This was an Historical Archeological Survey headed by a Historical Archeology Grad student from the University of Saskatchewan's Saskatoon Campus, Mr. Don Steer. There were five of us on the expedition: Our Cree guide Jonas Charles, Roger Steer, Hugh Campbell, and myself.  We would remain there until the middle of August.

The portage was known to the natives long before the Voyageurs. It is unique in that it does not skirt some treacherous rapids or a waterfall. For literally hundreds of miles on either side of this portage, there is nothing but muskeg. There are portions of the portage that are less than 100 yards wide. This then is a solid land bridge across an otherwise impenetrable barrier of muskeg.  The Native Community of LaLoche, on Lac Laloche, was appropriately named:  In French, LaLoche means "The key."