I've watched a few paddlers over the years, including my hero Bill Mason. But few if any have ever shown the control of the boat like you did in this film, truly brilliant. I'm not sure I'd want to run that on my own, in fact I couldn't, I'd be too busy looking at that landscape to be 'safe'.
Usually I film my first time on a section of river. This one I put much more time and effort in order to be ready. Stated hiking along and filming every meter of river about 4 years ago. Hours of footage, at different water levels. This past June, I took multiple practice runs on different parts of this section. Felt quite confident to try make a video. Still made plenty of mistakes, and hit more than a few rocks, but knew the lines to run. This is my favorite part of the National Parks, the very upper portions of the river, just east of the continental divide. Bill Mason was the best, still is. Thanks very much, take care.
Great video. I enjoy all of your videos. They bring back memories of my river trips back in the 1970s and '80s. I'm older now and due to bad knees etc. I don't paddle anymore, but your trips help me relive my experiences. In this video you reference your 'river guide'. I'm curious as to which guide you use. I still have my series of guides published in the 1960s. Michael
Thanks very much Michael. Yeah I got a late start at canoeing, and I hope my knees hold up for at least a few more years. The guide book I'm referring to is "Canadian Rockies Whitewater - Central Rockies", by Stuart Smith. It's from about 1994/95. It's been out of print for many years now, and I paid many, many times the original price for it. But lots of good info in there. There is a "Southern Rockies" edition as well. Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate the comment. Take care.
That's some skillful canoeing, thank you for taking us along. Beautiful scenery, and the NSR sure had a pretty light blue to it. Imagine what canoeing would have been like for the explorers, never knowing what was around the bend.
Hey thanks very much. Yeah the NSR is gorgeous up in Banff National Park. An exciting river with tight turns and nice rapids. It would have been fantastic to be an explorer back then!!
Wow dude, super clean lines! You've got such great control of your boat, half the time I wanted a second camera to see how you were moving and balancing, had a smile on the whole time watching. Thanks man!
Wow! Fantastic video Nick, thank you, and some excellent paddling. You have improved greatly over the past 4 years and have command of that big boat in whitewater. Lot's of good saves around those sleepers and midstream rocks. Really showed the speed and power of the river from your boat. I was thinking the same thing as you stated, I wanted to be there in my boat running the river too but I think it would take a third boater to be safer in the class III & IV, a ropeman, a chaser and the runner, eh? I agree, this is your best one yet.
Thanks very much. I first hiked along this run 4 or 5 years ago, with the faint hope that maybe I could paddle it someday. About 2 years ago, it started to look like a real possibility... so I took video of every turn, drop, rapid, eddy, boulder, everything really. Hours of footage. Then got my hands on an old out-of-print guidebook that describes most of this reach. This year I just had to wait for ideal flow, and a nice sunny day. Very, very happy to get this section done. My plan was to run the class IV, but I just couldn't get enough nerve. Multiple paddlers would be ideal. Thanks for taking the time. Take care.
Thanks very much Jim. This was an incredibly exciting run, very enjoyable paddling. I had been hiking and scouting this stretch for 4 years, with the hope that I could one day run it. So I was very satisfied with completing it. Thanks again, take care.
what a great time on the river!! some pretty rough water in spots, must have been a lot of work going around, but looks worth it// thanks so much for taking us along
Thanks very much. Yeah it was a lot of fun, really exciting water to paddle. It's been a really rainy summer here, this day was the nicest day so far. Thanks for taking the time. Take care.
Damn, how I miss paddling in Alberta. Thanks for the nostalgia kick, though the rivers in the parks don't change too much with time. I used to spend every weekend from May till September kayaking in the Rockies - would love to go back and do more canoeing sometime.
Hey it's my pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed. Yeah the rivers in the Rockies are great, I plan on paddling there much more. I have watched plenty of your videos over the years... they are great, and you guys really got out to some amazing creeks and rivers. Thanks for watching, cheers.
Thanks very much. I think I was smiling most of the time paddling too. It's a very scenic part of the park, near the continental divide. A nice clear sky and bright sun made for a good trip. Thanks, take care.
Yeah it's about as pristine as this river gets, beautiful water. It added a lot to the overall experience. Thanks for taking the time to watch, take care.
