Whitewater

This trip is to be part of the Northwest Wilderness Quest by Ontario Parks. See https://www.ontarioparks.com/nwquest for complete information.
We have until October 15, 2019, to do a canoe trip for three or more nights in Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Ontario provincial parks.
Part one - Quetico is now complete. We had a great trip! An article in THE NASTWAGAN was published in the fall of 2017.
Part two - Wabakimi. We are now beginning to plan for a trip in the summer of 2018.
Part three - Woodland Caribou. A trip will be done there in the summer of 2019.

This is part of an ongoing attempt to fulfill 'The Northwest Wilderness Quest' by Ontario Parks. See https://www.ontarioparks.com/nwquest for complete information. We have three years until October 15 2019 to do a canoe trip for three or more nights in Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Ontario provincial parks.
Part one - Quetico is now complete.
Part two - Wabakimi. The planning is now in progress. Gary James headed up Part One and may participate in Part two. At present there is no waiting list as 6 of the 8 paddlers going are already confirmed with me (trip leader - Iori Miller) and others have interest have already been in contact. The choice of route is in progress but will include moving water and maybe some whitewater (no more than class II).
Part three - summer of 2019

This is a WCA trip and membership is required.
Everyone attending will have to agree with the WCA waiver of liability too.

We've had to cancel our annual Moira run twice now due to Old Man Winter's refusal to let go of his frigid grip on us this year. We're going to take one last shot at it on Saturday April 28. Whether we can go or not will be very rainfall dependent. So no promises. To know how things are shaping up, check the Moira River gauge at Foxboro:

 https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02HL001   Paste in this address, click on "I agree" to the disclaimer, and you will see the online gauge readings. If the water level on the left side of the graph is 7.8 m or higher, it will be doable. We should have a good idea by the Wednesday before the trip. 

On a spring day, the Moira River north of Belleville provides a fun paddling trip from Lost Channel to Latta.



The river provides a great opportunity for good novice moving water paddlers to move up to an intermediate level river. We'll meet at Chisholm's Mill at 9:30, do a car shuttle, and then warm up the easier lower section down to Latta. The rapids are not difficult; just a fun rollercoaster ride, with some surfing waves along the way. We'll go back to Chisholm's for lunch at the cars, and then do a shuttle to run the more technical and challenging Lost Channel section. We should finish up around 4:00, and then we traditionally hit the nearby Maple Dale Cheese store along the highway for ice cream and cheese. (Real Canucks can buy cheese curds here for homemade poutine.)

Boats should have full flotation, and you will need a wetsuit or drysuit as the water will be cold.



Please note that as at the time of posting the river levels and weather cannot be predicted, the date could be changed if levels are not suitable or the weather is inclement. I like to play, and float along chatting with people. My idea of a fun outing isn't paddling in freezing rain muttering to each other "don't worry, we'll soon be finished if we hurry." So if you sign up, you needn't worry that you are committing to a survival exercise-just a fun day.

Join me on this classic early spring favourite of Toronto area paddlers. We’ll catch the Credit in Streetsville and run down to the mouth at Port Credit. The river is a delightful continuous class 1 to 2 with lots big bouncy wave trains and play spots. There are loads of opportunities to practice easy ferries and eddy turns as we work our way down the river. However, downed trees over the winter can create sweepers, and participants need to be able to manoeuvre a canoe in moving water to avoid them. As well, the water will be cold. You should have solid basic moving water skills, and wear a wetsuit or drysuit. Boats should have air bags in them. We'll have lunch on the river at a park near Dundas Street, so bring something to eat. We usually finish the trip around 3 PM.

 

If the weather is unfavourable on the Friday, we'll re-schedule the trip for the Saturday. It's not much fun paddling in cold rain.

Join us for an early spring run (water levels permitting) on the Credit from Inglewood to Glen Williams. Suitable for novices but some competence in moving water is helpful.There are two weirs we must pull over, two other obstacles which generally can be run and possible sweepers to be navigated. A potluck dinner will follow - location to be determined.

