Jackpine Paddle

There's open tundra, and there's dense boreal forest — but have you ever considered what an expedition in the transition zone looks like?⁠ ⁠ Our Taltson River and Thaidene Nëné canoe expeditions both explore this wonderful in-between: a landscape full of striking variety and true remote wilderness.⁠ ⁠ Paddle the friendly moving water of the Taltson in the early summer, or trace the lakes and bays within Thaidene Nëné for an autumn lake-based adventure.⁠ ⁠ 📍 Taltson River & Thaidene Nëné⁠ 🗓️ Taltson: June 15-26, 2026⁠ 🗓️ Thaidene Nëné: August 20-31, 2026

Jackpine Guide Kyra Hermann on the magic of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake: ⁠ ⁠ "I have been gifted with the most remarkable opportunities to guide all over NWT and even into Nunavut but when I think about the place that excites me the most it is the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. ⁠ ⁠ Watching the sun sparkle as it hits fantastic blue water. Being reminded of how small you are as cliffs tower above your head. Yelps of joy as massive lake trout are caught. These are just some of the fondest memories I hold from this landscape. ⁠ ⁠ One of my favourite things to tell people about the East Arm is the stromatolite deposit. You get to stand among fossils of some of the earliest life on earth.⁠ ⁠ As I tell everyone, the East Arm is magic ✨." — Kyra, 2025⁠ ⁠ 📍East Arm of Great Slave Lake⁠

Canoes ashore, tents up and endless tundra to be wandered before dinner. This is what your evenings look like in the barrenlands. ⁠ ⁠ 📍Elk River⁠ 📷️Deanne Fararr⁠

Northern Partnership Highlight: Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures⁠ ⁠ Getting to the spectacular cliffs of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake for our expeditions in this remote area is made easy working with Ryan Gregory, owner of Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures. The shuttle service he provides to reach this region is a beautiful way to take in the sheer scale of this remarkable body of water. ⁠ ⁠ Working with northern operators like Ryan is central to what makes these remote journeys possible each season. ⁠

The secret to a perfectly set cheesecake in the wilderness? ⁠ ⁠ A quick rest in the nearby glacial-fed river does the trick every time!⁠ ⁠ 📍Keele River ⁠ 📷️Olivia Mater

Our April Adventure Newsletter is here!⁠ ⁠ Here's a glimpse of what it covers: ⁠ 📍 Expedition of the Month: The East Arm of Great Slave Lake⁠ 🌊 Paddling Lessons in Yellowknife⁠ 🎁 A Remarkable Gift to the North⁠ 🛶 Canoe Safety Training Across NWT⁠ ⛸️ Ice Roads Transformed into Skating Rinks⁠ ⁠ Follow the link in our bio to read it all!

Ready for the ultimate lake canoe adventure? ⁠ ⁠ Our 12-day expedition on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake delivers exactly that. Surrounded by ancient cliffs, legendary fishing, and true vast wilderness, this trip immerses you in a subarctic unlike any lake paddling you've done before. ⁠ ⁠ After launching from Frontier Lodge, we spend each day exploring the sweeping bays and towering cliffs of this remote, spectacular region. ⁠ ⁠ 🗓️: July 7—18, 2026⁠ 🛶: Red Cliff Island Expedition⁠

Jackpine Guide Olivia Mater on nature's reminder to slow down: ⁠ ⁠ "There are some moments on trips that stay with you, linger in mind and memory like an imprint in the clay. They are the moments that pull you out of the world of thought and the clamour of living, and into presence. One of those moments for me happened on the first evening on the Begáhdéh (Keele River). I was making dessert - strawberries and whip cream on short bread. As I furiously whipped the cream I headed down to the river to place the bowl in the cool turquoise water to aid the process. My mind was busy with the day, processing the fluctuations of chaos and perfect order that had ensued; loading the float plane, flying over the dramatic peaks of the Mackenzie Mountains and following the wild meanders of this new river, this new place I was just learning to be in relationship with. As I whisked and whisked my mind began to spin, thoughts imitating eddylines and whirlpools - when suddenly I looked upstream and saw a pair of antlers floating with the current - a caribou (Tenatł’iya) was swimming in the river. I watched as it positioned itself to follow the deep water, moving through the river with ease and a familiarity as old as time. It floated right past me and we all watched in awe as it carried on into the glistening light of the setting sun down stream. I remember this moment, because it made the world stop, It made all chaos give way to harmony and beauty and belonging. Awe filled the space of urgency, my heartbeat changed to a new rhythm of giddiness and gratitude. And when I finally looked back down at my silly little bowl of whipping cream, the river had brought it to the perfect consistency."— Olivia, 2025⁠ ⁠ 📍Keele River ⁠ 📷️ Olivia Mater⁠ 🎨Olivia Mater

This Earth Day, we're taking time to appreciate some of the details that make the Arctic so extraordinary. ⁠ ⁠ 📍Horton River⁠ ⁠ 🗓️July 26-August 8, 2026⁠ 📷️Chase Edgerton & Mhairi McFarlane⁠

Views from the most northerly flowing river in mainland Canada. ⁠ ⁠ From limestone canyons to the Arctic coastline, the Horton River delivers at every bend. ⁠ ⁠ 📍The Lower Horton River⁠ 🗓️July 26-August 8, 2026⁠ 📷️Chase Edgerton & Mhairi McFarlane & Colin Gisiger⁠

Carved by time. Paddled by few.⁠ ⁠ Home to some of the most dramatic paddling in Canada's North — the canyons of the Coppermine are in a league of their own. ⁠ ⁠ Join us this July 27-August 9 to see for yourself 🌊

Jackpine Guide Jack Panayi on the endless hiking opportunities in the Barrenlands: ⁠ ⁠ "The hiking in the Barrenlands is something else — the trip I guided with Émy on the Clarke and Thelon Rivers last summer was a highlight for sure. The trip varies so much in landscape which really makes you want to check out what’s over the hills behind your campsite every chance you get. Early on the trip, on the Clarke River, there are endless small rolling hills, and a bit later, canyon sections that make for great hikes with beautiful views of the river. Once you hit the confluence with the Thelon River, the world opens up. The canyon walls get much taller, offering big views of the rapids upstream of the confluence. Further down, the eskers take over and always leave me wanting to hike a little further to see what’s over the next peak!" — Jack, 2025 ⁠ ⁠ 📍Clarke and Thelon River