Canoeist praised for ‘changing the map of Canada’ after dramatic encounter with unknown waterfalls

National Post ^ | 7/31/13 | Jake Edmiston

[LibWhacker]

Aerial photographs from the 1950s didn’t prepare Adam Shoalts for what he was about to encounter. The self-dubbed “modern explorer” was canoeing a stretch of little-known whitewater rapids just south of Hudson Bay when the river started to disappear in front of him. Courtesy: Adam Shoalts

“I’ve discovered a waterfall and now I’m about to go straight over it,” Mr. Shoalts thought. “This is not good.”

He tried to back paddle, but the current was too swift. And then, “It’s past the point of no return.”

The current pivoted his canoe sideways, sending him down the 12-metre waterfall. As he fought against the undertow and swam to shore, Mr. Shoalts couldn’t help congratulating himself for making a discovery that “just doesn’t happen in the 21st century.”

The August 2012 trip marked the first time on record that anyone had traversed the Again River, a 100-kilometre tributary straddling the Northern Ontario-Quebec border that was too likely too marginal to sustain ancient aboriginal populations and too rocky for fur traders.

After rescuing most of his gear downstream and using duct tape to repair his dented canoe, Mr. Shoalts proceeded along the river to find six more uncharted waterfalls. And now, with the backing of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), Mr. Shoalts is poised to return to the area this week to properly document one of the last blind spots acknowledged by Canadian geographers.

Already, the RCGS has lauded Mr. Shoalts for “changing the map of Canada, a true rarity in 21st-century exploration.”

[LibWhacker]

His description of blood-sucking flies covering his face all day long would've been enough to deter me! I'm a wuss.

[hinckley buzzard]

Those flies are known to be a danger even to caribou, who have learned to seek dry terrain, away from water, to reduce their exposure to huge numbers of them.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Shoalts shoals..

[RJS1950]

That type of discovery is unique in this day and age of mapping from space through the span of visible and invisible spectra.

[Steely Tom]

Isn't the Map of Canada the product of a consensus.

How can a single person change a consensus?

[Tenacious 1]

“It has the highest concentration of blood-sucking insects in the entire world,” said Mr. Shoalts. “It’s just a mass intensity of black flies attacking your face relentlessly, all day long.”

I've heard of these nasty blood suckers. Here in the states we call them Democrats.

[Standing Wolf]

I've heard of these nasty blood suckers. Here in the states we call them Democrats.

Small wonder they banned DDT.

[Puppage]

He went oot in aboot.

No wait, it was a canoe.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I bet he finds an overturned shopping cart and a couple crushed, rusty cans of Iron City beer.

[Celtic Conservative]

Another victory for that Canadian superhero, Mr. Canoehead!

CC

[chrisser]

Mr. Shoalts proceeded along the river to find six more uncharted waterfalls

I hope he used a different discovery technique than what he used on the first one.

[GeronL]

Amazing to think there are still places people have not visited

[Mercat]

Very cool.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You have to dress for it, or so I'm told.
We stopped at one of the amethyst mines near Thunder Bay some years ago on a trip around Lake Superior. When I turned off the car, the black fly buzz waiting for us outside was nearly as loud as our old Chevy.

[Paine in the Neck]

I hope he used a different discovery technique than what he used on the first one.

Yes, finding waterfalls from upstream by the braille method - not recommended.

[hecticskeptic]

I hope he used a different discovery technique than what he used on the first one.

Maybe 3M is a sponsor and hoping he can crack his canoe up a few more times along the way. I've had to patch up a canoe using duct tape in northern Ontario myself on a few occasions.

[Hot Tabasco]

His description of blood-sucking flies

Black Flies,(oops, I meant "flies of color" or "yooper-American" flies) they're the scourge of our Michigan's wilderness dominant upper penninsula for summer campers.

[JoeProBono]

[Moltke]

“It has the highest concentration of blood-sucking insects in the entire world,” said Mr. Shoalts. “It’s just a mass intensity of black flies attacking your face relentlessly, all day long.”

"Try the burka." *badda bing* "I'll be here all week long. Don't forget to tip your waitress."

[rochester_veteran]

His description of blood-sucking flies covering his face all day long would've been enough to deter me! I'm a wuss.

Black flies are nasty little suckers! I've gotten swollen glands from getting bit by one on the neck. My wife and younger son got sick from black fly bites. They're small but vicious:

This is how the bite will swell up: