La Riviere Romaine

 Quebec is known for two things.  Poutine and Water.  On a recent trip to the eastern reaches of this candian province 9 kayakers found both to be spectacular.  The Romaine river provided us with 6 days of unbeievable kayaking in a vast setting that is threatened by a massive hydro power project. 

After finishing an Xterra race in Lake Placid we began the through-the-night 20 hour slog to Havre-St. Pierre to meet our float plane.  With the whole crew assembled and packed, we were delicately placed in the wilderness about 120 miles noth of the St. Lawrence  on the Romaine River. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We watched our float plane climb out of sight, slipped into the water, started on our journey down the river.  The first day was a bit of a warm-up just getting down to our first camp.

 The next few days went by like a blur.  There were amazing rapids, perfect campsites, and incredible scenery to keep us entertained during the flatwater sections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On day 4 we were met face to face with the harsh reality that the Romaine River is facing.  Hydro-Quebec has begun a massive hydro-power project on the Romaine and plans to begin diverting sections of the river by 2013. 

From this point on the river felt very big.  Huge volume rapds were separated by huge volumes of flatwater.  We took our time down in this section making to sure to appreciate every minute. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our final day we spent some time checking out the Grande Chute, and did battle with the bog to avoid an extra day of pure flatwater. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We clawed our way through the bog, hitch hiked back to the cars, and started the long journey home.  It was a great adventure.  I’d go back today if I could. 

It’s important to mention that this trip would not have been possible without the information provided by members of previous trips down the Romaine.  Big thanks go out to Fred Corielle, Boyce Greer, and Trip Kinney for steering us in the right direction. 

check out www.five2nine.ca for some videos coming soon.