Outpost Natchez was first discussed in 2007 during a chance meeting with John Ruskey. I was on a kayak trip down the Mississipi River from its headwaters in Lake Itasca, MN to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. We kept in touch over the years, John inviting me to assist with his trips through some guiding and shuttle work. My passion for the River grew to a point that I needed to make a life of out
of it. Outpost Natchez was formed June of 2013 with a handshake. The Quapaws and Natchez formed an alliance. April 15th 2014 the Outpost official opened. Quapaw Canoe Company offers wilderness expeditions on the Lower Mississippi River, its Back Waters, Bayous, Oxbows, and Flood Plain between the levees. Tours can be arranged by the day or the week. Description
The Lower Mississippi River creates one of America's greatest wildernesses - and wildest - a land subject to chaotic weather and the unpredictable character of Old Man River. It is a landscape of water and sky, broken only by a horizon of willow and mixed deciduous forests. Everything is big about it. Imagine floating a bend of the river that takes twenty miles of delta to complete, skirting around swirling eddies the size of several city blocks, camping on a sand bar that stretches to the horizon, and swimming in pristine blue holes. It is America's major waterfowl flyway, and central artery of barge shipping. Three-screw tugboats pushing tows a half-mile long are common. Deer, coyote, beaver and possom abound, and bears still inhabit the bottomlands. It is the flood plain of the second biggest river in the world, and water levels might fluctuate fifty feet from Spring high to Summer low. As such, each adventure is slightly different, and itinerary is dependent on river conditions and prevailing weather. Float trips available on any of the 200 miles between Vicksburg MS and St Francisville LA. Trips are available on the tributaries and oxbows as well. Big Black River, Bayou Pierre, Homochitto, Lake Bruin, Lake Concordia and several of the Old Rivers oxbows in LA. By canoe or kayak only. No motor power used. Clients must be willing to paddle and to endure extremes of nature. Storms on the river can be furious at times and may temporarily stall a journey or change itinerary. In its 10 years of operation Quapaw Canoe Company has demonstrated the viability of safe canoeing on the Lower Mississippi River with countless expeditions involving churches, schools, boy scouts, girl scouts, families, couples and individuals. Quapaw has successfully guided over 10,000 people on the river. Quapaw Canoe Company is underwritten by Lloyd’s of London through Worldwide Outfitters & Guides Association. All expeditions are outfitted with first-aid kits, rescue ropes, life preservers, cellular communication, and VHF marine radio. Life Jackets are best quality US Coast Guard approved type III Life Jackets. Guides stringently practice safe canoeing and are knowledgeable in all aspects of wilderness survival and canoe rescue. Please remember that river travel is always somewhat dependent on river level and prevailing weather. Outpost Natchez ties into these principals and practices .