LOVE THIS VIDEO !!! Wish I could be there !!!! Quick note : too bad that @ 14:12 there's a small drop so you couldn't take it on as otherwise it looks so nice to paddle through !!!!! I went down the Bonaventure river in Gaspésie, Qc a few years ago and I wish there could have been more r2-r3 like in your video. Thank you for sharing your videos !!!!!!!! Maybe one day you could make a trip to Gaspésie, Quéebec and go down the Bonaventure river upstream of the 60-66 km mark !!! Most people are starting from the 60-66 km mark as upstream areas are recommended for seasoned canoe veterans and experienced kayakers. Keep up the videos !!!!
Thanks very much Frank. Yes, this is an exciting section of river to canoe. I had a blast out there. Looks like a ton of great canoeing in Quebec from what I have seen. Would love to make it out there someday. Thanks again, take care.
Funny enough, while driving the big bend yesterday after finishing our hike, Marty and I were talking about your canoe videos down the North Sask, and all the ideas hes got with his new packraft from your videos. Looks like a beauty day for a paddle! Your videos always make me wish I was more confident on water, able to tackle stuff like this, you see an entirely different view of the parks! Wicked stuff Nick!
Yeah I was stoked when Marty got his packraft. Hikers like you and him could really expand on your adventures by hitting the water too. This was possibly the nicest day of the summer so far, it was gorgeous... although I was sweating to death in my drysuit:) Was pretty wiped out afterwards. I heard your hike was great, looking forward to the videos. Thanks very much, take care.
Great video Nick. I was born and raised in Alberta but didn’t start ww paddling until I came out to Ontario. I’ve really enjoyed seeing just how different it is out west, not the drop and pool we have out here. Keep paddling!
Thanks very much. Yeah there are some nice rivers in western Alberta, particularly in the Rockies. Looks like some excellent paddling in Ontario from what I've seen. Hope you get out lots this summer, take care.
Thanks very much Larry. Yeah it's my favorite part of Banff National Park, just east of the continental divide, and just south of the Arctic/Hudson Bay divide. Thanks for watching.
Yeah some rock slides covered the river long ago, just the biggest rocks remain. I could see where the slide happened on the mountain. Let me know if you want to paddle around there sometime.
Close shot at 3:57 my heart stop for a second 😨 . Very impress by your skills . That river is the most scenic I've seen , so beautiful and dangerous at the same time . Glad I saw this video, thank's for taking time showing us that treasure Sylvain, Québec
Thanks very much Sylvain. Yes I think it is a beautiful river, especially these upper sections. I live 600-700 km downstream, where this same river is quite large, silty brown and very slow.... So these trips in the mountains are very, very enjoyable. Only one more up-river stretch to go, hopefully this year. Thanks for watching, and the nice comment. Take care.
@@nickharland3795 I'm not so sure I'd do that trip alone, just for safety reasons. When I was much younger, I guided guys fishing on the French River in northern Ontario and ran rapids in motorized boats regularly; The rule then was we always travelled in pairs (2 separate boats). That was before cell phones though. Thanks again :-)
Now that looked like fun! You seem to have great control too...dare I say you make it look easy. Almost like you can turn on a dime. Pulled into the Coleman day area 2 weeks ago because...well...you got to stop somewhere with your name on it!😋
Yeah, it was a ton of fun!! The canoe is very maneuverable, works well in a small river like this. Absolutely you had to stop there... and get your picture taken beside the Coleman Creek sign. I've been there quite a few times this year, it's a nice place for a lunch break. Thanks for watching, take care.
It is definitely a blast. Had been hoping/planning/practicing up for this trip for a few years now. Very happy to have paddled it. All of the paddling beside and level with the highway is quite easy. But I would recommend hiking/bushwhacking along all of the rapid sections, first 2km and last 3km, to see it for yourself. And to familiarize yourself with the portage take-out. It was an extremely fun paddle, I will be doing it again. Thanks for watching, take care.
Yeah it flows pretty swiftly for most of it. Definitely wouldn't want to make a big mistake. Haha, yeah I had no interest in paddling the falls. Thanks for watching Doug, appreciate you taking the time.
Did I see you at Coleman site on Sunday morning? There was a guy there with a blue pickup and a red canoe. I didn't stop to say hi because you usually have a yellow canoe. That and I was late for my meeting with Matt at the Nigel Trailhead, just above the big bend.
Yeah I went there Sunday morning to cook up a quick breakfast, and check the water level. Can't remember exactly, maybe 9:30 - 11:00, then left for big bend. I think there was one or two other vehicles in there, but I didn't see you. I camped out by Whirlpool Point and slept in as bit, so I was a bit rushed as well. I'm sure we'll cross paths at some point.
You sure picked a beautiful spot and crazy fast water lol close call with that boulder, i bet they could ruin your day real fast. You really got to paddle ahead of yourself on this river to prepare for what's ahead! good choice on the portage that was a crazy spot. you got some great control and mad skills with that canoe Nick. nicely done. this trip looks like the toughest one i seen so far. would a carbon fiber kayak paddle work better on a trip like this or no, just wondering, i guess it's hard to beat the durability of a good wooden paddle? enjoy camp you deserve it .. atb john
Hey thanks very much John. Yep rocks and boulders were definitely on my mind, always looking ahead. Could easily ruin the day, or season, I'd hate to wrap my canoe around one. I was using a carbon paddle on this trip, but the blade almost never appeared in camera view. Yes it's very good for trips like this with lots of rock, seems bullet-proof. The wood paddle is back-up, better used on bigger, deeper rivers. I hope to try a backpacking trip soon, weather permitting... finger's crossed. Thanks for the kind words, appreciate it John. Take care. Nick
Amazing video. I'm just starting as a paddler. I have to admit swamping a canoe scares me a bit but I'm also keen to improve my paddling skills. I guess once I get a decent drysuit, take some lessons and get out on the water I won't be able to progress LOL
Thanks again Cindy. Swamping a canoe can be scary, but is a part of the learning process. Having competent self-rescue skills is very important. A drysuit is important if in cold water for sure. With good lessons, I'm sure you will progress quickly.
Nice video! There's some tense stuff around the 11th minute that had me worried. The water is such a beautiful color there. Where I paddle on the North Saskatchewan it's a bit different. Thanks.
Thanks very much. There were a few spots that required scouting and attention to detail. Yeah I've been paddling sections on the upper river for a few years now, and still can't get over how pretty the water is. I hope get do a trip near Battleford or Prince Albert one of these summers. Take care.
Gorgeous scenery in Banff, love it. Fairly swift-moving water, I don't blame you for avoiding the rapids with the log jam at the end, looked a bit dangerous. Video quality looked really good and sharp, did you get a new camera or was it just good lighting. Anyway, an excellent video Nick.
Yeah it's my favorite part of Banff. Just south of Sunwapta Pass and the Jasper Park boundary. The whole valley is spectacular. I wanted to run that rapid, but it would probably not very smart with no assistance. Same camera, just lots of bright sunshine to work with... it's rained almost everyday here since the start of June. Thanks for taking the time, take care.
Very impressive Nick! You obviously have substantial command of paddling to avoid all those big boulders both above and close to the surface. Love the demonstrations of the sun surfing! Does your GoPro accept voice commands? To manage both the river and videoing is pretty amazing!
Thanks very much Doug. This was a very exciting run, loved it. The go-pro does have capability for voice command, but I'm too much of a dinosaur to use it. I just push the button manually. Thanks again, take care.
Thanks very much. The canyon and waterfall are about 500 meters upstream from the day use area. There is a pullout on the Hwy there, and a trail leading down to a footbridge. The waterfall/canyon is a short walk downstream from the bridge.
Thanks very much. Yeah there's a few spots I had to stop and scout, and overall it was an exciting paddle. Mark Lund's guidebook is the best for the most recent beta. It's available in many sports and camping stores in Alberta. I bought a couple out-of-print books used, that are also very helpful.
Love your videos on paddling, I watch them all and love them, I live in Edmonton so I love the idea of doing some of these trips to the rivers I have hiked to but not paddled yet. After doing the Michipikoten river and the Jacques Cartier river, along with some of the northern Lake Superior coast, I want to play in the mountains. What month did you do this trip in to ensure safe enough water levels?
Thanks very much Kevin, I appreciate that. Superior coast sounds great for paddling and tripping. Yeah the mountains are a fun place to paddle. Lots of exciting and scenic rivers to choose from. This trip was in mid-July, on a warm day. Probably a medium flow... made for good paddling. Only a couple of creeks have joined the river at this point, so the flow is totally dependent on glacial melt. Thanks again, take care.
@@nickharland3795 Another question for you Nick. When you are going for your paddles, how do you generally deal with your transportation? Do you drop your canoe upriver, drive downriver, and bike back up, or do you have a friend meet you, or something else? Transport is always a tricky part of organizing these river trips haha.
Hi Kevin, yeah for most day trips, I use my bike as you stated. For longer trips I use family, friends, or local shuttle services if available. It definitely can be tricky at times, especially for solo trips... But worth the effort. Take care.
