Let me take you back in time to a far-away land. A land travelled by few but revered by many. For those who dare to venture into its furthest reaches, the rewards are existential. You may get battered and bruised, covered in mud, and very lost along the way. So let me save you the hardship and instead, regale the tail of the Fireduck from the comfort of your own home.

Fireduck, more than a clothing brand.

Fireduck Animated logo by Peak Adventure Media

As we paddle downstream, signs of humankind dissipate. We’re rewarded with increasing remoteness, stillness, and wild blueberries, an absolute plethora of wild blueberries. One hundred kilometers later after meandering currents and paddling across Lac Vital we reach the start of the real deal class four whitewater.

At last! How exquisite. We quickly mesh as a team and develop a pattern of scouting, giving directions, and having a damn good time. A routine develops, wake up, make a fire, cook oats, break down camp, paddle, riverside lunch, paddle/portage, then choose from the abundance of impeccable spots to camp. Many spots have caribou moss so soft it beats sleeping on a Thermarest. We see moose and wolf tracks amongst our campsites.

I begin to climb into my kayak. I stubbornly decline any help from the slick rocks. Bam. I start sliding towards the river with legs out of my boat, first aid kit flailing in my hands, and no paddle in sight. A swim is inevitable, or so it seems. Nick javelin throws me my paddle and I manage my way into an eddy downstream to drain my waterlogged boat and coddle my ego. 

The next morning we’re welcomed by immense fiords and looming granite cliffs. It’s stunning. Unreal. I patter around camp as the sun rises. In the distance, I hear a distinct sound, “walla-walla-tooowet”. The fireduck. I glance over my shoulder just in time to see it take off from the surface of the lake and soar towards the rising sun. Truly the most majestic animal on our planet. A master of all four elements, waddling on land, swimming through rapids, gliding high in the ski, and of course, breathing fire. 

After the challenges upstream, we cruise down the last section of river over the next couple of days. We take time to soak it all in. The massive, un-runnable waterfalls, lush forest, and of course, best friends. We came for the adventure and left with promises to explore as a team again in the future. 

If you have questions about planning a kayaking trip down the Magpie Ouest, feel free to contact me. Here is a good, informative starting point: http://canadariversguidebook.ca/section/magpie-ouest. 

You can support my small business by checking out the variety of Fireduck Productions fleece t-shirts online and email me to purchase your custom tee today!

Email: addiebertoni@gmail.com
Instagram: @fireduck_productions

Photo Credits: Nick Stead & Fraser Capella
Photo Editor: Ben Baber