Wild Canoe Adventure on the Paull River

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on the Paull River, SK, please refer to the Government of Saskatchewan website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, local canoeing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 8 days of canoeing
  • Charter flight to Paull Lake on the Paull River from Missinipe, Saskatchewan
  • Transportation to and from the La Ronge Airport and Missinipe
  • Transportation of guides, group gear, canoe, etc. to and from the trip
  • Meals from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 7
  • Snacks
  • Accommodation in Missinipe on Day 0
  • Accommodation in tents during canoeing days
  • 17’ Prospector expedition canoes
  • Paddles, PFD, helmets, tents, and canoe rescue gear
  • Throw lines and other safety accessories
  • All cooking equipment
  • First aid and repair kits
  • Communications equipment (satellite phone)
  • Saskatchewan tax

What’s not included:

• • Transportation before and after the trip
  • Accommodation in Missinipe and Saskatoon after the trip
  • Meals not specified under “what’s included”
  • Personal clothing and gear
  • Any additional expenses as a result of delays to the trip and due to your emergency evacuation from the trip

In order to participate in this canoeing adventure on the Paull River, you need to have a very good level of fitness. You should be capable of carrying a heavy load (packs and barrels) or a canoe (75 lb / 34 kg). You’ll be paddling for 8 days for a total of 62 miles (100 km) and you should expect some portages each day at waterfalls or rapids that you cannot or would not prefer to paddle. There are at least 8 mandatory portages and up to 10 portages in total. Some of these can be in poor condition, and will undoubtedly have poor footing and mud. You should be prepared to carry your share of the group’s load. Most portages are less than 0.2 miles (300 m), but on the last day, depending on the route you choose and the skill of the group, there could be a portage of 0.7 miles (1,100 m).

Previous flatwater canoeing experience is necessary. This trip is best for paddlers with canoeing experience who want a longer, more challenging trip. Experience in lake paddling is necessary and whitewater experience is certainly an asset. There are many rapids that are very easy (Class 1 or an easy 2), but there are also many that are much more difficult.

Canoes, paddles, personal floatation devices, helmets, throw lines and other accessories, tents, all cooking equipment, first aid and repair kits, communications equipment, and canoe rescue gear will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed
  • Personal clothing
  • Gloves
  • Sun hat
  • Toque 
  • Rain pants
  • Pants
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Jacket
  • Warm jacket
  • Sweater
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • T-shirts
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunglasses lanyard
  • Running shoes
  • Sandals
  • Swimsuit
  • Bug clothing
  • Lifejacket with whistle
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Spare clothes for layering
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this group canoeing adventure, the max. client to guide ratio is 5:1. 
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Canoeing on the Paull River can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A deposit of 50% of the total price is due with your booking unless otherwise indicated. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed. Final payments are due 120 days before your trip starts. If you book the trip within 120 days of departure, full payment is due upon booking. Please note that deposits are absolutely non-refundable, and final payments are non-refundable after the final payment date. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

• • If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing (best by email). Once your booking is confirmed, you and your guiding service enter into financial obligations and they cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, it is highly recommended buying cancellation insurance to cover your losses for the case that you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”.
  • Your guiding service does reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Your guiding service will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond their reasonable control.

To get to the Paull River, most people fly into Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) and then fly into La Ronge (Barber Field) Airport (YVC), 1 hour away from Missinipe, SK, where your adventure will start. From the La Ronge airport, your guiding service will transport you to Missinipe. On Day 2, you’ll take a charter flight to Paull Lake on the Paull River from Missinipe.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you’ll be picked up at the La Ronge airport and transferred to Missinipe. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

On Day 8, the trip ends at Devil Lake or Otter Rapids. From there, you’ll be transferred to Missinipe, where you’ll spend the night and have an optional group dinner at your own expense or depart from Missinipe to the La Ronge airport, but this shuttle can also go the next day. You can catch a flight to Saskatoon and after that, you can spend the night in Saskatoon at your own expense, stay for a celebratory meal together, or fly back home.