Thanks. This was in mid-July on a hot day, and it seemed to be a nice medium flow. The flow is dependent on the glacier, and only a few small creeks at this point. June could be high water, so July and August are probably the best times to go. There is no gauge this far up-river, so you have to check the flow at the take-out.
Thanks very much. It's a Mad River M.E. 15.5' about 50lbs. I've owned it 5 years, originally built in 1988. It's the only WW canoe I've ever paddled, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I absolutely love it.
@@nickharland3795 Those 80's ME's got to be pretty flexible at midship especially the floor. Are you experiencing that Nick? They are great in bigger waters but are a bit hard to maneuver in those rocky streams. The design is a classic of course. About 90-91 they stiffened the Royalex a bit so those canoes built in the 90's and early 2000's I think are the best for whitewater. I don't know how they compare to today's materials. Again Nick, great run great video.
@@bdh3949 Thanks. It is flexible, but seems to work fine for me. I have nothing to compare it to, it's the only WW canoe I've ever paddled solo. I will be sticking with it for as long as it lasts... and definitely have some trips planned for bigger water. Thanks again, take care.
I like class III, and feel comfortable paddling them alone. I don't have much interest in class IV, and certainly wouldn't paddle it alone. Thanks for watching and commenting. Take care.
It's mentioned in the guidebook, I've looked at it briefly. I think there might be class III/IV in there. No plans as of yet. Saw your video yesterday, the river looked quite low. If I do go, I guess I won't take any bananas foster with me.
@@nickharland3795 I was out a week ago straight north from Nordegg up the trunk road. First time in there, very nice. The river seemed to have good flow, i wondered if it was normal or low, because of all the rain in the area. Nice little rapid run on your video.
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I've watched a few paddlers over the years, including my hero Bill Mason. But few if any have ever shown the control of the boat like you did in this film, truly brilliant.
I'm not sure I'd want to run that on my own, in fact I couldn't, I'd be too busy looking at that landscape to be 'safe'.
Usually I film my first time on a section of river. This one I put much more time and effort in order to be ready. Stated hiking along and filming every meter of river about 4 years ago. Hours of footage, at different water levels. This past June, I took multiple practice runs on different parts of this section. Felt quite confident to try make a video. Still made plenty of mistakes, and hit more than a few rocks, but knew the lines to run. This is my favorite part of the National Parks, the very upper portions of the river, just east of the continental divide. Bill Mason was the best, still is. Thanks very much, take care.
Face hurts from smiling so much. Great vid. Thanks Nick.
Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks very much Dennis.
Love these point of view vids. It's like I'm there. Working my way through your catalogue. Cheers.
Hey thanks very much Bryan. I hope you enjoy. Cheers to you.
Great video. I enjoy all of your videos. They bring back memories of my river trips back in the 1970s and '80s. I'm older now and due to bad knees etc. I don't paddle anymore, but your trips help me relive my experiences. In this video you reference your 'river guide'. I'm curious as to which guide you use. I still have my series of guides published in the 1960s.
Michael
Thanks very much Michael. Yeah I got a late start at canoeing, and I hope my knees hold up for at least a few more years. The guide book I'm referring to is "Canadian Rockies Whitewater - Central Rockies", by Stuart Smith. It's from about 1994/95. It's been out of print for many years now, and I paid many, many times the original price for it. But lots of good info in there. There is a "Southern Rockies" edition as well. Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate the comment. Take care.
Really enjoy your videos Nick. A couple of those rocks had me reaching to draw right here in my chair! hahaha...
Hey thanks very much Laurie. Haha, yeah plenty of rocks to be avoided in this stretch. Appreciate you taking the time, take care.
That's some skillful canoeing, thank you for taking us along. Beautiful scenery, and the NSR sure had a pretty light blue to it. Imagine what canoeing would have been like for the explorers, never knowing what was around the bend.
Hey thanks very much. Yeah the NSR is gorgeous up in Banff National Park. An exciting river with tight turns and nice rapids. It would have been fantastic to be an explorer back then!!
Wow dude, super clean lines! You've got such great control of your boat, half the time I wanted a second camera to see how you were moving and balancing, had a smile on the whole time watching. Thanks man!
Hey thanks very much Hank. This was an exciting run for sure. I'm glad you enjoyed as well. Take care.
Amazing video, one of my fav views so far!
Thanks very much. This was definitely one of my favorite trips so far.
