July 3rd motel July 4th to 9th on river
Duke Lake to Agnew Lake
6 Days
Shuttle is $196.00 each
Please join us for our traditional WCA Canada Day summer weekend at Palmer Rapids on the Madawaska River. We stay at 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.
This is a great family getaway for the whole family. There's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. Plus the fishing here is pretty good. 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.
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 many 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 dry suit or wet suit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun, forgiving stretch of river.
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.)
All canoes must have full flotation, and you are required to have a full wetsuit or drysuit as the water will be cold. If you arrive without these, you will not be able to participate.
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 Saturday, we'll re-schedule the trip for the Sunday.
Arrive on Whitehorse July 4 - Shuttle on July 5 07:00
Shuttle to Whitehorse on July 21 - Fly home on the 22
Looking for paddler(s) who can stern.
Estimated Cost $3000
The Hart River is a tributary of the Peel River. It is in the traditional territory of the Tetlit Gwich’in, Tr'ondek Hwech'in and Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nations. The Peel watershed is popular with canoeists but very remote. Bushplane access in and out. We'll start at Elliott Lake with a slog down its tributary creek which could be hard or easy depending on water levels and ends on the Peel with class 3 rapids, ledges and big haystacks.
4 experienced tandem paddling teams sought. Both members should register individually and email me their partner names and credentials for consideration.
WCA members Chris & John Lepard shared their Hart River trip at the 2018 WCS. I have stored their video, UTMs of rapids and camp sites and photocopied sections of topo maps as well as an excerpt of guide book “Wild Rivers of the Yukon’s Peel Watershed”, 2008 ed. in a Google drive that applicants will be expected to peruse carefully before committing a $850 deposit (per canoe). Read the guide carefully so you know what I know and what you are getting into. This is a self-guided trip. Everyone is responsible for their own safety and risk management.
Total cost from Ottawa/Toronto is estimated at $4K, excepting food.
Bush Plane: ‘Alkan Air’ in Mayo. Beaver and Caravan planes; payload is 3100lb, boat weight (on floats) is doubled (ie. 151 lb ea.).
Outfitter: 'Up North Adventures' in Whitehorse.
Spring Run on the Beaver River located in Kimberley Ontario
From Access point #2 to Glen Clendenan Dam, depending water levels.
Open to river runners and whitewater paddlers with experience in moving water.
Paddlers should have experience in spotting sweepers and Strainers and avoid it.
All paddlers should follow WCA & Gov. Covid protocols.
yes you read this right..back by popular demand!
Over the May long weekend we will paddle from Saturday lunch until Monday noon, putting in at Aumond Rapids and taking out at Griffiths
As in the past,2 dinners and breakfasts will be supplied..you bring your lunch and a treat, appie or desert or more to share...this is above all a social outing. We all share in the costs and preparations
This will have big cold water so appropriate clothing and Intermediate WW skills required.