Scow Boats, Heavy Haulers of the Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada

Today I had the privilege of seeing off the Keepers of the Athabasca as they left Smith going to Athabasca on a canoe trip that thousands (if not more) have done before. This vignette tells of the endurance test the voyageurs went through.

It does not mention the trackers, who literally strapped themselves into a harness and pulled fully laden scows up the rivers and the huge amounts of pemmican that they ate for energy. I think that if many of tried the physical endurance that was a daily part of life for these men – not many of us could handle it.

More images of scows on the Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada

Photo Above: Scow going over Big Cascade Rapids, Athabasca River

Photo Credits:

Image Documents: a169585, a046106, a046110-v8
from Library and Archives Canada, used with permission.

Title proper: Tracking HB Transport on Athabasca River
Repository: Athabasca Archives
Reference code: CA ATH ath-2042-is-ath-292