Great videos! We are doing a trip from Whitecourt to Smith this summer and hoping to do it in 3 or 4 days, my mom's family's land is on the East bank of this river, just before the Smith bridge. Looking forward to it that much more because of your video, thanks!
Thanks so much, I'm glad you could check them out. It is a nice trip on a big, beautiful river. It gets very wide and slow after Fort Assiniboine, and good camping is a bit harder to find... but still very doable. I got to Smith at the end of the 4th day. I hope you guys have a great trip!!
Hey thanks very much Lance. I appreciate you taking the time. Alberta has some real beautiful places, and it's a pleasure to paddle and hike them. Take care.
Hiya Nick from the Peace Country. Had a busy summer with Forestry Fire Base Camps, had a kind of bear scare one evening bc one big black bear outside my cabin but the guys chased it away...freaky scary n unnerving...but have to remember we were invading their space.Done until next spring. Hoping you had a great summer as well with your canoe adventures. Thank you for sharing. Will be working on your moccasins this winter n hopefully getting all my sewing done. Safe travels n have a great winter. Be well Nick Your friend always, Miller❤🙏🏼
Hello Miller. I'm glad to hear that you had an eventful summer at the camp. Also glad to hear that the bear eventually went on his way. Yes, we invade the animal's space, and we should be thankful when they allow us to stay. Good thing no one was hurt. It is my pleasure, there aren't many things in life I enjoy more than canoeing. So incredibly nice of you to make moccasins... kind of at a loss for words. All I can say is thank you. I hope you have a great winter too, take care and be safe. Thanks again my friend. Nick
I'm so happy to have stumbled upon your channel! We went to school together. I dont think we were ever in the same class. We definitely share the same interests! I'm envious of the adventures you are going on. Keep up the great work. 👍
Right on man! Bellerose Composite 94-96? Sorry, my memory eludes me. Yeah there is a lot of great paddling and hiking in western Alberta. Canoeing has become a bit of an obsession for me. I wish I had taken these things up 30 years ago. Thanks very much Shawn.
@Nick Harland Hey Nick, I should have graduated in "96, but I had to upgrade my math, so "97. Also, my last name at the time was Stevens. My parents finally got married about 17 years ago, so I changed my last name.
Yeah okay, that name I recognize. W.D. Cuts and Bellerose. I hope everything is going well for you. Glad to hear that you share the same interests... not many things are better than canoeing down a river. Take care Shawn.
So, just out of curiosity, how did you become such a strong paddler? You definitely know how to handle yourself in the bush as well. I feel comfortable in the wild myself, but I would imagine the mental side of things would be the hardest part of any such trip.
Nick please! Rhapsody River Rides out of Edson is doing an overnight poker chip run on May Long weekend end. We would love to come to an arrangement to have you as our celebrity canoeist.
@@bobtron5000 Hello Robert. I'll have to get back to you. I like the long weekends for 3 day trips, especially ones I have not paddled before. But thanks for the invite!! I should have a better idea of what I'm planning as spring approaches.
thanks for sharing Nick - as an old flat water paddler from another province I'm learning to navigate the AB moving waters so I'm thankful to you for posting these videos.
Thank you Nick for the great vids, I sorry in that I should have subbed earlier… I’m moving up to a Clipper next season and the Athabaska will certainly be on the venue… Stay safe and have a great day✌️
Thank you for taking the time. Yes Clippers are very good canoes, I certainly love mine. The Athabasca is a great river and perfect for canoe trips. Enjoy!!! Safe paddling.
Hey Nick. Hope you had a nice holiday and happy new year. So … what‘s on your canoe trip bucket list for 2023? I‘m not by any means suggesting this as a video, but I‘m curious … have you ever been east of Edmonton on the N. Saskatchewan? It‘s probably pretty boring but I’m just wondering have you canoed it before? I grew up in Edmonton until I was 12 and I must have spent 1/3 of my waking hours down at Whitemud Creek in the 50s and early 60s. Looking up about the history of creek is where I stumbled upon your video channel … I‘ve been a fan ever since. Until the next video …
Hello Robbie. I had a nice holiday for sure, but now I am anxious for spring to arrive. In regards to the N. Saskatchewan River, I have paddled to the mouth of the Sturgeon River... just past Fort Saskatchewan. I would like to paddle further east, and eventually complete the whole N. Sask River to where it joins the South Sask River. That will probably not be for a few years though. Right now I am mainly focused on paddling in the western part of the province. The Red Deer, Clearwater and Athabasca rivers will be high on my list for this year. I hope you had a nice holiday too. Thanks once again for taking the time. Happy New Year!!
I have enjoyed your videos through the years. I'll be canoe bound Sept.15th-20th from Alymer Bridge on the NSR to Rocky. Hunting trip I've been keen on doing for a few years. Wish me luck 🙏
nice peaceful ride on a Big river/ kinda funny i had intended to watch part 2 of the Clearwater trip and i was like/ wow that river calmed down and got wider hahaha/// oops/watching the wrong video// well now ill go watch that other part 2 ....
