by “Martin Aldridge”

After the morning coffee watching the morning view, and now with regular drone flight done, time to pack up camp.

Day 10 started with some big rapids. Ankuasi Falls was a grade 5 do not run. A short 5-metre lift over past the drop into a nice little pool and we were able to launch into the run-out.

Next up was Namay Falls, another grade 5 do not run to the right of an island. The left of the island was supposed to be a 5 metre portage but the water level was a little low and the portage a little drier and longer than 5 metres. However, it was a beautiful spot for elevenses with a view of Namay Falls across the river, with a Bald Eagle keeping us company.

The river then came to a split. The North channel detours directly North for a couple of kilometres before turning back Southwest for another couple of kilometres. The South channel was a much shorter but smaller and narrower route. We opted to play it safe and go North. We had plenty of time. There were a few easy grade 1-2 rapids along the way.

The two channels merge again just before an island that marks Namay Rapids. To the North of the island, another grade 5 do not run. However south of the island turned out to be a gem.

We rounded the corner to Namay Rapids and spotted some people camping at the top. They were a family of four who had paddled up from the get-out and had been camping there for a couple of days. We couldn’t blame them, it was a beautiful spot and Namay Rapids, consisting of three grade 2-3 waves and wave trains, turned out to be a great, fun rapid that would have been great to stay and play on.