The Kuujjua River and Beaufort Sea (12/9/2010)

On Dec 9th Jim and Ted Baird will bring to life the events of the Kuujjua River and Beaufort Sea Expedition for the T.O.C. The Baird brothers have been fortunate enough to paddle all over Canada, on rivers such as the South Nahanni, Moisie, Stikine, Pukaskwa and more, but when they were looking for the ultimate challenge in extreme remoteness they found the Kuujjua. Their journey took them to Cambridge Bay Nunavut on Victoria Island from where they would fly to over 500km north of the Arctic Circle by float plane with plans to paddle 400km of the Kuujjua River, and 115 km of the Beaufort Sea. They completed the expedition but not with out enduring a very dangerous experience. On their journey they encountered Arctic wolves, caribou and muskoxen, ate Arctic char, stumbled across several ancient Inuit campsites, and they even found a stone cairn left behind by 1850’s explorers. Their presentation includes professionally shot images that show the stark and unique beauty of the Kuujjua River country.

Come a half hour early and have something to eat and drink at Chalkers! It's a great way to spend some time with your TOC friends!

About our presenters:

JIM BAIRD has lead, planned, and executed an accumulation of over twenty -two weeks of expeditions to some of the most remote parts of the World. Jim; a sixth generation Canadian, has paddled his canoe through turbulent waters in places that include Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. In 2008, he traveled to the far flung reaches of the North -- the wild and untamed high Arctic to complete a decent of the Kuujjua River with only the companionship of his brother Ted. The Baird’s journey did not end where the Kuujjua did at the Arctic Ocean; they became the first people to navigate, by canoe, a treacherous and unforgiving stretch of coastline on western Victoria Island in Canada’s Arctic Archipelago, a mission that proved life threatening. Travelling deep into the Peruvian Amazon where he rafted and trekked extensively, sleeping for several weeks in a wall-less hut, Jim learned many secrets of the rainforest from native teachers. Almost all of Jim’s trips have been fully planned funded and executed by him. Loyal sponsors he has acquired have also provided needed help.

Jim spends time in the outdoors in all seasons of the year and has accumulated a wide range of survival skills as part of his insatiable thrust for out-of-doors knowledge. A keen eye for photography and a gift for writing and presenting help him share what he takes home from his adventures. His skill for entertaining and presenting was honed in the past when he performed several times as a standup comedian and improviser. Jim has written features articles for numerous outdoor publications and presented to school groups, canoe clubs and at major symposiums. He has also appeared in newspapers concerning outdoor issues and has been on nationally syndicated radio shows. Much of the preparation and planning of his expeditions, combined with a thirst for knowledge and a deeper purpose, have led Jim on an in-depth study of GPS compass, and map navigation, wilderness first aid (a skill he has used to save lives), paddling, camping and survival skill, knowledge of traditional native ways, early exploration, fur trade routes, and an understanding of watersheds (Navigating by observing which way water flows), but perhaps above all, he has acquired the rational decision making skills, vital for leading expeditions through dangerous and remote terrain.

Jim’s love of adventure spawned at an early age as he was set free to roam throughout one of the largest and last major crown land areas in southern Ontario where his grandfather built a water access cottage. Some of the rivers Jim has descended include the Moisie, Kuujjua, Pukaskwa, Dog, Liard, Upper and Lower Stikine, Petawawa, Dumoine, and the fabled South Nahanni. He has also paddled significant distances on the tempestuous Beaufort Sea, the northern Pacific Ocean, and the rugged north shore of Lake Superior. Jim Baird will not rest until his body will no longer allow him to undertake the physical nature of an expedition. He hopes to reach out and touch as many people as he can with his passion for travel in wild places and his deep love and respect for the wilderness, as it is a deep love of the natural world that fuels his spirit.

TED BAIRD is a hardcore outdoor enthusiast who has successfully completed several daring expeditions in some of the most remote wilderness areas of Canada. On one such occasion Ted paddled an unsupported 5 week expedition on the Kuujjua River and Beaufort Sea, located over 500 km's above the Arctic Circle. Ted's passion for adventuring has taken him to Labrador and northern Quebec where he paddled the expert classed Moisie River. He has also ventured to the Northwest Territories where he descended the Nahanni River.Ted has taken on rivers of Lake Superior’s most remote north shore watersheds – the Pukaskwa River and the extremely challenging Dog River.

Ted is a published photographer and excellent presenter; he often teams up in a duo with his brother Jim forming a combination that delivers a roller-coaster of emotions to audiences. Ted has received sponsorship from the likes of Kokatat Water Sports Wear, Interactive Nutrition, Roadpost Satellite Phone Provider, Ostrom Outdoors, Pakboat Folding Canoes, and more. Many of the skills Ted has acquired were learned during a lifetime of adventure on the crown land, lakes and forests surrounding his family cottage. It was here that at a very young age Ted became in tune with his true love of nature and passion for adventure.

His great work ethic and his drive to push on when the going gets tough make Ted an excellent recruit on any expedition. Ted has been known to carry 200 lb loads on long, grueling portage's and paddle relentlessly into bitter cold winds, without rest for hours on end. For example, on one such occasion, Ted and his brother Jim completed a very dangerous, 3 hour portage were they had to lower their canoe, gear, and each other, down rocky cliffs on eighty foot ropes to access the river at the trails end. This feat was immediately followed by 35 kilometers of flat out paddling, through freezing rain, on the most remote shoreline of windswept Lake Superior. Ted has also had many close encounters with wild animals including, bears, musk-ox, and Moose, he has come face to face with an angry Lynx while exploring a small cave, and has been followed for a mile by a pack of wolves.

Having played a high level of hockey his whole life Ted has developed a competitive attitude, and knows the importance of working as a team. Whatever the challenge Ted will face it head on, throwing all he has at the task, relentlessly pushing on until the goal is complete. Entertaining and funny Ted helps lighten the mood and boost morale in grim situations, which can be a familiar occurrence on endeavors like wilderness expeditions.

Driving: Marlee Avenue runs parallel to Allen Road, Chalkers is between Eglinton and Lawrence.

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Cost may go down if the number of attendees goes above 25. Jenn M will advise participants of this.