Haha, no worries at all. Yes this river is much, much different from the Clearwater River. Yes this was a slower paced trip, and very quiet out there. It was a nice trip to end summer here. Thanks for checking it out.
Please tell me you played to stereotype and had maple syrup with the bacon and pancakes. Friendly looking river, ideal for a novice or long tripping pro like yourself, through gorgeous country.
Well no maple syrup on this trip, but they were still tasty pancakes. Yeah it's a big calm river, with pretty slow current for most of it. A great way to see the landscape. Thanks very much, take care.
River looked fast in some places. 5 or 6 six days alone with no contact with anyone. Did you find that hard ??? Longest trip I did was 3 days and on Day 2 was lonely. Nicely Done.
A couple spots where the current is good, but mostly quite slow. It was a relaxing trip on a very large river. I don't find it hard to do extended solo trips, I truly enjoy it. But it is always nice to come back home and see family and friends. Thanks again Darrell.
There are a couple of swift sections near the start, but no real rapids at all. Once past Ft. Assiniboine, it is all slow, easy paddling. Finding good places to camp was the most difficult part of the trip. Thanks for watching Rick, take care.
Great videos! We are doing a trip from Whitecourt to Smith this summer and hoping to do it in 3 or 4 days, my mom's family's land is on the East bank of this river, just before the Smith bridge. Looking forward to it that much more because of your video, thanks!
Thanks so much, I'm glad you could check them out. It is a nice trip on a big, beautiful river. It gets very wide and slow after Fort Assiniboine, and good camping is a bit harder to find... but still very doable. I got to Smith at the end of the 4th day. I hope you guys have a great trip!!
I love your videos, Nick, and I subscribed to you. I live in Alberta, and it’s nice to see sights I have never seen.
Hey thanks very much Lance. I appreciate you taking the time. Alberta has some real beautiful places, and it's a pleasure to paddle and hike them. Take care.
@@nickharland3795 Thanks! Can't wait to see your next river journey.
Hiya Nick from the Peace Country.
Had a busy summer with Forestry Fire Base Camps, had a kind of bear scare one evening bc one big black bear outside my cabin but the guys chased it away...freaky scary n unnerving...but have to remember we were invading their space.Done until next spring. Hoping you had a great summer as well with your canoe adventures. Thank you for sharing. Will be working on your moccasins this winter n hopefully getting all my sewing done. Safe travels n have a great winter. Be well Nick
Your friend always,
Miller❤🙏🏼
Hello Miller. I'm glad to hear that you had an eventful summer at the camp. Also glad to hear that the bear eventually went on his way. Yes, we invade the animal's space, and we should be thankful when they allow us to stay. Good thing no one was hurt.
It is my pleasure, there aren't many things in life I enjoy more than canoeing.
So incredibly nice of you to make moccasins... kind of at a loss for words. All I can say is thank you. I hope you have a great winter too, take care and be safe. Thanks again my friend. Nick
Part 2 Was As Good As Part 1 Great River Side Meal, Thanks Nick. ATB T God Bless
Not many things better than a nice riverside meal. Thank you for taking the time Terry. Take care my friend.
I'm so happy to have stumbled upon your channel! We went to school together. I dont think we were ever in the same class. We definitely share the same interests! I'm envious of the adventures you are going on. Keep up the great work. 👍
Right on man! Bellerose Composite 94-96? Sorry, my memory eludes me. Yeah there is a lot of great paddling and hiking in western Alberta. Canoeing has become a bit of an obsession for me. I wish I had taken these things up 30 years ago. Thanks very much Shawn.
Hey Shawn, what year did you graduate?
@Nick Harland Hey Nick, I should have graduated in "96, but I had to upgrade my math, so "97. Also, my last name at the time was Stevens. My parents finally got married about 17 years ago, so I changed my last name.
Yeah okay, that name I recognize. W.D. Cuts and Bellerose. I hope everything is going well for you. Glad to hear that you share the same interests... not many things are better than canoeing down a river. Take care Shawn.
So, just out of curiosity, how did you become such a strong paddler? You definitely know how to handle yourself in the bush as well. I feel comfortable in the wild myself, but I would imagine the mental side of things would be the hardest part of any such trip.
Love these pov vids Nick. Thanks for taking the time to record it.
Hey thanks very much Bryan. It's my pleasure.
Nick please! Rhapsody River Rides out of Edson is doing an overnight poker chip run on May Long weekend end. We would love to come to an arrangement to have you as our celebrity canoeist.
@@bobtron5000 Hello Robert. I'll have to get back to you. I like the long weekends for 3 day trips, especially ones I have not paddled before. But thanks for the invite!! I should have a better idea of what I'm planning as spring approaches.
Thú vị lắm bạn ơi cảm ơn chia sẻ video đẹp hay tuyệt vời cảm
Thanks for taking the time :)
Very nice. Hope your packing some artillery on these trips. Its bigfoot mating season now
Haha, well I had bear spray and an ax. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for taking the time to record it.
