Trip Report-Copia 2025
Friday, March 13th
4:30 Presentation: Bear Paulsen-Canoeing the Arctic Prairies
This was the first and only session that I attended given how late I arrived and the dinner plans unfolding.

Bear did a really thorough run-through of his family's adventures down the Thelon to Baker lake. He was accompanied by his wife Claire and son, Dash. He made it look almost easy and very doable to hit this long rapid filled river (they portage---A LOT) but the scenery was stunning and the weather(mostly) cooperated. The total float was 39days. There was an expensive (he didn't say how much) ride from Winnipeg up to an outfitter in the NWT. I should have taken better notes at this point -- I can't remember the name--maybe Suskeena? Then they boarded another smaller plane and flew with a smaller ground (less than 10) to the headwaters of the Thelon (Whitefish lake). His wife Claire provided most if not all of the photography which was impressive: Muskox, caribou, artic fox, wolves, terns and much much more.

Overall, it was a well done presentation and entertaining to see what their son wanted to do versus what the adults wanted

More to come....Saturday's presentations.

Meeting in the lobby at 6. Then over to the Breakwater, which is where the other group’s dinner was last year

To those QJers in Madison: have we settled on a time to gather in the lobby? Has a restaurant choice been made? I'm open to wherever the group decides.

He has a new YouTube video up about portage-less canoe routes. Also, snow coming in this weekend, so we'll have to plan accordingly for travel.

6-ish works great!

We'll plan on it.
ml

ML - speaking for me and hopefully MP since we're carpooling, I think we'd both be in for that.  What time are you thinking of meeting - 6:00 ish?  Folks not at the hotel could also rendezvous at the restaurant.

pd

As we're getting closer, I'm just curious if people are still interested in getting together Friday?

We can meet up at the hotel and go over to the Breakwater. Lots of room there.

Thoughts?
ml

Bump.

On the next try for a room Paula was told they had very few rooms left so no discounts. After checking the program schedule I have decided to make the one hour drive for Sunday's presentations. The 1:30 Northern Tier program is their program in Atikaki PP in Manitoba where I have been paddling lately.

I am hoping to make it to Canoecopia for one of the days, but not sure which one yet.  My son cannot make it this year.  Hopefully I will see some of you there.