Proposed Sea Kayaking Trip to Great Slave Lake East Arm, August 2021

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Trip Organizer: Sam Wyss  sonsamw@gmail.com

I’m considering organizing a trip to the East Arm of Great Slave Lake and wonder if there is any interest from club members in participating. The trip would take place within the first two weeks of August 2021 starting out of Yellowknife.

The following is an approximate itinerary:

Day 1: Meeting Point Yellowknife Bay, boat shuttle from Yellowknife to drop off at Gross Cap at the entrance to the East Arm. Camp for the night. (Shuttling distance ~75K, 7.5hrs travel time, cost is $850 one way for the group. The cost of the shuttle often gets shared with others such as people going fishing, to camps etc. the price quoted is the highest price to expect.)

Days 2-7: Exploring the East Arm towards Etten Island camping on a different spot each night unless a layover day is preferred due to location or required due to weather.

Day 8: Returning to drop off point at Gross Cap and camp for the night

Day 9: Return to Yellowknife by shuttle, cost $850 for the group

What to expect: GLSKA trip classification C-3. Paddling Great Slave Lake East Arm can be considered similar to paddling Lake Superior however, it is more remote. Due to its geographical location, the lake typically stays frozen until the middle of June with water temperatures less than 10˚C all summer. The East Arm is dotted with Islands offering great scenery from the water and by on foot exploring.

Group size 3-6 people, daily paddling distance 25-35K, depending on route taken expect crossings of up to 7K. Each participant will have to provide their own kayaking equipment, camping gear, food, cooking stove, utensils, clothing etc. Some shared group gear will be required such as emergency communication device(s), first aid kit, tarp(s) for shelter, maps etc. There won’t be any cell phone reception. If required, Kayaks and camping gear can be rented from two outfitters I’m aware of in Yellowknife.

Here are some descriptions gleaned from the internet:

The fabled East Arm of Great Slave Lake has a spectacular reputation among locals, and for good reason.

The East Arm of Great Slave Lake features deep, clear water with abundant islands, narrow channels with tall red cliffs, and world-class fishing. With craggy cliffs and rocky islands, the islands of the East Arm support bald eagles, terns and gulls. Breathtaking cliffs are built from rock as old as 2.7-billion years (the oldest in the world), making for some of the most epic campsites you’ll ever experience. If fishing is your thing, you’ll definitely want to bring a fishing rod to enjoy the seemingly bottomless depths surrounding these islands. They are swarming with trophy-sized lake trout. And because the lake is clean and cold, fish keep near the surface in summer, making for plenty fishing opportunities from a kayak and from camp.

Great Slave Lake, located in the southern half of the Northwest Territories, is the 11th largest in the world and, after Great Bear, the biggest entirely within Canada. It measures in at 28,568 square kilometres, roughly the same size as Belgium. Great Slave Lake is also North America’s deepest lake, reaching a maximum depth of more than 615 metres in its East Arm– deep enough to cover the CN Tower.

If you are interested in participating and/or like some more information please contact me at sonsamw@gmail.com

GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.