Wow! Fantastic video Nick, thank you, and some excellent paddling. You have improved greatly over the past 4 years and have command of that big boat in whitewater. Lot's of good saves around those sleepers and midstream rocks. Really showed the speed and power of the river from your boat. I was thinking the same thing as you stated, I wanted to be there in my boat running the river too but I think it would take a third boater to be safer in the class III & IV, a ropeman, a chaser and the runner, eh? I agree, this is your best one yet.
Thanks very much. I first hiked along this run 4 or 5 years ago, with the faint hope that maybe I could paddle it someday. About 2 years ago, it started to look like a real possibility... so I took video of every turn, drop, rapid, eddy, boulder, everything really. Hours of footage. Then got my hands on an old out-of-print guidebook that describes most of this reach. This year I just had to wait for ideal flow, and a nice sunny day. Very, very happy to get this section done. My plan was to run the class IV, but I just couldn't get enough nerve. Multiple paddlers would be ideal. Thanks for taking the time. Take care.
Hey, nick what a float.... You and you canoe worked some magic on this run.... Awesome...
Thanks very much Jim. This was an incredibly exciting run, very enjoyable paddling. I had been hiking and scouting this stretch for 4 years, with the hope that I could one day run it. So I was very satisfied with completing it. Thanks again, take care.
what a great time on the river!! some pretty rough water in spots, must have been a lot of work going around, but looks worth it// thanks so much for taking us along
Thanks very much. Yeah it was a lot of fun, really exciting water to paddle. It's been a really rainy summer here, this day was the nicest day so far. Thanks for taking the time. Take care.
Phenomenal, Thanks for the ride I'll never be able to take..........! ! ! !
Yes, it was an exciting trip for sure. I'm glad that you enjoyed, thanks for taking the time. Take care.
Well done Nick! Beautiful area for sure.
Thanks very much. Yeah I love that part of the park. Take care.
Damn, how I miss paddling in Alberta. Thanks for the nostalgia kick, though the rivers in the parks don't change too much with time. I used to spend every weekend from May till September kayaking in the Rockies - would love to go back and do more canoeing sometime.
Hey it's my pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed. Yeah the rivers in the Rockies are great, I plan on paddling there much more. I have watched plenty of your videos over the years... they are great, and you guys really got out to some amazing creeks and rivers. Thanks for watching, cheers.
Smile on my face during the whole video ! Would not dare this solo.
Beautiful landscapes, and nice use of the eddy’s! You have skills.
Thanks very much. I think I was smiling most of the time paddling too. It's a very scenic part of the park, near the continental divide. A nice clear sky and bright sun made for a good trip. Thanks, take care.
Fantastic !!! 👍👍👍
Thanks Gary!!
Very relaxing to watch. I love this area.
Thanks very much Suzanne, I'm glad you enjoyed. Take care.
@@nickharland3795 you too. 😀
I’ve never done that section. It’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah it's about as pristine as this river gets, beautiful water. It added a lot to the overall experience. Thanks for taking the time to watch, take care.
LOVE THIS VIDEO !!! Wish I could be there !!!! Quick note : too bad that @ 14:12 there's a small drop so you couldn't take it on as otherwise it looks so nice to paddle through !!!!!
I went down the Bonaventure river in Gaspésie, Qc a few years ago and I wish there could have been more r2-r3 like in your video. Thank you for sharing your videos !!!!!!!! Maybe one day you could make a trip to Gaspésie, Quéebec and go down the Bonaventure river upstream of the 60-66 km mark !!! Most people are starting from the 60-66 km mark as upstream areas are recommended for seasoned canoe veterans and experienced kayakers. Keep up the videos !!!!
Thanks very much Frank. Yes, this is an exciting section of river to canoe. I had a blast out there. Looks like a ton of great canoeing in Quebec from what I have seen. Would love to make it out there someday. Thanks again, take care.
Great video Nick. One of the best little river runs I've watched.
Thanks very much Randy. Yeah it's an exciting river in the upper stretches. Really enjoyed it, had a blast. Take care.
Some tight spots there Nick , not much room for error . Great work .
Thanks very much. Yes it was a very exciting section of the river. I hope to go back there soon.
Funny enough, while driving the big bend yesterday after finishing our hike, Marty and I were talking about your canoe videos down the North Sask, and all the ideas hes got with his new packraft from your videos. Looks like a beauty day for a paddle! Your videos always make me wish I was more confident on water, able to tackle stuff like this, you see an entirely different view of the parks! Wicked stuff Nick!
