| THE MAP ROOM |
| This page contains a complete map list for the Northern Ungava Canoe Expedition. We carried a complete set of 1 : 250,000 scale maps for our route and many of the 1 : 50,000 scale maps for areas when navigation was difficult and greater detail was required. Click a link on the map of Nunavik below to see a description of that stage of the trip. Navigation hints are also given farther down on this page along with a few examples of the 1 : 250,000 scale maps that we used. |
| 34 G Lac Minto |
| 34 I Lac La Potherie |
| 1 : 250,000 scale maps 34 C Lac Guillaume - Delisle 34 G Lac Minto 34 H Lac Nedlouc 34 I Lac La Potherie 34 P Lac Du Pelican 25 D Riviere Arnaud (Payne) |
| 1 : 50,000 scale maps 34 C/16 Riviere Itilliq 34 B/13 34 G/4 Lac Tikirartuuq 34 G/3 Lac Dornon 34 G/2 Lac Levitre 34 G/7 Colline Qummuangajuq 34 G/8 Baie Ogier 34 I/2 Lac Serindac 34 I/3 Lac Lintelle 34 I/6 Lac Morie 34 I/5 Lac Ladignac 34 I/12 Lac Bisson 34 I/13 Lac Serin 34 P/4 Lac Gobinet 34 P/5 Lac Tunusuk |
| Nastapoka River |
| Lake Minto |
| Leaf River |
| Vizien River |
| Lac Tasialouc |
| Payne Lake |
| Payne River |
The red shows Inuit inhabited land in Canada. Nunavik and
the Ungava Peninsula are surrounded by the yellow box and
our route is highlighted in yellow.
the Ungava Peninsula are surrounded by the yellow box and
our route is highlighted in yellow.
Nunavik Our route is highlighted in red and each stage is outlined in yellow. Click the link to learn
more about each stage. Stages one and two were traveling stages and did not take place entirely
on this map.
more about each stage. Stages one and two were traveling stages and did not take place entirely
on this map.
Here is part of a 1 : 250,000 scale map used on the trip. Notice that we kept markings to a minimum in ordre to avoid
obscuring important landmarks.
obscuring important landmarks.
The numerous lakes in northern Quebec demand that you always have a map
handy and pay attention to your position at all times.
handy and pay attention to your position at all times.
| THE IMPORTANCE OF MAPS Accurate maps and a working knowledge of how to navigate is essential for any trip into the wilderness. Getting lost in a wilderness area the size of Ungava is not an option. We carried both 1:250,000 and 1 : 50,000 scale maps for our route. Our charts were waterproofed with Thompson's Waterseal and stored in zip lock baggies. The day's active map was kept in a ziplock bag inside of another waterproof map case with grommets that allowed it to be clipped to our boat or a pack. Carrying a copy of your maps is a smart ideal as well. |
| HINT - To waterproof your maps coat them with Thompson's Waterseal and hang until dry. On the trip always keep your maps in plastic bags. Remember, only the day's active map needs to be unpacked. |
| THE NEED FOR A COMPASS The Canadian Government topo maps are extremely accurate and the treeless terrain of Ungava allows for a lot of visual navigation. Despite this, a working compass and the ability to use it is essential. Travel on large lakes can be surprisingly complicated and there were several times on our trip when the only way we chose the correct route was because of our compass. When in doubt trust your compass as its opinion is not subjective. Good compasses are available for $20 to $100 dollars and a fancy model is not necesary. |
| DECLINATION Declination is the difference between your position and true north versus magnetic north. As a rule, the farther north you go, the greater the declination. Maps are oriented to true north while you compass points to magnetic north. Because of this, when declinations are high it is essential to be sure you know which north you are dealing with. On our trip the declination varied between 22 degrees and 34 degrees westerly. This means that when our compasses pointed north (magnetic north) we had to add the declination to the bearing so it would align with our map. Not accounting for the declination at the start of a long portage would leave us far off course at its completion. Example of declination - We look at our map and see that we want to portage to a pond that is 35 degrees east of north on the map. To proceed in the proper direction we find magnetic north (with the compass), locate 35 degrees and then add the declination. If the declination is 25 degrees we would add that to 35 degrees and follow a 60 degree compass bearing. |
Click a link to see a detailed description of each stage.
Inuit territory in Canada and our route .
| GPS (Global Positioning System) The Northern Ungava Canoe Expedition was the first wilderness trip I have ever done on which a GPS unit was carried. These devices are NOT essential for travel in the north. They depend on batteries and could fail when you need them the most. Unlike a compass, a GPS is not fail proof. There are advantages to these units, but they should NEVER be used in place of a compass. If you bring a GPS be sure to familiarize yourself with its functions and be sure to determine how the position it reads corresponds to the information on your maps. |