Before road or rail, the canoe routes followed by voyageurs formed a transport and supply system crossing a continent and covering more than a million square miles. Veteran wilderness traveller Eric Morse retraces these routes, linking them to modern landmarks and roads, and draws a fascinating picture of the history, economics, and geography of the fur trade. This is a guide book that includes all the elements of historical adventure. The first part sketches the bruising hardships of life on the trail and describes the voyageurs' techniques for handling rapids, portages, and great lakes in the fragile canots de maitre that carried up to four tons. The second part is addressed to the modern voyageur. It traces the original routes and describes them as they exist today. The text is illustrated throughout with maps, photographs, and historical drawings and paintings.