Portage Maintenance

A large part of the Friends of Chiniguchi organization's maintenance program is spent on portage maintenance. The Ministry of Natural Resources phased out it's backcountry maintenance program during the 1980s, and since then, the onus has been on the individual users to maintain the extensive network of portage trails, or Nastawgan, as these routes were commonly referred to by the Ojibway.

The Chiniguchi Waterway is part of the largest interconnected network of canoe routes in the world, and portages are under the constant threat of disappearing without regular use and maintenance. The more popular routes require little maintenance, save clearing a few deadfalls that block the trails each season. It is the older, less travelled routes that the FoC has taken an active role in rehabilitating and maintaining. These routes often offer more challenging terrain, but the paddler is rewarded with tranquility and solitude.

Thunderboxes

As with any popular canoeing destination, the campsites along these routes require regular maintenance. The largest impact we, as canoeists have on the campsites is the disposal of human waste. The thunderbox program that has been implemented along the Chiniguchi Waterway, helps to minimize the impact we have on the environment.

Currently, more thunderboxes are in the works for distribution during the 2007 paddling season. For more information about this project, or to make a donation to help with the purchase of materials for future thunderboxes, contact mike@friendsofchiniguchi.com