Harricana River (also spelled Harricanaw)
General information:
The beginning of the Harricana has muddy, alder-y shores with silty, opaque water. This changes to a clearer water composition with more prominent Canadian Shield shores at the confluence of the Turgeon. Up until the bridge put-in it is essentially flatwater where the white-water is big drops into sections of slack water. This progresses into larger volume rapids as the river approaches 7-mile island, which is the biggest on the river. This river demands lots of scouting to mitigate any safety concerns from the large volume rapids, especially in approach to the 1-mile and 7-mile island areas. Portaging and scouting is very easy except for one or two small sections. It is without a doubt a beautiful river and amazing trip. Since we had lots of time, we took our time to safely scout most sets that we could not run extended ducky style. It is hard to scout the far side of the river from shore, sometimes we would have one leader on each shore to scout their respective sides and radio, we found some good sneak routes using this strategy. It is a relaxed trip in nature, lots of our large distance days after 7-mile were spent floating and chilling since the current is quite swift in this section. We took multiple “paddle” days instead of rest days at larger sets to play empty boated before the real meat of the white-water began to warm campers up, which we would recommend doing.
Tips for James Bay:
Pace of trip: Relaxed
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Skill level of group: Average
General weather: lots of clouds, rain, some hot days, Bay stuff
Water levels on trip: We had the historical median water levels according to this site: http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/suivihydro/graphique.asp?NoStation=080101, perfect water.
Previous trip reports used: Wanapitei trip report 2016 (low water), Wanapitei Staff trip – 2012 (higher water)
Campsites: Bushy, camp at cabins until around the Turgeon where the shore becomes more manageable and rockier. We had some of our favourite campsites ever on this trip.
Portages: none longer than 400m, most are over wide-open Canadian shield, very easy
Maps used: 32 E/8, 32 E/10, 32 E/15, 32 L/2, 32 L/6, 32 L/11, 32 L/13, 32 L/14, 32 M/4, 42 P/8
Access points: Bridge at start of 2012 report put in, Washow Lodge, landing sites for helicopters on shield
Total distance: 30,020,000cm
Days: 5 rest days, we used some for paddling days, our days were never pushed.
Day 1(A), 29/07
Campsite: Joutel
Distance: 0
Hours on water: Busss
Weather: raining
Day 2(B), 30/07
Campsite: Riviere Plamondon @ cabin on RL (791 975 32 E/10)
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 10-6:20
Weather: HEADWINDS
Day 3 (C), 31/07
Campsite: 748 099 32 E/10
Distance: 14km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: Headwinds, mixed clouds, sun
Tech:
1) Rapides Kitci Wagidadjiwan – Portage takeout RR above falls 754 096. Muddy start, established trail to pool
2) Set below – RR is R3 with HUGE messy finish, probs avoid since it’s so early in trip. RC channel is 2 nice drops but hard to get to. RL is R2, fun drops, we camped at the bottom before the canyon walls narrow
Day 4 (D), 01/08
Campsite: 741 138 32 E/15 (7.5/10 rating)
Distance: 3.8km
Hours on water: 10:15-2:30
Weather: Hot, sunny
Tech:
1) Canyon after Kitci W. – wave train after day 3 R2, ran to lake, great set to stop and practice swimming/throw bagging in
2) Kawigwaseswag – Pick and choose R1 approach, portage RL. RL channel ends in BIG hole, RR channel is hard to get to safely
Day 5 (E), 02/08
Campsite: Site next to falls on RL, 698 244 32 E/15. Walk up to it, worth it.
Distance: 14km
Hours on water: 7 hours
Weather: Headwinds, sunny
Tech:
1) Katackisegidjiwag – Falls, portage flagged in RR. We shot narrow sneak route channel RL, lined the end ledge RR, no other runnable channels
2) Rapide Pagidahagan – doesn’t exist
3) Rapide Kamidabikag – doesn’t exist
4) Rapides Kuininadagwijimog – falls, portage RR, didn’t scout other channels
Day 6 (F), 03/08
Campsite: rest day
Distance: 0
Hours on water: playing for 4 hours
Weather: cold, windy but sunny
Tech:
Play day!