Yeah I was stoked when Marty got his packraft. Hikers like you and him could really expand on your adventures by hitting the water too. This was possibly the nicest day of the summer so far, it was gorgeous... although I was sweating to death in my drysuit:) Was pretty wiped out afterwards. I heard your hike was great, looking forward to the videos. Thanks very much, take care.
Incredible. Congratulations on this experience
Thanks again very much. Yes this was a great experience. Had a blast out there. Take care.
YIKES!!!! 😳 Now l understand what a DROP is. I now understand what the word BRAVE means. YOU are BRAVE. I'm a new fan. Thank You for sharing. 🍃🌎🕊
Thanks again Sue. Yes there are a few tricky spots on this run, but a pleasure to paddle. I hope to go back there this summer.
Great video Nick. I was born and raised in Alberta but didn’t start ww paddling until I came out to Ontario. I’ve really enjoyed seeing just how different it is out west, not the drop and pool we have out here. Keep paddling!
Thanks very much. Yeah there are some nice rivers in western Alberta, particularly in the Rockies. Looks like some excellent paddling in Ontario from what I've seen. Hope you get out lots this summer, take care.
Nice! Wonderful color in water and challenging river for canoeing.
Thanks Asko. Yeah the water is very pretty up there. It was an exciting section of river to paddle. Thanks, take care.
That was one wild ride Nick! Beautiful too. Thanks for taking us along... I sure couldn't have paddled that.
Thanks very much Larry. Yeah it's my favorite part of Banff National Park, just east of the continental divide, and just south of the Arctic/Hudson Bay divide. Thanks for watching.
The man. The Legend. Nick Harland ladies and gentlemen.
Haha, you're funny Pablo, and too kind. Thanks buddy.
@@nickharland3795 man thats some paddling!! that section of the river looks pretty surreal with all those boulders!!
Yeah some rock slides covered the river long ago, just the biggest rocks remain. I could see where the slide happened on the mountain. Let me know if you want to paddle around there sometime.
Close shot at 3:57 my heart stop for a second 😨 . Very impress by your skills . That river is the most scenic I've seen , so beautiful and dangerous at the same time . Glad I saw this video, thank's for taking time showing us that treasure
Sylvain, Québec
Thanks very much Sylvain. Yes I think it is a beautiful river, especially these upper sections. I live 600-700 km downstream, where this same river is quite large, silty brown and very slow.... So these trips in the mountains are very, very enjoyable. Only one more up-river stretch to go, hopefully this year. Thanks for watching, and the nice comment. Take care.
Great video! Soooo relaxing. Thanks for the mini-vacation :-)
Thanks very much Scott. It was my pleasure, glad you enjoyed.
@@nickharland3795 I'm not so sure I'd do that trip alone, just for safety reasons. When I was much younger, I guided guys fishing on the French River in northern Ontario and ran rapids in motorized boats regularly; The rule then was we always travelled in pairs (2 separate boats). That was before cell phones though. Thanks again :-)
Now that looked like fun! You seem to have great control too...dare I say you make it look easy. Almost like you can turn on a dime.
Pulled into the Coleman day area 2 weeks ago because...well...you got to stop somewhere with your name on it!😋
Yeah, it was a ton of fun!! The canoe is very maneuverable, works well in a small river like this. Absolutely you had to stop there... and get your picture taken beside the Coleman Creek sign. I've been there quite a few times this year, it's a nice place for a lunch break. Thanks for watching, take care.
@@nickharland3795 yeah, when we pulled in there Marty ask another canoer if he or any of the guy's buddies were Nick. You weren't there.😁
Wow, hell of a ride!
Thanks Joe. Yeah it's an exciting section of the river.
Wow that looks like a blast, what a gorgeous section of river. Thanks for sharing Nick; I'm definitely going to do this trip one day!
It is definitely a blast. Had been hoping/planning/practicing up for this trip for a few years now. Very happy to have paddled it. All of the paddling beside and level with the highway is quite easy. But I would recommend hiking/bushwhacking along all of the rapid sections, first 2km and last 3km, to see it for yourself. And to familiarize yourself with the portage take-out. It was an extremely fun paddle, I will be doing it again. Thanks for watching, take care.
That’s a dope trip bro
Hey thanks very much. Take care.
Thanks a bunch for the speedy reply definitely looking for more Alberta trips now that BC is shut again
No worries. Happy paddling.
wow wow..wishing i was with you..but wow again..and thanks alot for the awesome ride eh :)
Hey my pleasure, thank you for watching.
A dump would mean a pick up 20 kms downriver. You sure wouldn't want to miss the eddy above the foot bridge. Great video.
