COPPERMINE RIVER -- This wild arctic river runs from the fabulous new diamond fields at Lac de Gras along the edge of the treeline and north to the Arctic Ocean. Historically the lower (northern) river was used by the Coppermine Inuit to reach their inland caribou hunting grounds and to fish for char. On our way we’ll see the caribou and near the mouth of the river the Inuit still fishing to this day. Tundra swans, eagles and falcons, and the Arctic tern summer in the valley. Moose, wolves, arctic fox and bears frequent the river and we might see muskox on the shore. Tales of copper drew Samuel Hearne here in 1771 - the first European to reach the Arctic Ocean overland. Fifty years later Franklin travelled the river as he searched for the Northwest Passage. We’ll paddle the last 400 km of the river through some lakes and many Class 1, 2 and some Class 3 rapids. We’ll paddle the Rocky Defile - 500 meters of rapids in an awe inspiring canyon. We’ll see eagles nesting on the cliffs as we pass between the September Hills and the Coppermine Mountains. At last, in sight of the sea we’ll reach Bloody Falls, our last night’s campsite. The Coppermine River is a perfect adventure for those with some river paddling experience.