Day 7 (G), 04/08
Campsite: 561 361 32 E/15, AMAZING RR site before canyon set
Distance: 16 km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: scattered clouds
Tech:
1) Bridge set R2 – R1 lead up, whatever. Big tongue/hole RL, meat basket, some ran it, it pushes you into the granite wall, low consequence however. Sneak route RR.
2) Tegatagama – R2 ledge, maybe R3 over hole RR. We shot RL R2 ledge which is a chill, fun option. R1 to canyon R2 wave train which we shot RL to RR
Day 8 (H), 05/08
Campsite: same, rest day lol
Distance: 0
Hours on water: 7, play day
Weather: everything
Tech:
Play day!
Day 9 (I), 06/08
Campsite: 505 535 32 L/2
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 10:05-4
Weather: rain, sun, headwinds, everything
Tech:
1) 558 363 to 565 365 – P+C (pick and choose) R1
2) 495 449 – P+C R1
3) 503 493 – R1+, two channels, both easy
Day 10 (J), 07/08
Campsite: 445 631 32 L/2 around corner after set
Distance: 14km
Hours on water: 8
Weather: sunny
Tech:
1) 503 554 32 L/2 – big R1 with rocks, P+C
2) 493 565 – left channel pt. 1. RR R2 sneak route, 2 or 3 technical moves, all ran without issue
3) Continuous R1/R2 P+C until…
4) 563 480 – falls. We lined RR channel then ran JUICY R3 to bottom on RR through hole and over 2 ledges
5) 462 589 – 1k R1 P+C
6) 453 602 – another 1k R1 P+C
7) 447 626 – more 1k R1 P+C
8) 445 626 – wavy R2 shot RR to campsite
Day 11 (K), 08/08
Campsite: 378 876, large rock outcrop RR @ bottom of set, amazing
Distance: 24.5km
Hours on water: 9:40-5:40
Weather: rain, with thunderstorms before campsite
Tech:
1) R1’s P+C, some small R2 until flatwater section, ducky all morning until…
2) 415 810 – R2, ran ducky RL RC. The bottom is a ROCKY, FUN and windy R2 we ran RL
3) 382 853 – 2 parts. 1) R1 RL to eddy. 2) R2 tight RL to bottom, rocky
Day 12 (L), 09/08
Campsite: ye
Distance: tru
Hours on water: lel
Weather: yes?
Tech:
Rest
Day 13 (M), 10/08
Campsite: Kidney bean island portage
Distance: 5km
Hours on water: 11-5
Weather: rain, cold, sunny evening
Tech:
1) 377 875. R3, many good lines, RR RC, lift over RL. Wavy set with large exposed rocks RR
2) 376 886 – falls portage RR, 50m over shield. Took out by paddling to last eddy RR,
3) 375 897 – falls portage, 100m over RC island with trees
4) R1 after portage to next set
5) 368 912 – R3. People took separate routes, tough set overall:
125m portage over kidney bean island, we camped in the middle. Beautiful campsite.
Day 14 (N), 11/08
Campsite: same
Distance: ha
Hours on water: time is relative
Weather: yeah
Tech:
Rest day
Day 15 (O), 12/08
Campsite: POWER ISLAND 354 953 32 L/6 (better site after the portage, RL)
Distance: 3km
Hours on water: 9:45-4
Weather: sun/rain, the works
Tech:
1) 367 932 “Entrance Falls” Ferried to island portage 300m over left of the island, find your own best path past 4 big drops to pool, put in eddy is kind of sketchy current.
2) Below that (like RIGHT below, forgot to write coordinates during the day and honestly, I’m not about to go find the map for the coordinates. Be better than us) we went RR channel of island. It’s a technical R3, we ferried to RR pool above meat and lined down RR shore, shot bottom tight RR.
3) 360 945 – BIG R3 wave train. We ran it! RR the whole way.