Yeah it flows pretty swiftly for most of it. Definitely wouldn't want to make a big mistake. Haha, yeah I had no interest in paddling the falls. Thanks for watching Doug, appreciate you taking the time.
Incredible Rivers very nice videos
Thanks again Paul. This was a very exciting trip. I will be going back many times.
Sure is Great Paddling Along with ya, Nick Always enjoy the sights & sounds Be Well, Friend ! ATB T God Bless
Thanks very much Terry. Glad you could check it out. Take care.
Best one yet!!
Thanks again. Yes this was a really exciting trip, I had a blast out there. I will definitely be doing this one again.
Did I see you at Coleman site on Sunday morning? There was a guy there with a blue pickup and a red canoe. I didn't stop to say hi because you usually have a yellow canoe. That and I was late for my meeting with Matt at the Nigel Trailhead, just above the big bend.
Yeah I went there Sunday morning to cook up a quick breakfast, and check the water level. Can't remember exactly, maybe 9:30 - 11:00, then left for big bend. I think there was one or two other vehicles in there, but I didn't see you. I camped out by Whirlpool Point and slept in as bit, so I was a bit rushed as well. I'm sure we'll cross paths at some point.
I was there at 9:45 to take a pee break. I met Matt 10 minutes later. We drove in at the same time. Small world.
You sure picked a beautiful spot and crazy fast water lol close call with that boulder, i bet they could ruin your day real fast. You really got to paddle ahead of yourself on this river to prepare for what's ahead!
good choice on the portage that was a crazy spot. you got some great control and mad skills with that canoe Nick.
nicely done. this trip looks like the toughest one i seen so far. would a carbon fiber kayak paddle work better on a trip like this or no, just wondering, i guess it's hard to beat the durability of a good wooden paddle?
enjoy camp you deserve it ..
atb john
Hey thanks very much John. Yep rocks and boulders were definitely on my mind, always looking ahead. Could easily ruin the day, or season, I'd hate to wrap my canoe around one. I was using a carbon paddle on this trip, but the blade almost never appeared in camera view. Yes it's very good for trips like this with lots of rock, seems bullet-proof. The wood paddle is back-up, better used on bigger, deeper rivers. I hope to try a backpacking trip soon, weather permitting... finger's crossed. Thanks for the kind words, appreciate it John. Take care. Nick
Anther awesome video!
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed.
Amazing video. I'm just starting as a paddler. I have to admit swamping a canoe scares me a bit but I'm also keen to improve my paddling skills. I guess once I get a decent drysuit, take some lessons and get out on the water I won't be able to progress LOL
Thanks again Cindy. Swamping a canoe can be scary, but is a part of the learning process. Having competent self-rescue skills is very important. A drysuit is important if in cold water for sure. With good lessons, I'm sure you will progress quickly.
I’ve been waiting for another video!
Thanks Jamie, I hope you enjoyed.
Bravo Fun Guy!
Thanks again.
Nice video! There's some tense stuff around the 11th minute that had me worried. The water is such a beautiful color there. Where I paddle on the North Saskatchewan it's a bit different. Thanks.
Thanks very much. There were a few spots that required scouting and attention to detail. Yeah I've been paddling sections on the upper river for a few years now, and still can't get over how pretty the water is. I hope get do a trip near Battleford or Prince Albert one of these summers. Take care.
Gorgeous scenery in Banff, love it. Fairly swift-moving water, I don't blame you for avoiding the rapids with the log jam at the end, looked a bit dangerous. Video quality looked really good and sharp, did you get a new camera or was it just good lighting. Anyway, an excellent video Nick.
Yeah it's my favorite part of Banff. Just south of Sunwapta Pass and the Jasper Park boundary. The whole valley is spectacular. I wanted to run that rapid, but it would probably not very smart with no assistance. Same camera, just lots of bright sunshine to work with... it's rained almost everyday here since the start of June. Thanks for taking the time, take care.
Very impressive Nick! You obviously have substantial command of paddling to avoid all those big boulders both above and close to the surface. Love the demonstrations of the sun surfing! Does your GoPro accept voice commands? To manage both the river and videoing is pretty amazing!
Thanks very much Doug. This was a very exciting run, loved it. The go-pro does have capability for voice command, but I'm too much of a dinosaur to use it. I just push the button manually. Thanks again, take care.
Nice video of these canoe trip. can you view coleman canyon from the day use picnic area?