It was my pleasure. Thanks for watching.
thanks for sharing Nick - as an old flat water paddler from another province I'm learning to navigate the AB moving waters so I'm thankful to you for posting these videos.
My pleasure Brian. I hope you are getting out there and enjoying the rivers. Take care.
The yellow brige at 4:06 is on the Old Smith Highway which connects Smith to Slave Lake. Great videos.
Thanks very much Dan. Yeah I figured it was a secondary hwy or a range road, but wasn't sure at the time.
Good that the weather cleared op, and impressive breakfast!
Yes, the weather was good most of the time. Thanks Udo.
Thank you Nick for the great vids, I sorry in that I should have subbed earlier… I’m moving up to a Clipper next season and the Athabaska will certainly be on the venue… Stay safe and have a great day✌️
Thank you for taking the time. Yes Clippers are very good canoes, I certainly love mine. The Athabasca is a great river and perfect for canoe trips. Enjoy!!! Safe paddling.
Hopefully, you're back with the paddle again, and there will be new videos shortly!
Hi Jerry. I just got back from my first trip of the year. Hopefully I will a few more in this summer.
Very nice video ji like 🙏🙏👈👈
Thank you so much for watching. Take care.
Hey Nick. Hope you had a nice holiday and happy new year. So … what‘s on your canoe trip bucket list for 2023? I‘m not by any means suggesting this as a video, but I‘m curious … have you ever been east of Edmonton on the N. Saskatchewan? It‘s probably pretty boring but I’m just wondering have you canoed it before? I grew up in Edmonton until I was 12 and I must have spent 1/3 of my waking hours down at Whitemud Creek in the 50s and early 60s. Looking up about the history of creek is where I stumbled upon your video channel … I‘ve been a fan ever since. Until the next video …
Hello Robbie. I had a nice holiday for sure, but now I am anxious for spring to arrive. In regards to the N. Saskatchewan River, I have paddled to the mouth of the Sturgeon River... just past Fort Saskatchewan. I would like to paddle further east, and eventually complete the whole N. Sask River to where it joins the South Sask River. That will probably not be for a few years though. Right now I am mainly focused on paddling in the western part of the province. The Red Deer, Clearwater and Athabasca rivers will be high on my list for this year. I hope you had a nice holiday too. Thanks once again for taking the time. Happy New Year!!
I have enjoyed your videos through the years.
I'll be canoe bound Sept.15th-20th from Alymer Bridge on the NSR to Rocky.
Hunting trip I've been keen on doing for a few years. Wish me luck 🙏
Yes, I hope you have a great trip. It is a very nice stretch of river. Best of luck hunting!! Take care.
nice peaceful ride on a Big river/ kinda funny i had intended to watch part 2 of the Clearwater trip and i was like/ wow that river calmed down and got wider hahaha/// oops/watching the wrong video// well now ill go watch that other part 2 ....
Haha, no worries at all. Yes this river is much, much different from the Clearwater River. Yes this was a slower paced trip, and very quiet out there. It was a nice trip to end summer here. Thanks for checking it out.
Please tell me you played to stereotype and had maple syrup with the bacon and pancakes.
Friendly looking river, ideal for a novice or long tripping pro like yourself, through gorgeous country.
Well no maple syrup on this trip, but they were still tasty pancakes. Yeah it's a big calm river, with pretty slow current for most of it. A great way to see the landscape. Thanks very much, take care.
You should check out the Kootneay. It is incredible.
Yes I hope to someday. It has been on my mind for a few years now. Thanks Dan.
Have you been doing any fishing on your trips?
I fished a little bit on this trip, but did not catch anything. I try to fish on most of my river trips, but have never had much luck.
Nick, do you prefer the griddle over a fry pan.? Never though of using that before.
Thanks for the vid, cheers!
I don't really have a preference. The griddle is good for pancakes, otherwise I'd probably just bring a frying pan. Thanks for watching, take care.
River looked fast in some places. 5 or 6 six days alone with no contact with anyone. Did you find that hard ??? Longest trip I did was 3 days and on Day 2 was lonely. Nicely Done.
A couple spots where the current is good, but mostly quite slow. It was a relaxing trip on a very large river. I don't find it hard to do extended solo trips, I truly enjoy it. But it is always nice to come back home and see family and friends. Thanks again Darrell.
You have plans to continue on from Athabasca to Fort Mcmurray?
Yeah, but probably a couple years away still. That is quite a trip with some major rapids. Shuttling my truck might be an issue too. But I'm hopeful.
Looks like a fairly basic section of river were there any rapids along there ?
There are a couple of swift sections near the start, but no real rapids at all. Once past Ft. Assiniboine, it is all slow, easy paddling. Finding good places to camp was the most difficult part of the trip. Thanks for watching Rick, take care.
Do you have a defence for bears, when camping over nigth?
I just have bear spray.
how long were your days on the water with this trip
Probably around 8 hours a day of paddling. The last day was the shortest day of the trip.