4) 352 955 – R4 Power island portage. 150m, no best route
Day 16 (P), 13/08
Campsite: 335 003
Distance: 4.4km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: cold! Cloudy, some rain
Tech:
1) 350 959 – BIG R3. We ran empty boated. RL channel at the top, RL/C rest of the way
2) 347 967 – right channel after R3. R2 we ran far RR, powering left on the slide to avoid the rock+wave.
3) 345 967ish (lol) portage, 150m over shield. SKETCHY put in, 1 boat (honestly more like a half boat eddy but that’s life isn’t it?) at a time, Kesagami style
4) 342 970 – R2. Start RR, power RL to avoid ledge.
5) 342 972 – R2 ledge across river, we shot far RR.
6) 336 986 – R2 chute, we shot far RR channel, easy peasy
7) 335 000 – R1, shot RR to 75m portage. Above R4 drop, caution. Far RL possible line?
Day 17 (Q), 14/08
Campsite: 200 157
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: cold, showers
Tech:
1) 333 016 – beginning is a technical R2 section. We shot RR, eddy hopped and slid down slides. Many rocks. The bottom is like the top, continuous rock garden, shot RR the whole way, P+C
2) 333 028 – “Disney Land” technical R2. The lead up is RR near the shore through the first 2 V’s, and then around the top pillow ledge (about 10 ft. off shore) to an amazing 35 ft. slide! Amazing!
3) R1/R2 boat scout the rest of the way (there is a great ledge RR after the end of 7 mile)
Day 18 (R), 15/08
Campsite: 122 342 32 L/14
Distance: 23km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: Sunny! Mixed clouds
Tech: boat scouted swifts, R1’s from near the end of L/11 onwards
Day 19 (S), 16/08
Campsite: 985 501 32/L13
Distance: 29km
Hours on water: 6
Weather: hot, sunny
Tech: shallow swifts
Day 20 (T), 17/08
Campsite: 865 655 32 M/4
Distance: 23km
Hours on water: 3.5
Weather: hot, no wind
Day 21 (U), 18/08
Campsite: Netitishi, 615 824 42 P/8
Distance: 31.5km
Hours on water: 12.5 (Bay)
Weather: Hot, calm windy
Day 22 (V) 19/08
Campsite: rest
Distance: day
Hours on water: lol
Weather: probs
Day 23 (W), 20/08
Campsite: Long Point
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 12 hours (Bay tings)
Weather: windy, cool
Day 24 (X), 21/08
Campsite: Cultural centre
Distance: 15km
Hours on water: 3.5
Weather: calm windy
The beginning of the Harricana has muddy, alder-y shores with silty, opaque water. This changes to a clearer water composition with more prominent Canadian Shield shores at the confluence of the Turgeon. Up until the bridge put-in it is essentially flatwater where the white-water is big drops into sections of slack water. This progresses into larger volume rapids as the river approaches 7-mile island, which is the biggest on the river. This river demands lots of scouting to mitigate any safety concerns from the large volume rapids, especially in approach to the 1-mile and 7-mile island areas. Portaging and scouting is very easy except for one or two small sections. It is without a doubt a beautiful river and amazing trip. Since we had lots of time, we took our time to safely scout most sets that we could not run extended ducky style. It is hard to scout the far side of the river from shore, sometimes we would have one leader on each shore to scout their respective sides and radio, we found some good sneak routes using this strategy. It is a relaxed trip in nature, lots of our large distance days after 7-mile were spent floating and chilling since the current is quite swift in this section. We took multiple “paddle” days instead of rest days at larger sets to play empty boated before the real meat of the white-water began to warm campers up, which we would recommend doing.
Tips for James Bay:
- The water on James Bay is salt water, muddy and undrinkable. So fill water barrels and any available bucket (e.g. lunch bucket, rehydration bucket) with extra water. The water at the confluence of the Kesagami and Kattawagami rivers is fairly clear and is the last available spot to fill up on water before hitting the bay. Water rationing especially for dishes is necessary as you use a lot more than you think. Also plan meals that use little water in advance. You can get water at the Sky Ranch or at the Ecolodge near moose factory while in Moosonee.
