Canoeing/Trekking, 'Dragon Mulberry Paddle', Canada - Lakeland Provincial Park, Sep 2011, ID 1162

165 Port Regt RLC (V)

After a two-hour flight delay and an eight and a half hour flight we arrived at Calgary airport and were greeted by our Canadian hosts. We commenced the seven-hour drive from Calgary airport and arrived at Lac La Biche Cadet Centre just after midnight, twenty-four hours after we had left Southampton.

After a good night’s sleep and a very large Canadian breakfast, we headed into the Lakeland Provincial Park. The cadet instructors kindly loaded up a boat with supplies and our bags, along with a trailer full of kayaks and we headed for our campsite. There had been a change in campsite to one on an island due to increased bear activity!

We had a 3km walk with kayaks on our shoulders to the lakeside, followed by a 7km paddle against the wind under the excellent instruction of Cpl Schofield to the Island, which was to be our home for the next week. It was hard slog to the campsite but we experienced some amazing breath taking views along the way.

Once at the campsite tents were quickly erected and firewood collected ready for the evening fire. We were all in awe of the tranquility. The secluded campsite had all we needed, a fire pit, two wooden picnic benches, bear poles – present at Canadian campsites to hoist fresh food up away from hungry paws, and an exposed drop toilet with a great view just a short walk away. Once the fire was raging, we tucked into the hearty Canadian ration packs and found it hard to believe how much we got for one meal. We all hit our sleeping bags soon after sundown so we would be ready for an early start and the next day’s activities. Due to bears having a nose for mint we brushed our teeth using bicarbonate of soda, which is to say the least an interesting taste!

The soldiers were split up into two groups of 6 and we alternated each day’s activities between kayaking and trekking. Each morning we woke up to spectacular lake views and gorgeous sunshine. After more boil-in-the-bags for breakfast, we were suitably fueled and ready to go. Each day one group headed out on the kayaks for the mainland for a day of trekking armed with pepper spray and bear bells to ensure a close encounter didn’t occur. Cpl Mandy Price led a trek round the lake passing many memorials along the way. Cpl Schofield took the other group out on the lake. It was so tranquil and still, the intense sun shone down on the water. A bald headed eagle was spotted and many beaver dams but no beaver sightings at the beginning of the week.

One day after paddling under a bridge as the trekkers were passing over the kayakers, Pte Russo spotted a mother and baby bear through the foliage at the campsite where we were originally supposed to be staying! The trekkers then walked back through this campsite, which is proof that the bear bells work! Every morning was beautiful and peaceful being surrounded by the still lake, what a great setting. The kayakers spotted many beavers (when being quiet enough!) and a pelican. One evening in camp resulted in an almost entire troop swim in the lake, which was very fresh upon initial submersion!

Due to the hot weather those of us who didn’t venture into the lake were glad of the solar showers lent to us by the cadet unit, which we hoisted up on the bear bars!

On a few evenings some went for an evening paddle - the stillness and vastness of the landscape were breathtaking and more beavers were spotted. One evening most of us went out for a two-hour paddle returning only just before dark. On our way out to the island we discovered one of the kayaks had a hole in it! Cpl Schofield used his initiative and used tree sap to mend the kayak ready for the return journey back to the mainland.

At the end of our stay in the field we had drunk ourselves dry due to the unexpected hot weather and had to resort to boiling lake water.

Our wonderful hosts arrived on boats to transport the majority of the kit back. We paddled back from the island in glorious baking sunshine, it was so tranquil and peaceful it was like paddling on a sheet of glass. The reflections were phenomenal, until ‘someone’ started a water fight! At least we dried out quickly in the sunshine. Once back on dry land six willing volunteers tabbed the 6km round trip to get the trolleys for the kayaks in the scorching heat.

Once back at the cadet centre our host Lt Bayduza kindly provided us with moose stew for lunch, which was extremely tasty and much appreciated. After sampling the delights of moose stew we headed to a local range where our hosts had arranged quad bikes for us to use in the surrounding forested area. The quad biking, which was a first encounter for many of us, was an amazing and exhilarating experience through the woods, over logs and under low tree branches. After this fun action packed afternoon it was back to the Cadet centre for a quick shower and change into our expedition polo shirts, then down to the Canadian Legion with for a steak dinner! There was a beautiful sunset over the lake that could be seen from the legion.

The Officer Commanding of 226 Squadron, Major Hope presented Lt Bayduza the first 266 Sqn plaque ever to be awarded outside of the UK. All that remained was the twenty-four hour journey back to Southampton. The expedition was a resounding success and could not have been achieved without the generous support of the Ulysses Trust for which we are all most grateful.

“Life is not about the breaths we take but about the moments that take our breath away” Our adventure-training trip in Canada certainly gave us a few of these.

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