Edge of the Atlantic

A commitment to empowerment, exploration, and conservation.

The Edge of the Atlantic expedition is more than a canoe trip. It’s a fierce commitment to:

  • Empowerment — Creating visibility and opportunities for women in wilderness leadership and propelling the next generation of Camp Ogichi-Daa-Kwe and Kooch-i-ching explorers.
  • Exploration — Establishing a new Arctic canoe route for the Camping & Education Foundation to be utilized in the future.
  • Conservation — Giving back to the Canadian Arctic by supporting environmental preservation.

Our team of six women will paddle 1,000 kilometers across Labrador and Quebec, but our true purpose extends far beyond the riverbanks. This journey is about building a legacy of courage, mentorship, and stewardship that can inspire generations to come to explore new bounds.

Our Core Values

Consistency

Careful planning, disciplined execution, and steady leadership define how we explore. We approach every challenge with structure and reliability to nourish the well-being of each group member.

Humility

We lead not by dominance but by listening, learning, and honoring the wisdom of the others – and notably the waters and land. Meeting Ungava Bay, we will encounter the Inuit village of Kangiqsualujjuaq, where in passing we hope to learn from the Arctic community.

Security

Safety is foundational to adventure. With six experienced leaders, we commit to conscious, safe decision-making that respects individual boundaries and honors collective trust. That’s not just a safety measure—it’s a moral choice.

Resilience

Expedition travel demands endurance. We embrace discomfort, adapt to obstacles, and push through challenges with determination and grit. Through previous adventure and individual missions, we each have learned the true power of resilience.

Connection

This journey is about more than miles paddled. It’s about strengthening bonds within our team, mentoring future leaders, and honoring the ties between people and place. This trip honors each and every person who has taken that leap and achieved an Arctic trip through our foundation – especially the 6Northof60 expedition.

Stewardship

Through Leave No Trace ethics and direct support for conservation, we ensure our impact is lasting in spirit, not footprint. We hope to facilitate the assistance of Arctic research to solidify our stewardship – plans to come. The opportunity to do so would be the cherry on top of our journey.

Impact Beyond the Trip

This expedition directly supports the following three key areas of outreach.

Ogichi Daa Kwe & The Camping & Education Foundation

  • By charting this route, we extend the organization’s tripping tradition into the Arctic East when previous arctic expeditions through our Foundation enduring central and westward Canada.
  • Our maps, logs, and firsthand knowledge will be preserved as a resource for future paddlers. In addition, the entirety of our gear will be donated back to Ogichi for trips to come. As our Foundation shifts their arctic tripping model, this gear will be a crucial resource. View previous expeditions here.
  • We hope to strengthen connections between camps, staff, and alumni across generations. By spreading our mission and values, we hope to promote the courage of canoeing.

Women in Wilderness Leadership

  • Visibility matters. By documenting this journey, we hope to inspire young women to lead in spaces where they have historically been underrepresented.
  • By mentoring the next generation of trippers, we’re showing what’s possible when women lead. Inspired by the success of the 6Northof60 expedition, we’re confident in our ability to reach our goals.

Environmental Stewardship

  • We are donating 3% of all personal contributions (and any funds raised beyond our goal) to WWF Canada, supporting conservation efforts in the Canadian Arctic.
  • By sharing the stories of these landscapes, we hope to raise awareness about their fragility and importance.
  • We hope to assist in Arctic research of conservation and sustainability to show others that this trip is larger than our end destination:

Our Outreach & Connections

We believe in making this expedition a shared journey. Here’s how we’re connecting with our wider community:

Resource Sharing

Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary and courage for a fulfilling journey.

Public Storytelling

Through our website, social media, and content taken first-hand, we’ll share not only the challenges, but the joy and lessons found along the way. We were once told to seek the joy of being alive and plan to do exactly that.

Partnerships

We’re inviting sponsors, donors, and organizations to join us in creating a lasting impact. It is with YOUR support that we will achieve our mission. Reach out to katherine.heinle@gmail.com if you are interested in our values and further involvement with the team!

Youth Inspiration

Whether through campfires, classrooms, or social media, our story is meant to spark curiosity and courage in the next generation of adventurers.

Support the Expedition

This expedition is a call to adventure, but also a call to action. Together, we can celebrate the legacy of wilderness travel, support women’s leadership, and protect the lands and waters we love.

Donate Today