- When you get to Goose Camp put a large stick in the mud near the shore to figure out when high tide is (tide charts are not always accurate!). Check it every 15-20mins. The paddle from goose camp to the bay takes about 2 hours (since you need to be at James bay as close to high tide as possible you are usually paddling against the tide), so you need to leave goose camp a couple of hours before high tide.
- Bring a pack full of firewood from Goose Camp – long point has very little wood and it’s always nice not to have to collect firewood if everyone is tired.
- Be sure to bathe at Goose Camp – it’s the last opportunity to do so. We asked about showering in Moosonee for medical reasons and were told there were no public showers.
- Days on the bay are more exhausting than you would think so ensure you have meals prepared in advance, a couple of snacks, quick breakfasts and meals that use little water. You will not have the energy to cook extravagant meals on the bay.
- Marked shoals (or sand bars) on the map can be deceptive and change each year… when in doubt go around.
- Morning and evening tides are not always at the same time. High tide in the morning usually increases by about 45minutes every day.
- Early Morning starts are often better, you can beach yourself near low tide at mid-day (so you don’t get too far from shore and also for a nap) and then you have plenty of light at the next high tide for which to see a campsite with.
- Weather changes extremely quickly and the temperature can very so pack lots of layers. Also you are very exposed to the elements so hats, sunscreen, and various ways of wind protection are useful. We set up a sail to block the wind both days while beached.
- Have your GPS and compass out – navigation is difficult however you can always follow the rapidly growing sand bars and make sure you are never more than half a paddles depth from shore.
- The first obvious point you see on the bay is Michapishau point, the second is netatishi point and the third is long point.
- Plan to beach yourself according to the following factors:
- Distance from shore - being over 3km from shore is very far and feels very sketchy.
- Potentially bad weather – if it looks like a thunder storm is approaching never go very far from shore.
- Distance needed to cover that day – e.g. if you have not made at least half your planned distance it may be necessary to continue padding/ dragging longer in an attempt to make it to your planned campsite.
- Beaching is a great opportunity to rest and eat food.
- While we were on the bay there was about 45minutes of time after the expected high tide where the water levels did not change that much.
- Bring an alarm clock – helpful for early morning wake ups
- To get to Nunavut island (which is the only island in the area on the bay and is just out from Michapishau point) you must get there at low tide on bay day #1 – otherwise making the rest of the distance is a challenge. Beach yourself on Nunavut island.
- Leave long point (or ship sands island) at low tide (or just before) so you can ride the tide up the moose river into Moosonee.
Pace of trip: Relaxed
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Skill level of group: Average
General weather: lots of clouds, rain, some hot days, Bay stuff
Water levels on trip: We had the historical median water levels according to this site: http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/suivihydro/graphique.asp?NoStation=080101, perfect water.
Previous trip reports used: Wanapitei trip report 2016 (low water), Wanapitei Staff trip – 2012 (higher water)
Campsites: Bushy, camp at cabins until around the Turgeon where the shore becomes more manageable and rockier. We had some of our favourite campsites ever on this trip.
Portages: none longer than 400m, most are over wide-open Canadian shield, very easy
Maps used: 32 E/8, 32 E/10, 32 E/15, 32 L/2, 32 L/6, 32 L/11, 32 L/13, 32 L/14, 32 M/4, 42 P/8
Access points: Bridge at start of 2012 report put in, Washow Lodge, landing sites for helicopters on shield
Total distance: 30,020,000cm
Days: 5 rest days, we used some for paddling days, our days were never pushed.
