Guides
- 6:1 ratio
150 km of pure whitewater fun, the Broken Skull River is known in Mountain Dene as Pı̨́ı̨́p’enéh łéetǫ́ǫ́ Deé, pronounced Pip-en-ay Lee-toh Day. The river starts high in the Mackenzie Mountains and boasts excellent class 1 and 2 whitewater, pristine hot springs, great hiking and truly untravelled wilderness.
We will meet in Norman Wells and fly into Divide Lake (Ǫtaa Tu Fehto), where we will follow ‘Cold Feet Creek’ to the Broken Skull (Pı̨́ı̨́p’enéh łéetǫ́ǫ́ Deé). We will take time for hiking during this first portion of the river descent, with a few shorter paddling days to optimize this aspect of the trip. Continuing downstream with consistent, runnable rapids, we meet the South Nahanni (Nahʔą Dehé), and transition to backpacking mode, spending five or six days hiking into and exploring the Cirque of the Unclimbables, depending on how the schedule has progressed to that point. Our last days’ paddle will take us to Nahanni National Park’s Rabbitkettle Lake (Gahnįhthah Mie), where we will meet our charter flight to Fort. Simpson, NWT.
Want to Learn More?
Click here for a detailed trip package with an itinerary and a full list of inclusions and exclusions. To access a recommended packing & rentals list, click here.
Other Broken Skull Options
We also offer a Broken Skull paddling trip (no Cirque hike), and a combined Broken Skull and Nahanni River trip for those wishing to extend their paddling adventure!
