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Paddlers Complete Mackenzie River in Northern Canada

Jason Rowland, 32, and Chad Robertson, 27, have arrived in Inuvik after completing an 1,800 kilometre paddle down the Mackenzie River in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

The two left Jasper and towed their Canoe over 1,000 kilometres north to Hay River before setting off. It’s the first time that anyone has towed their canoe behind a bicycle such a far distance before the paddle.

They encountered a number of issues along the way, including stolen food, but survived the long trip.

“People really underestimate the river,” said Rowland. “You don’t try to paddle on headwind days. It throws you around, and you can capsize quite quickly. It can be a pretty deadly river.”

Once in Inuvik, Rowland sold the canoe withing a few hours. The two paddlers then traveled to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean to celebrate their trip with a swim in the cold.

Rowland said the ocean wasn’t as cold compared to “some rivers I’ve jumped in, the Athabasca, now that’s cold.”

The Mackenzie River is the second largest in North America after the Mississippi River.

Jason Rowland and Chad Robertson

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