Day 1(A), 29/07
Campsite: Joutel
Distance: 0
Hours on water: Busss
Weather: raining
Day 2(B), 30/07
Campsite: Riviere Plamondon @ cabin on RL (791 975 32 E/10)
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 10-6:20
Weather: HEADWINDS
Day 3 (C), 31/07
Campsite: 748 099 32 E/10
Distance: 14km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: Headwinds, mixed clouds, sun
Tech:
1) Rapides Kitci Wagidadjiwan – Portage takeout RR above falls 754 096. Muddy start, established trail to pool
2) Set below – RR is R3 with HUGE messy finish, probs avoid since it’s so early in trip. RC channel is 2 nice drops but hard to get to. RL is R2, fun drops, we camped at the bottom before the canyon walls narrow
Day 4 (D), 01/08
Campsite: 741 138 32 E/15 (7.5/10 rating)
Distance: 3.8km
Hours on water: 10:15-2:30
Weather: Hot, sunny
Tech:
1) Canyon after Kitci W. – wave train after day 3 R2, ran to lake, great set to stop and practice swimming/throw bagging in
2) Kawigwaseswag – Pick and choose R1 approach, portage RL. RL channel ends in BIG hole, RR channel is hard to get to safely
Day 5 (E), 02/08
Campsite: Site next to falls on RL, 698 244 32 E/15. Walk up to it, worth it.
Distance: 14km
Hours on water: 7 hours
Weather: Headwinds, sunny
Tech:
1) Katackisegidjiwag – Falls, portage flagged in RR. We shot narrow sneak route channel RL, lined the end ledge RR, no other runnable channels
2) Rapide Pagidahagan – doesn’t exist
3) Rapide Kamidabikag – doesn’t exist
4) Rapides Kuininadagwijimog – falls, portage RR, didn’t scout other channels
Day 6 (F), 03/08
Campsite: rest day
Distance: 0
Hours on water: playing for 4 hours
Weather: cold, windy but sunny
Tech:
Play day!
Day 7 (G), 04/08
Campsite: 561 361 32 E/15, AMAZING RR site before canyon set
Distance: 16 km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: scattered clouds
Tech:
1) Bridge set R2 – R1 lead up, whatever. Big tongue/hole RL, meat basket, some ran it, it pushes you into the granite wall, low consequence however. Sneak route RR.
2) Tegatagama – R2 ledge, maybe R3 over hole RR. We shot RL R2 ledge which is a chill, fun option. R1 to canyon R2 wave train which we shot RL to RR
Day 8 (H), 05/08
Campsite: same, rest day lol
Distance: 0
Hours on water: 7, play day
Weather: everything
Tech:
Play day!
Day 9 (I), 06/08
Campsite: 505 535 32 L/2
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 10:05-4
Weather: rain, sun, headwinds, everything
Tech:
1) 558 363 to 565 365 – P+C (pick and choose) R1
2) 495 449 – P+C R1
3) 503 493 – R1+, two channels, both easy
Day 10 (J), 07/08
Campsite: 445 631 32 L/2 around corner after set
Distance: 14km
Hours on water: 8
Weather: sunny
Tech:
1) 503 554 32 L/2 – big R1 with rocks, P+C
2) 493 565 – left channel pt. 1. RR R2 sneak route, 2 or 3 technical moves, all ran without issue
3) Continuous R1/R2 P+C until…
4) 563 480 – falls. We lined RR channel then ran JUICY R3 to bottom on RR through hole and over 2 ledges
5) 462 589 – 1k R1 P+C
6) 453 602 – another 1k R1 P+C
7) 447 626 – more 1k R1 P+C
8) 445 626 – wavy R2 shot RR to campsite
Day 11 (K), 08/08
Campsite: 378 876, large rock outcrop RR @ bottom of set, amazing
Distance: 24.5km
Hours on water: 9:40-5:40
Weather: rain, with thunderstorms before campsite
Tech:
1) R1’s P+C, some small R2 until flatwater section, ducky all morning until…
2) 415 810 – R2, ran ducky RL RC. The bottom is a ROCKY, FUN and windy R2 we ran RL
3) 382 853 – 2 parts. 1) R1 RL to eddy. 2) R2 tight RL to bottom, rocky
Day 12 (L), 09/08
Campsite: ye
Distance: tru
Hours on water: lel
Weather: yes?
