Moira River--Re-scheduled Again
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.
