Whitewater

Early spring is a good time to paddle in Southwestern Ontario.  Choosing a weekend from 5 months away is a game of chance but has worked so far.  Sometimes weather can be wintery or spring like.  Water levels can be high or already disappointingly low.

The rivers I hope for are usually the Bayfield, Benmiller section of the Maitland, South Maitland, 9 Mile and Priceville/Durham section of the Saugeen.  During lower water years we usually paddle the Maitland and Saugeen.

These paddles can be relatively calm or exciting class one with sweepers and occasional class 2s.  They are always cold water paddles and require proper gear!

We stay at Camp Kintail in rustic camp cabins.  The costs are reasonable and past participants have enjoyed their stay.  Please be mindful of other groups using the facilities at the same time.  I will not be collecting money until 2027.  People can fill out what nights and meals they plan to attend.  

https://www.campkintail.ca/_files/ugd/661def_b4726ed31f8f4353b3a5f988a8…

Please note that this only concerns those who want to join in or are coming from a distance.  Some folks just show up for a day paddle or stay somewhere else!

For those who sign up a spreadsheet will be sent out to arrange paddlers, canoes, attendance and details.

1 week trip to the French River - aiming to hit some of the whitewater highlights.  We can collaboratively develop a complete itinerary prior to the French River booking window in February.  The preliminary plan includes: 

• Put in Lodge at Pine Cove, run shuttle
• Explore 5 mile rapids 1-2 days  (multiple class 2 rapids, all can be scouted/portaged)
• Head over to the French River Delta, Old Voyageur Channel
• Explore Georgian Bay as conditions permit
• Exit at Hartley Bay, run shuttle

It may also be possible to just come for the first weekend for the 5 mile rapids section, putting in and taking out at the Lodge at Pine Cove. 

This trip is now Full!

Lake Travers to Lake McManus.  Popular whitewater run and very beautiful. Located in the north east corner of Algonquin Park.

Lots of information about this route online.  I put it down as intermediate but a competent flat water paddler making use of the portages would be fine.

The Mountain River is a Class 1-3 (maybe some class 4 canyon stuff which we will try hard to minimize and avoid), remote river in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. It begins in the Mackenzie Mountains and flows for about 325 kilometers before eventually joining the Mackenzie River.

The river travels through a very rugged landscape. Along its route, there are steep mountains, valleys, cliffs, six canyons, and many Class1-2 rapids. The area around the river is mostly untouched wilderness.

The Mountain River is home to many kinds of wildlife. Animals in the region include grizzly bears, black bears, caribou, moose, wolves, Dall sheep, and many types of birds. The river itself also provides habitat for fish.

It's a buck list river.

To be considered for this step 1 is to sign up.  Participants need to have the required camping and whitewater skills and group friendly attitude to be accepted on this trip. If your WW skills need beefing up, I suggest you take a WW course and/or sign up for some WCA spring paddling trips.  New faces are require to contact me so we can review their skills and experiences.

We will have a Zoom meeting to discuss logistics, cost, deposits, Google Planning Sheets, etc.

Sunday morning at the Fall Gathering we'll be leading a trip down the Lower Madawaska.

The gang will rendez-vous at Paddler Coop at 9am Sunday to organize canoes and rides before shuttling to the put-in at 0930. We will aim to be paddling away from the put-in by about 1030.

Water temperature is still warm and the flow is low, but not "low low" (yet).

Helmet, PFD are mandatory. Closed toe shoes are recommended. Neoprene or drysuits could be good for people who run cold, or if the weather on the day is breezy.

Ideally people will sign up before the event so we can do a bit of pre-planning.

End of summer fun on the Lower Mad & Palmer Rapids.  Camping at Paddler Co-Op

We will be doing a relaxed lower Dumoine trip leaving from Lac Benoit Sept 14 (meeting at Driftwood PP Sept 13) and coming out either Sept 18/19. There will be a mix of solo and tandem boats, so individuals without boats can be accommodated. The goal is to take our time and enjoy the river with a group of great paddlers! 

We will have a shuttle to Lac Benoit, and PP/ZEC camping fees. 

Using this trip as a warm-up for our Dumoine trip early in July. Hoping to try some of our planned paddle partnerships but the trip is open to anyone, tandems and solos.

This very popular trip seems to be a great draw for all levels of paddlers to enjoy perfect weather (most of the time), portage free paddling, and a barbeque that follows our outing.  This is a wonderful day to enjoy an easy moving water river and to socialize with other WCA'ers.  The trip will start in south Cambridge where we will put in and then paddle to Paris.  We will pass through scenic farm country, stop at the ruins of a supposedly haunted mill, negotiate some easy grade one water, and stop for lunch along the way.  Those interested are welcome to join us back at our house in Cambridge for some food, beverage and social time.

CONTACT THE ORGANIZER DIRECTLY TO SIGN UP: Doug Ashton - doug.ashton@rogers.com - 416-453-4653