Expedition planning from the USA to deep Quebec

[BattleRifleG3]

After many years of tiring false starts, BattleRifle is finally on track to leading an expedition into the Canadian wild. Well, sort of.

A good friend of mine was an outfitter in Canada back in the '70s, and has since been tied up with responsibilities at home. His children are now successively crossing into adulthood, and we are tentatively planning to return to the hunting lodge that they still own but haven't visited since the late '90s. The main purpose will be to see what's still standing, take pictures, and report back, but enjoying the trip will of course be another primary goal. I understand it to be a beautiful location.

The lodge is located on a lake in northwestern Quebec. All sorts of wildlife frequent the area, from the cute and cuddly to the majestic to the potentially dangerous. While there should be some buildings standing, we're not counting on anything in particular, and stand a good chance of spending the week in tents. I expect that we will have to bring all of our own food, purify our own water, and live without electricity for the better part of a week. Accross the lake there will be a car (mine) with a power inverter, so cel phone and laptop computer will be sustainable. Not sure if there'd be any signal. The computer would most likely be used for calculations and maps. I'm wondering if I should invest in a GPS.

So here comes why I'm posting - This will be the first time I've crossed the northern border as the head of an expedition. It will be me, at least one young adult, and one minor (sibling of young adult). This will also be my first time crossing the border since 9/11. I hold a current US passport, I do not believe either of them do.

1.) I'm wondering what Is need dotted and Ts need crossed for the three of us to enter Canada and return to the US with no surprises. There wouldn't be any use bringing firearms and defensive uses, even against animals, are pretty much ignored by customs as having any validity. Last time I was up there we had to register our muskets for re-enactments. We would however need to bring a variety of camping supplies, including knives, tools, and such. These may include big and ugly looking knives that are entirely practical but might scare people if pulled out. I of course would represent everything as practically as possible and make no unnecessary issues. There will also most likely be a canoe atop my car, modified as is almost everything that sees my ownership. Is there anything that must be done before or at the border to bring any of this into Canada?

2.) This lodge has been occasionally ransacked by barbarians. It is not impossible that we may find trouble. The question is how does a US citizen take care of himself and his property in a country where he has no rights (or are there rights I should know about)? Of course these aren't terrorist guerillas from South America, but there've been stories accumulated over time to inspire caution and a desire to be informed and prepared. BTW, is there any sort of international traveller's insurance available in case of significant loss of belongings or cash? I mean like a car or a canoe or something. And should there ever be trouble, how should one go about keeping people safe and seeking the help of law enforcement?

3.) We will of course have to buy food and fuel up there. Is there anything important to know so that we don't poison ourselves or my car (ie food or fuel to stay away from that's differently regulated)? What about the slim chance of needing medical attention or mechanical repair, how does one deal with these emergencies accross the border (ie medical insurance, auto insurance, and such)? Also, there's the issue of paying for needed items. Will any Canadian store take US money, or will I need to get some Canadian cash handy? And what about credit cards? There was the old American Express commercial, and I don't have an AmEx, is one worth getting? Between Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover, what is most likely to be accepted?

4.) Anything one may or may not be assumed to know about wilderness camping. I've done weeklong trips hiking in the adirondacks, but that's it. This would probably be a step harder in some ways and easier in others. I'm thinking in terms of bear proof food containers and riggings, practical food choices, stuff people should never forget but do anyway, and such. I made it as far as 2nd class in Boy Scouts before I got sick of the punks who happened to be in every troop I went to (turns out if I had tried one more troop it might have been better.) I have plenty of wilderness experience in PA and NY, but there's always something new, and this is a new territory to boot. Want to go in there with my eyes open.

5.) Is there anything really important to know that I wouldn't even imagine asking?

The tentative time for this trip would be mid to late august, right before people would be going to college orientation. So there's plenty of time to prepare and learn everything we can. Time to process passport applications. Advance time to put in for vacation time off. But not time to waste. So whoever knows important info on travelling into the Canadian wilderness please do share. Thanks!

[upnorth]

Wow!! lots of questions! first, crossing the border... No arrest record at all is the most important if possible. Some minor offences in the U.S. are considered felonies in canada. Transporting minors across intl. borders is also very touchy... who's to say you didn't kidnap them? I would call the port of crossing you are going through, or call the cbsa info line for particulars on that. as for fuel, the same applies in canada as the us, as long as your vehicle doesn't run soley on that e-85 crap! We have ethanol blends at some stations but not many. I would also find out which QPP (Quebec provincial police) detatchment covers the area of the lodge and contact them. they will be able to shed some light on whats left of the lodge. They may also send an officer by to check on you. as for protection from both 2 and 4 legged critters, you can legally purchase bear spray in canada, but it's illegal to bring it in from the u.s.. Most places accept visa or m/c, amex is touch and go.Exchange some money at the duty free, or near the border or at your bank, to get the best rate possible. any other questions, just ask!

[BattleRifleG3]

Thanks a bunch.  I'm thankful to say I have no arrest record.  I've gotten 1 total traffic ticket that was later thrown out in court.  In case it was said only subtlely, I wouldn't be taking any minors accross the border without an adult from their family as well, a sibling in this case.  I wonder if the passport matter would be related at all, ie if their both having passports would make things easier.  Ages are 16 and 18, youth male, adult female, both at least as wilderness saavy as myself.  No drinking will occur.

Thanks for the info on bear spray.  That's very helpful.  Glad to know Visa and Mastercard are good to go, those are my preferences as well.  I won't go out and get an AmEx now.  Thanks also for the info that the best exchange rates would probably be had from my own bank.

I'll talk to my friend (their father) about making contact with the CBSA and QPP, sounds like good ways to keep everything appropriate and safe.

One other question - food.  What can be brought accross the border each way, and what would we have to plan to get on one side and finish up before crossing to the other?  Nothing unusual, just food.

[upnorth]

ask the cbsa about the minors . I've been at the border when a father was bringing his son on a fly in trip and they were held because they couldn't verify the story with the childs mother. better safe than sorry. you can bring all the food you want with you, it would be alot cheaper than buying it in some remote store. I would suggest buying the perishables, meat, milk, butter etc. at a town close to where you are going. beef products should be bought in canada, just remember, you can't take them back with you. another thing to consider is the language issue. quebec is a funny province, and most people speak french and their english is sometimes poor. all gov't and QPP have to provide services in both english and french . with a little planning, you should be alright. the exchange is sitting at about $1.07canadian for $1.00 u.s.

[GatCat]

If you are bringing a minor in, bring a notorized letter from both Father and Mother giving you permisson,  Have the dates/destination spelled out. Have contact info on the parents in the letter(s). Cigarettes and booze are taxed heavilly in Canada, bring any in can cause delays. If food and such are kept to a quantity of personall use, there should be no problem. Canadain Customs would be concerned about your bringing in gifts or stuff for resale. Some cash in their currencey would be wise, but by-and-large, use your plastic, you get the best exchange on it automatically, when you are billed. Be sure you have registration or proof of ownership of canoe. If you use a quad on the trails, I believe it needs proof of insurance ( B.C. does). U.S. insurance is recognized in Canada, they MAY have higher minimums then some states here have. If you only have 25G for liability, I'd raise it to 100 G. Have fun. Besides drivers license, cerified copies of birth certificate are good to have,as is passport, of course. Should be no problems.