Description. 7 years ago. The expedition will examine a segment of the Earth’s crust by canoe along 200 km of the Coppermine River between the Dismal Lakes and Kugluktuk, collecting samples, taking measurements and conducting other scientific studies between July 11 and August 10, 2017. Flowing north and crossing the Arctic Circle the Coppermine River passes from the stunted Tiaga forest and onto the rolling hills of the Barrens. On a second overland expedition to the same region (1825–27), Franklin led a party that explored the North American coast westward from the mouth of the Mackenzie River, in northwestern Canada, to Point Beechey, now in Alaska. On arriving at the Coppermine River, things got a bit more exciting. Franklin's second expedition was the most successful of the three. The Coppermine River is a part of the Canadian Heritage River System – a national river conservation program that recognizes and protects outstanding rivers in Canada. A Canadian Heritage River, the Coppermine is steeped in ancient history of the early Copper Inuit and the more recent history and lore of explorers George Douglas, Samuel Hearn and John Franklin. A 24-year-old British Royal Navy petty officer under the command of Captain John Franklin, Hood participated in an expedition to chart the Coppermine River as part of the search for the Northwest Passage. It was made famous by Samuel Hearne’s 1772 reconnaissance for the Hudson’s Bay Company to confirm reports of copper deposits along its shores. These explorations form part of the basis for Canada's territorial claims to the north today. The 1997 Coppermine River Expedition was a bold step forward in the expedition and fieldwork movement. Access to the Coppermine River is usually by air charter from Yellowknife or a nearby community. The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) was proud to be associated with this remarkable team led by Edward It is possible to portage up the river system from the Snare and Yellowknife Rivers, but this is a long expedition with many portages, recommended only for the … They dealt cautiously with the rapids: Some historic expeditions had failed spectacularly on the Coppermine.
Days are spent paddling through rolling hills and between granite cliffs and outcropping all while watching for ancient inukshuks, moose, caribou, muskox, Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Hood’s final journal entry ended his descriptions of… Always, calmer waters followed the rapids and provided a more meditative travel experience. You can join this adventure by following the expedition’s blog. A second party followed the coast eastward from the Mackenzie to the Coppermine. The river has a long and interesting history. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society: Coppermine River Expedition 2012. from Stefan Superina. On April 16, 1821, midshipman Robert Hood made the last entry in his journal. On a second expedition, from 1825 to 1827, Franklin explored the North American coast from the mouth of the Mackenzie River, in northwestern Canada, westward to Point Beechey (Alaska, USA). The long-haul and milk-run flights that dominate return voyages from Arctic adventure provide a lot of time to reflect on the past month spent collecting plants along the Coppermine River.