As far as the MacKenzie, I am skeptical about going to Tuk in an open
canoe also. One alternative would be to canoe out to some arbitrary
point where it looks like the ocean starts, and then paddle back to
Inuvik, or arrange a pickup in a boat or even a floatplane. A few hours
in Inuvik talking to people would probably answer the question about
what was practical.

One unusual solution to the shuttle problem involves using Yellowknife
as a hub, taking a bus from Yellowknife to Providence or Hay River, and
then flying back from Inuvik to Yellowknife. Easy if your canoe fits in
a duffel bag. (I have an Old Town 16 footer myself).

Putting a standard canoe on the airplane from Inuvik to Yellowknife is
apt to cost $500 US or so, based on a phone conversation with the
airline, but it can be done. Another option would be to abandon the
canoe in Inuvik. (I think I paid about that much for my canoe, used).

I agree that no one is probably guiding the MacKenzie, too long a trip,
not exotic.

One reason that the MacKenzie river sounds good is that I heard a
lecture and bought a book on Sir MacKenzie, quite a story that even most
Canadians don't know. But there are many other great rivers in the north.

Richard

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I can't imagine that there'd be too many commercial offerings for such
a trip. Most concentrate on something more exotic than the Mackenzie.
If you launch from somewhere like Wrigley, you could drive all the way
in and skip the flight costs. Return to your vehicle would require
a flight, though. Even if you don't drive, finding a commercial flight
into, say, Norman Wells or Fort Good Hope, and leaving from Tuk would
avoid chartering a float plane. I don't know what kind of service is
available to those towns, though, so it might end up the same $ as a
drop in the middle of nowhere. Also, the tail end, getting to Tuk,
would be a hairy paddle in the Arctic Ocean. I'd do it in a sea kayak,
but not a canoe.

The Mackenzie is a big river and it flows fast all the time. You would
be able to cover a lot of distance without paddling. The north end is
interesting as I understand it - lots of shallows and stuff.

The Horton, OTOH, is in the middle of nowhere.

Victoria Jason paddled the Mackenzie and wrote of it in Kabloona In A
Yellow Kayak. She met a couple of guys in a canoe and described
the trip. One of those guys now works for Mountain Equipment Coop
and lurks occasionally on paddling lists.

If you find someone to go with, be forwarned - they'll be as crazy as
you :-) Good luck - it's a trip I've thought of ever since seeing the
Mackenzie at Fort Simpson (stopover on the way to Nahanni).

Mike