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DAY 1: SEPT-ISLE / MAGPIE LAKE
This morning we meet in the small French-speaking town of Sept-Isle on the St. Lawrence River. A short drive brings us to a lake where the float plane takes us to our launching point on Magpie Lake. The forty minute flight over the rugged glaciated terrain is spectacular: views of cliff-top lakes, thunderous waterfalls, deep gorges and dense forests unfold as far as the eye can see. After a series of banked turned around granite walls, we land on Magpie Lake just above where the river spills into the first rapid.

DAYS 2-6: MAGPIE RIVER
For the next six days we explore a region which, aside from the occasional explorer, few people have ever seen. At night, the clear northern sky is filled with stars and the magical pulsing light of the aurora borealis. There are small islands and beaches covered with tracks of moose and bear. Pine trees laden with osprey nests and rocky shores lined with sun-bleached bone-colored driftwood abound. A highlight of the trip is Magpie Falls where the entire river hurtles 80 feet off the Laurentian plateau in a thunderous crescendo of sound and spray. Our campsite directly across from the falls is one of the most spectacular found on any river in the world. The Magpie's remote falls, deep pools and pristine water make for excellent fishing.

DAY 7: MAGPIE RIVER / SEPT ISLE
Today after a short carry around a small picturesque falls we run a final Class 4+ rapid, paddle across a miniature lake enclosed by smooth glaciated granite walls, and take out just above the Magpie-St. Lawrence junction.With the vast wilderness to our right and the open St. Lawrence to our left, we make the drive back to Sept-Isle, passing through small Indian fishing villages and watching for moose and whales. After a farewell dinner, we spend the night at a hotel.

DAY 8: SEPT ISLE/ MONTREAL
After breakfast, we begin our journey home.

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