Athabasca River Journey

Athabasca, Alberta
July 25th-30th, 2003

Athabasca River Profile

Rising crystal clear from the glaciers in Jasper National Park, the Athabasca River is the longest in Alberta. It is one of the most diverse and productive river valley systems in the mixedwood boreal forest. The river stretches over 1,500 km through mountains, prairies, forests and muskeg to the Peace-Athabasca Delta in Wood Buffalo National Park. The Delta is one of the largest inland freshwater deltas in the world, and is thought to be the most significant "hydrological feature" in Alberta. Click here for information on Wood Buffalo National Park's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Before roads and railways, the Athabasca River, which borders Wood Buffalo National Park, served as a key gateway to the north. It was first used by First Nations peoples, and later fur traders and European settlers. Today, it serves a variety of recreational paddlers and visitors to the region.

The Athabasca Heartland, surrounding Wood Buffalo National Park in northeastern Alberta, contains some of the last true wilderness in the province.


Athabasca River Journey

The Boreal Rendezvous' Athabasca river trip began at Fort McKay and travel north and went through the delta to the mouth of Lake Athabasca. This section of the river is graded Class 1 with little or no rapids.

Athabasca River Team

    * Dr. Suzanne Bayley, scientist
    * Tara Cullis, David Suzuki Foundation
    * Carmen Ditzler, guide
    * David Dodge, photographer
    * Ken Dryden
    * Jacqueline Hutchinson, guide
    * Melody Lepine, Mikisew Cree First Nations
    * Peter Robinson, CEO, Mountain Equipment Co-op
    * Dr. David Schindler, scientist
    * Rick Schneider, scientist
    * Jill Sturdy, CPAWS Edmonton
    * David Suzuki
    * Helene Walsh, CPAWS Edmonton
    * Cathy Wilkinson, Canadian Boreal Initiative

Outfitter

The Athabasca River Journey was outfitted by river guides Jacqueline Hutchinson and Carmen Ditzler. Local Sponsors CPAWS thanks the following organizations for their support: