Who we are: Alex Hall, the original river guide
Pioneering wilderness guide Alex Hall passed away in March of 2019 at his home in Fort Smith, surrounded by his family. A legend in NWT canoeing circles, Alex introduced countless paddlers to his version of Eden, the barrenland rivers of the Thelon and Coppermine. In 2018, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Northwest Territories Tourism recognized him with an Outstanding Service Award at NWT Tourism’s annual tourism awards. The following is a profile of Hall from 2016.
Alex Hall laughed at the memory of riding in a Cessna on his first trip North. The plane skimmed above dense clouds, then dove into the fog, then emerged below, with the wide, caribou- and snow goose-scattered tundra spreading out before him. It was the exact moment his life changed forever.
“Looking back on it, I sort of think I was training for this occupation all my life without really knowing it,” said Hall, a renowned river guide, from his home in Fort Smith. “It just so happened that that’s what I loved doing.”
Beginnings in the outdoors
Raised in Brampton, Ontario, hunting and fishing were a mainstay of Hall’s early life. So were trips to the fishing shack his father had built on a lake just outside Algonquin Provincial Park.
There, at Camp Ahmek, Hall honed the canoe skills that helped him become a Northern adventure-tourism icon, guiding paddling trips on the Thelon, Coppermine and other notable rivers in the Northwest Territories for more than four decades.
In 1970, Hall was working toward a Masters in biology – specializing in animal ecology – at the University of Toronto. One of his professors was taking a group of students up north on a wolf study, operating out of a shuttered DEW line site called FOX 2. Three hundred feet above the ground, as the Cessna carrying Hall descended, he already knew it wouldn’t be his last trip.
“I graduated after that and the only thing I wanted to do was come back to the tundra,” he said.
A big idea
Having read a magazine article about an early recreational canoe trip down the Thelon River, Hall dreamed up an expedition. In the summer of 1971, he and a friend drove from Ontario to Yellowknife, boarded a floatplane, and embarked on a 37-day canoe trip all the way to Baker Lake.
Still, Hall said, the idea of making a career on the lakes and rivers of the Barrenlands hadn’t yet set in.
He returned to Ontario and put his schooling to work at an environmental consulting firm. The nine-to-five wasn’t for him. “I didn’t like the job. I hated it. I was chained to my desk and started thinking about the Thelon trip,” says Hall. “Suddenly, it occurred to me that I could be doing that as a business.”
He headed back to the Northwest Territories – the hard way. In the summer of 1973, Hall and another friend set off on an 11-week paddling trip northbound from the Saskatchewan border. At the end of the journey, they sat down in Yellowknife with government tourism officials.
“I talked to them about starting my business and they basically thought I was nuts,” Hall said with a laugh. “They thought I was really naïve – just some young nutcase.”
A career for the books
Regardless, in 1974, Hall established Canoe Arctic Inc., becoming the first professional canoe guide in the Northwest Territories. At first he headed out on numerous solo exploratory trips, slowly taking on clients – in ‘75 and ’76, he guided one guest each year. But soon his business was growing, and by 1979, his trips were selling out completely.
More than 40 years later, with more than 100 trips under his belt, Hall became the pre-eminent guide on the Thelon. His years in the region, and his background as a wildlife biologist, made him famous.
His experience also led to publication: In 2003 his book, Discovering Eden, was published, chronicling his trips and illustrating his connection to the land that drew him at first sight.
In 2016, Hall guided five trips, ranging from eight to 12 days in length and of varying difficulties – a lot of people, he noted, are deterred by lengthy portages.
While the shortest of trips navigate small lakes and rivers, and another will bring paddlers through the national park of Thaidene Nene, the Thelon was Hall’s main river.
He pointed to a chapter of his book that’s dedicated to its waters. It reads: “I have paddled dozens of rivers across the Barrenlands – most of the famous ones and some known only to me or a select few – but none have the allure and mystique of the Thelon.”
“The Thelon draws me back again and again. To my mind, the Thelon is the quintessence of wilderness – the jewel in the crown – and home to the most beautiful places left on earth.”
Hall became a mentor to Dan Wong, a Yellowknife paddler and owner of Jackpine Paddle, who shares his love of the Thelon and his spirit of entrepreneurship. Hall passed on his knowledge – and passed the torch – to Wong. Jackpine Paddle offers remote 7-12 day guided expedition trips deep into the tundra, taiga, and mountains – the landscapes so beloved by Alex Hall.
Related Stories
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Member
Nahanni River Adventures
Member
Spectacular river journeys on Canada’s most iconic rivers. Travel with expert guides by raft or canoe and immerse yourself in......
Member
Blachford Lodge
Member
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
Member
Trail Blazer Tours
Member
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Member
Canoe North Adventures
Member
For over 30 years, Canoe North Adventures has made it our mission to create spectacular memories for life, and to show......
Member
B. Dene Adventures Inc.
Member
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
Member
Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ Tourism
Member
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Member
Tundra North Travel
Member
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Member
Red Cliff Adventures
Member
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
Member
Ji Guang Tour
Member
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Member
Ram Head Outfitters Ltd.
Member
Commercial air charter service providing air support for hikers on Canol Road, sightseeing in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains, and fly-in fishing......
Member
Arctic Chalet Tours
Member
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
Member
Simpson Air
Member
Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously-operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley, established in the early 1960s.......
Member
Canoe North
Member
Canoe North, located in Hay River, Northwest Territories offers kayak and canoe rentals and sales. We can set you up for a......
Member
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures
Member
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Member
Watta Lake Lodge
Member
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
Member
Bluefish Outfitting
Member
With Bluefish Outfitting you’ll get an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Bluefish Outfitting offers personalized, guided fishing trips and boat tours on......
Member
Polar Pack Arctic Adventures
Member
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
Member
North Star Adventures
Member
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Member
Nahanni Mountain Lodge
Member
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
Member
Great Slave Lake Tours
Member
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Member
Yellowknife Tours
Member
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Member
Jackpine Paddle
Member
Unplug from the commonplace with our Northwest Territories canoe and kayak expeditions. We specialize in true wilderness adventures to the......
Member
Kasba Lake Lodge
Member
World Class Fishing Within Reach Yet Beyond Belief For 3 generations we have been honing the Kasba experience to be like no-other. Our level of hospitality, dedication to the fishery, and a legendary passion for the experience that permeates through our entire team is undeniably contagious. No matter what you’re looking for in your fishing […]...
Member
Arctic Tours Canada
Member
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
Member
K'iyeli Tourism Services
Member
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
Member
Black Feather - The Wilderness Adventure Company
Member
For over 50 years, Black Feather has had the opportunity to operate canoe, hiking and sea kayaking expeditions throughout the......
Member
Tukto Lodge
Member
Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......
Member
NARWAL Northern Adventures
Member
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
Member
Sparks Lake Lodge
Member
“Unforgettable remote fishing experience” We are the only lodge located on this fly-in only lake. With only 8 guests per......
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
Member
2 Seasons Adventures
Member
2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......
Member
South Nahanni Outfitters Ltd.
Member
Outfitting to all of us is a way of life, one that we cherish because we love to hunt, love the......
Member
Peterson's Point Lake Lodge
Member
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Member
Aurora Village
Member
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Boat tours in the wildlife-rich Slave River delta and fishing at Taltson Big Pike Lodge....
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
Fishing and Barrenlands wildlife photography, including migrating caribou, at the Obstruction Rapids in the central Barrenlands north of Yellowknife....
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......
Member
Beaufort Sea Adventures
Member
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