Just another relaxing summer weekend at Palmer Rapids on the Madawaska River. We stay at local farmer Harold Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is an enjoyable weekend for novice or better moving water paddlers. Probably more people have had their first taste of moving water here than in any other spot in Ontario. There are a couple of sets of Class 1-2 rapids almost outside your tent door. I'm happy to give some informal paddling pointers to new river runners. If the water levels are good, more adventurous types might want to get together to take a run down the Lower Madawaska on Sunday.

For families, there's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. For those who aren't into paddling, there are restaurants and interesting shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay.

We're going to be there from Friday afternoon to Monday, but you can come & camp or go at any time.



You will need a whitewater canoe with flotation, and a helmet, along with the usual PFD and paddle. Canoes can be rented nearby at Paddler Co-op (see their website www.paddlerco-op.com), or from Madawaska River Rentals (see their website www.MadRiverRentals.ca ), or from Don Adams in Griffith, who will even deliver to Jessup's for a fee (613-333-2240). If renting, tell them you want thigh straps in the canoe. It will make a huge amount of difference to your control.

For those looking to escape camp cookery, try the famous Wilno Tavern: http://www.wilnotavern.com/index.php

 The Wilno has a Polish buffet Saturday nights that will fill any hungry paddler. There are also some other good restaurants in Barry's Bay.







Please register as soon as possible so I can reserve a group camping area.

Join us for an early spring run (water levels permitting) on the Credit from Inglewood to Glen Williams. Suitable for novices but some competence in moving water is helpful.There are two weirs we must pull over, two other obstacles which generally can be run and possible sweepers to be navigated. A potluck dinner will follow - location to be determined.

Join us for the annual spring paddle/wine and cheese party and find out first hand why reasonably intelligent and somewhat mature persons subject themselves to the vicissitudes of spring canoe camping.
We paddle from above Aumonds Bay to the take out at Griffith, a distance of only 28 km. The pace is leisurely with only the Sunday being a full day of paddling and most of that spent on the Snake Rapids section of the river. Lots of time to play, chat and nibble! Rapids will range from Grade 1 to 4 and there are a couple of short portages around water falls. Water levels are likely to be quite high and cold. In the past we have had sun, rain, hail and snow…all on the same day, so participants will need to dress and pack appropriately. Suitable for intermediate level paddlers. Limit six boats. Book early as this trip usually “sells out”.

The Black River empties into Lake Simcoe south of Washago. There is a fun short section from the HWY 169 bridge crossing to the next concession road crossing to the west where the river loops around through a number of small rapids separated by flat sections. The section ends with an optional more challenging technical chute, followed by a Class 2 rollercoaster ride. This is an ideal spot for budding moving water paddlers to get some experience, and practice ferries and eddy turns. I'm happy do give informal pointers, and we're in no rush. The section of river is short enough that if you get cold or wet, you can quickly paddle out. However, if you want to work the section, you can play all afternoon. As a bonus, we meet at 11:00 so you don't have to haul yourself out of bed early to get there. We'll also finish around 3:00, so plenty of time to get back to the family dinner. Bring a lunch and we'll eat on the river. As the water will still be cold, you will need a wetsuit or drysuit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun, forgiving stretch of river.

The Moira River north of Belleville provides a fun day of paddling from Lost Channel to Latta on a spring day.

The river provides a great opportunity for good novice moving water paddlers to move up to an intermediate level river. We'll meet at Chisholm's Mill at 9:30, do a car shuttle, and then warm up the easier lower section down to Latta. The rapids are not difficult; just a fun rollercoaster ride, with some surfing waves along the way. We'll go back to Chisholm's for lunch at the cars, and then do a shuttle to run the more technical and challenging Lost Channel section. We should finish up around 4:00, and then we can hit the nearby dairy along the highway. Boats should have full flotation, and you will need a wetsuit or drysuit.

Please note that as at the time of posting the river levels and weather cannot be predicted, the date could be changed if levels are not suitable or the weather is inclement. I like to play, and float along chatting with people. My idea of a fun outing isn't paddling in freezing rain muttering to each other "don't worry, we'll soon be finished if we hurry." So if you sign up, you needn't worry that you are committing to a survival exercise-just a fun day.