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Boreal River Whitewater Rafting Guides Lead Trip on Quebec's Endangered Romaine River
Boreal River, an environmentally friendly whitewater-trip company based in Montreal, Quebec, is offering an eight-day guided rafting trip on the Romaine River, one of the most beautiful, undisturbed and enjoyable waterways in the world. The Romaine River is in Quebec's Cote-Nord Region—or North Shore—which is bordered by the St. Lawrence River, Labrador and Newfoundland.
The Romaine River is in peril, and the summer of 2009 may be one of the final chances to see this mighty river in person before the environment undergoes drastic changes.
"We fly in by float plane and spend a week exploring a landscape where few travelers have dipped their paddles or left their footprints," says Danny Peled, founder and director of Boreal River. "This trip is for anyone who is physically active. No previous whitewater or camping experience is necessary to take part in this spectacular wilderness journey.
"I've been lucky to have guided trips on some of the greatest rivers in Canada, Costa Rica, Chile and the U.S.," says Peled. "On my first visit to the Cote-Nord I was awestruck. The Romaine and Magpie Rivers are like no others in North America. They have warm water, truly pristine wilderness, and practically non-stop current with great rapids for rafting and kayaking."
The Romaine River is currently under imminent threat from Hydro Quebec's estimated $6.5-billion development plan, which would forever alter both the river and the surrounding wilderness. The dam project would render future rafting trips on this river impossible. And construction of access roads and the more than 300-mile-long transmission lines threaten tourism in the surrounding region including the famous Magpie River. Until the damming occurs, Boreal River will be offering everyone the opportunity to experience the Romaine River firsthand.
The trip dates are Aug. 23–Aug. 30, 2009, with a maximum of 10 guests. Trips meet in Sept Iles in Quebec's North Shore. The price includes all ground transportation and float plane flights from the meeting points onwards; all accommodations for seven nights (two nights shared hotel room, five nights individual tent); all food from day one dinner through day eight breakfast; some wine and spirits for evenings at camp; high-quality camping equipment (large drybag, expedition tent, inflatable mattress, sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner, pillow with pillow case); river equipment including personal flotation device, helmet and splash jacket; basic fishing equipment and fishing permits; and professional guide staff.
Founded in 2008 by experienced river guides and touring experts Danny Peled and Letha Henry, Boreal River specializes in multiday whitewater trips in the Cote-Nord region of Quebec. On the renowned Magpie River, the Romaine River's sister body of water, participants can raft, kayak, learn how to fly fish and experience the virgin boreal forest.
"When people first arrive to the area they are struck by the beautiful landscape and charmed by the friendly maritime culture of the coastal villages," says Peled. "After a week on the river surrounded by nature you get a sense for how lucky we are to be have places like this and to able to visit them."
Boreal River is a member of ‘1% for the Planet,' donating one percent of gross sales to nonprofit organizations working on local and global environmental issues, including Alliance Romaine, a group that is committed to safeguarding the future of the Romaine River. As well, all Boreal River trips follow the ‘Leave No Trace' camping guideline, adhering to the expression, "leave only footprints, take only photographs."
For more information or to book a trip, visit www.borealriver.com or call toll-free (866) 242-9383.