Thanks very much. The canyon and waterfall are about 500 meters upstream from the day use area. There is a pullout on the Hwy there, and a trail leading down to a footbridge. The waterfall/canyon is a short walk downstream from the bridge.
@@nickharland3795 thanks Nick.
I don't live by the mountains but the north saskatewan river by here is wide and calm no as beautiful as that
Yeah same here. It's very slow and wide in Edmonton. Definitely worth the drive to Banff. Thanks for watching.
Some solid skill controlling your canoe Nick, I think I'd still be floating lol. Where do you buy the guide books?
Thanks very much. Yeah there's a few spots I had to stop and scout, and overall it was an exciting paddle. Mark Lund's guidebook is the best for the most recent beta. It's available in many sports and camping stores in Alberta. I bought a couple out-of-print books used, that are also very helpful.
You should paddle the Mackenzie River (“the longest River in Canada!”) in the NWT!
There are a lot of videos of people who have done it!
I hope to get up north and paddle some of those rivers. The Mackenzie would be a great trip no doubt!! Thanks for watching.
Love your videos on paddling, I watch them all and love them, I live in Edmonton so I love the idea of doing some of these trips to the rivers I have hiked to but not paddled yet. After doing the Michipikoten river and the Jacques Cartier river, along with some of the northern Lake Superior coast, I want to play in the mountains. What month did you do this trip in to ensure safe enough water levels?
Thanks very much Kevin, I appreciate that. Superior coast sounds great for paddling and tripping. Yeah the mountains are a fun place to paddle. Lots of exciting and scenic rivers to choose from. This trip was in mid-July, on a warm day. Probably a medium flow... made for good paddling. Only a couple of creeks have joined the river at this point, so the flow is totally dependent on glacial melt. Thanks again, take care.
@@nickharland3795 Another question for you Nick. When you are going for your paddles, how do you generally deal with your transportation? Do you drop your canoe upriver, drive downriver, and bike back up, or do you have a friend meet you, or something else? Transport is always a tricky part of organizing these river trips haha.
Hi Kevin, yeah for most day trips, I use my bike as you stated. For longer trips I use family, friends, or local shuttle services if available. It definitely can be tricky at times, especially for solo trips... But worth the effort. Take care.
Very nice, what time of year do you recommend for water levels?
Thanks. This was in mid-July on a hot day, and it seemed to be a nice medium flow. The flow is dependent on the glacier, and only a few small creeks at this point. June could be high water, so July and August are probably the best times to go. There is no gauge this far up-river, so you have to check the flow at the take-out.
Super paddling! What canoe are you riding?
Thanks very much. It's a Mad River M.E. 15.5' about 50lbs. I've owned it 5 years, originally built in 1988. It's the only WW canoe I've ever paddled, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I absolutely love it.
@@nickharland3795 Those 80's ME's got to be pretty flexible at midship especially the floor. Are you experiencing that Nick? They are great in bigger waters but are a bit hard to maneuver in those rocky streams. The design is a classic of course. About 90-91 they stiffened the Royalex a bit so those canoes built in the 90's and early 2000's I think are the best for whitewater. I don't know how they compare to today's materials. Again Nick, great run great video.
@@bdh3949 Thanks. It is flexible, but seems to work fine for me. I have nothing to compare it to, it's the only WW canoe I've ever paddled solo. I will be sticking with it for as long as it lasts... and definitely have some trips planned for bigger water. Thanks again, take care.
Say Nick what level of rapids are you capable of navigating safely on your own ?
I like class III, and feel comfortable paddling them alone. I don't have much interest in class IV, and certainly wouldn't paddle it alone. Thanks for watching and commenting. Take care.
nick! whered you get your knee pads for the boat?
Totem Outfitters in Edmonton had the padding, and installed them for me.
Have you ever checked out the blackstone river?
It's mentioned in the guidebook, I've looked at it briefly. I think there might be class III/IV in there. No plans as of yet. Saw your video yesterday, the river looked quite low. If I do go, I guess I won't take any bananas foster with me.
@@nickharland3795 I was out a week ago straight north from Nordegg up the trunk road. First time in there, very nice. The river seemed to have good flow, i wondered if it was normal or low, because of all the rain in the area.
Nice little rapid run on your video.
How heavy is the canoe and equipment ?
The canoe is around 50 lbs. I didn't have much gear on this day trip, maybe 15-20 lbs.
@@nickharland3795 thanks for the reply
Early season?
This was mid July, on a fairly warm day.
You are moving....
Haha, yeah it's not a very big river, but it moves.