11-Aug-2002 -- This confluence was bagged on our annual family canoe trip. This year's trip, we decided, would be in central Canada as we had not really explored this area yet.

Our first thought was to go to Quetico Park but a local outfitter informed me of the numerous people that frequent this area. Seeing our annual trips are meant to take us away from people, after some research, we came up with White Otter lake. To get to this lake though, one must start in Clearwater West lake and portage in. While exploring this area back in early July (before I found out about the project) I came across this confluence purely by accident. I noticed the long and lat of the GPS were coming close to exact numbers and remembering an article I had read on confluences, thought to see how close I could get. At that time, I came within 30 meters with it being in the bush to the west. On returning from the first trip, a friend sent me the URL for this project and from that point on, I knew I could bag this one.

We all met at Browns' Clearwater West Lodge and began our trip from there. A survey on the beach showed not a lot of enthusiasm for bagging it though we all would stop and check things out. Once finding a suitable spot to go ashore (within 60 meters), only Tom and I were brave enough to endure the mosquitos and bush to find the exact point. After climbing a somewhat steep rock cliff, both Tom and I found the point to be more to the north of us which brought us down the other side of the cliff. The canopy of the trees was playing with the readings a bit however we did manage to get a somewhat exact reading, give or take 3 meters.

Having found the point, we took our photos and continued on with the week. The idea had been put forth to save the confluence for the trip out however it was a good thing we decided otherwise. With heavy rain and generally not nice conditions coming out, no one was in the mood to stop for anything.