Tech:
Rest
Day 13 (M), 10/08
Campsite: Kidney bean island portage
Distance: 5km
Hours on water: 11-5
Weather: rain, cold, sunny evening
Tech:
1) 377 875. R3, many good lines, RR RC, lift over RL. Wavy set with large exposed rocks RR
2) 376 886 – falls portage RR, 50m over shield. Took out by paddling to last eddy RR,
3) 375 897 – falls portage, 100m over RC island with trees
4) R1 after portage to next set
5) 368 912 – R3. People took separate routes, tough set overall:
- RL: LOTS of holes, we would have swamped without spray skirts.
- RR: we ferried over for the lineup above the ledge, the bottom is a bit rocky and technical
- Lined sneak channel FAR RL, small, shallow channel
125m portage over kidney bean island, we camped in the middle. Beautiful campsite.
Day 14 (N), 11/08
Campsite: same
Distance: ha
Hours on water: time is relative
Weather: yeah
Tech:
Rest day
Day 15 (O), 12/08
Campsite: POWER ISLAND 354 953 32 L/6 (better site after the portage, RL)
Distance: 3km
Hours on water: 9:45-4
Weather: sun/rain, the works
Tech:
1) 367 932 “Entrance Falls” Ferried to island portage 300m over left of the island, find your own best path past 4 big drops to pool, put in eddy is kind of sketchy current.
2) Below that (like RIGHT below, forgot to write coordinates during the day and honestly, I’m not about to go find the map for the coordinates. Be better than us) we went RR channel of island. It’s a technical R3, we ferried to RR pool above meat and lined down RR shore, shot bottom tight RR.
3) 360 945 – BIG R3 wave train. We ran it! RR the whole way.
4) 352 955 – R4 Power island portage. 150m, no best route
Day 16 (P), 13/08
Campsite: 335 003
Distance: 4.4km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: cold! Cloudy, some rain
Tech:
1) 350 959 – BIG R3. We ran empty boated. RL channel at the top, RL/C rest of the way
2) 347 967 – right channel after R3. R2 we ran far RR, powering left on the slide to avoid the rock+wave.
3) 345 967ish (lol) portage, 150m over shield. SKETCHY put in, 1 boat (honestly more like a half boat eddy but that’s life isn’t it?) at a time, Kesagami style
4) 342 970 – R2. Start RR, power RL to avoid ledge.
5) 342 972 – R2 ledge across river, we shot far RR.
6) 336 986 – R2 chute, we shot far RR channel, easy peasy
7) 335 000 – R1, shot RR to 75m portage. Above R4 drop, caution. Far RL possible line?
Day 17 (Q), 14/08
Campsite: 200 157
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: cold, showers
Tech:
1) 333 016 – beginning is a technical R2 section. We shot RR, eddy hopped and slid down slides. Many rocks. The bottom is like the top, continuous rock garden, shot RR the whole way, P+C
2) 333 028 – “Disney Land” technical R2. The lead up is RR near the shore through the first 2 V’s, and then around the top pillow ledge (about 10 ft. off shore) to an amazing 35 ft. slide! Amazing!
3) R1/R2 boat scout the rest of the way (there is a great ledge RR after the end of 7 mile)
Day 18 (R), 15/08
Campsite: 122 342 32 L/14
Distance: 23km
Hours on water: 7
Weather: Sunny! Mixed clouds
Tech: boat scouted swifts, R1’s from near the end of L/11 onwards
Day 19 (S), 16/08
Campsite: 985 501 32/L13
Distance: 29km
Hours on water: 6
Weather: hot, sunny
Tech: shallow swifts
Day 20 (T), 17/08
Campsite: 865 655 32 M/4
Distance: 23km
Hours on water: 3.5
Weather: hot, no wind
Day 21 (U), 18/08
Campsite: Netitishi, 615 824 42 P/8
Distance: 31.5km
Hours on water: 12.5 (Bay)
Weather: Hot, calm windy
Day 22 (V) 19/08
Campsite: rest
Distance: day
Hours on water: lol
Weather: probs
Day 23 (W), 20/08
Campsite: Long Point
Distance: 20km
Hours on water: 12 hours (Bay tings)
Weather: windy, cool
Day 24 (X), 21/08
Campsite: Cultural centre
Distance: 15km
Hours on water: 3.5
Weather: calm windy