Last weekend I headed down to the USA for another paddling roadtrip with Ryan and Wil from North Bay. We were going down for the North Branch of the Potomac River festival in West Virginia. The boys picked me up at my place late thursday afternoon with the N.O.P.E van nd boat trailer.
After a couple stops for food and gas we made it just outside of Pittsburgh for the night at 02:30 AM on friday. The boys grabbed a room while I slept in the van. We would soon be on the road again after hooking up with Leah and Wayne who were also staying at the same hotel.
We met up with our USA counterparts plus a couple more Canadians in Ohiopyle at the Lower Yough putin. Everyone geared up and hit the water. It was great to finally be able to not have to wear a drysuit for a change as the weather was great, water a hell of a lot warmer than back home, and no bugs.
After a quick run down the loop section we headed over to PS Composites near Friendsville, MD for a tour before heading off to run the 8km section of the Cheat River Narrows section. The weather was great and still holding for a beautiful day on the river. I managed to have an excellent front, back, and side surf in a small hole just below where the squirt boaters were playing.
After dinner at some pizza hut we headed off to what was supposedly a 30 minute drive to the campground but turned into almost an hour. You just cant make a 1983 Chevy van towing a boat trailer go that fast on the steep up and down curves in the hills of WV.
We arrived at the campground just in time to avoid being locked out. Soon tents were up and drinks were semi-flowing around the campfire.
Saturday would be a early day. We heading into Westernport for breakfast before heading off to the putin for the NBP. The skies were overcast and rain was in the forecast but we did not care as we were only going to get wet anyway. The three of us headed down river from the main group as we did not want to slow anyone down for any reason. We managed to hookup with another group of PA boaters.
One of the boaters recognized me and sad "Are you the Canadian". I replied "yes one of them". He then said "Are you the one in the Phil's hole video on youtube". I replied "yep that be me". After introductions were made ... I had an amazing surf time in the small hole at the normal lunch spot. The highlight of this group was a guy paddling that was 83 years old. He took up kayaking when he was 75ish.
We had a great day running the river with this group. It turns out they are planning a Lower Yough weekend in the summer during one of my planned trips. Looks like we will be hooking up and paddling together.
Soon it was time for dinner followed by a campfire and drinks.
Sunday came way too early. The plan was to pull the pin early and head over to the ASCI white water park in McHenry, MD for the day before making the trip back home. We got there and the water was not running yet. Ryan and Will checked out the park to see what would be lurking under the water later on once they turned the pumps on.
At first they only had two pumps on. I ran the first drop and was re-circualate around the big eddy a few times before I was able to get out of it and head down river. The boys decided they were just going to play on the back half of the park. I had never really thought about putting my battery in for my pumps until I was full of water as I had not had it in for the other paddling we had already done.
After I finished my first run. I wend back to the car to get my battery. Sometime during this time they cranked on another pump. The water was just a rocking which now made it even more difficult but fun to navigate the river. I did have a two out of boat experiences when some of my fellow heckler paddler friends showed up just to see what was going on but not paddle.
After a few more succesful runs it was time to leave as we had a long drive ahead of us. We left the park at 4:30 and got to my place at 2:30 monday morning. The boys headed back to North Bay after sleeping in for a bit.
Yes it was a long drive but we had lots of fun paddling in four different places.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Kipawa River
The last couple of weekends have been quite eventful.
I drove up to North Bay two weekends ago to go paddling with friends on the Kipawa River near Laniel, Quebec. It was definitely a full day on the river. We were on by 11ish and and off by 7ish.
I had never paddled the river before. It was a nice hot sunny day with a low flow of 17 on the gauge but I did not care. Drysuits were definitely in order for the water was cold and the blackflies we in full swing.
I had two minor out of boat experiences ... one at the beginning of the day on Rock and Roll and the other and the end of the day at Hollywood. The river is absolutely gorgeous. The only downside to the whole day was the two mandatory portages. One around Grand Chute and the other around Pete's Dragon. I would have been better off throwing my boat in the river and watch it hopefully make the run nice and clean versus the Class VIII portage. They were both brutal. Luckily I had from the other in the group.
I would like to go back and paddle the river at rally levels of 120 but we will see if that time ever comes.
I drove up to North Bay two weekends ago to go paddling with friends on the Kipawa River near Laniel, Quebec. It was definitely a full day on the river. We were on by 11ish and and off by 7ish.
I had never paddled the river before. It was a nice hot sunny day with a low flow of 17 on the gauge but I did not care. Drysuits were definitely in order for the water was cold and the blackflies we in full swing.
I had two minor out of boat experiences ... one at the beginning of the day on Rock and Roll and the other and the end of the day at Hollywood. The river is absolutely gorgeous. The only downside to the whole day was the two mandatory portages. One around Grand Chute and the other around Pete's Dragon. I would have been better off throwing my boat in the river and watch it hopefully make the run nice and clean versus the Class VIII portage. They were both brutal. Luckily I had from the other in the group.
I would like to go back and paddle the river at rally levels of 120 but we will see if that time ever comes.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hell or High Water 2010 - Petawawa Ontario
Well after a month of trying to re-adjust of being home and back to work after my 28 day road trip ... it was time to think about paddling some where.
And this somewhere would be the Petawawa River. It is pretty amazing that I swam in the Lovers and Catwalk section for many summers as a military brat but never ever paddled it in my canoe.
The time had come and what could be more safer and fun but to do it during a festival.
I headed off to my dads place after work on the thursday. I stopped off at the river to check the level and get some info from Phil. After that I stopped at Brad's to borrow a cart for my boat before finally getting to the folks place.
Friday:
I worked from his place friday and headed off to the river around 3pm to help set up. Phil and Cody were gracious to lead me down the river. I had no issues at Railroad but ended up having an out of boat experience at Lovers. I almost made it but not quite enough. After a quick self recovery we took out at the Catwalk. I was so happy with my run as it was now my first personal decent of the section of the river.
I met up in the park with a bunch of old friends to catch up on life.
Saturday:
Today would be race day and I headed over early to help set up. This would be my day of sever stupidity. I would eventually have to make TWO trips back to my dads ... first to get my drysuit and booties ... the second to get my pfd and helmet. I must say I was a total idiot.
It was great to see more of my friends. Especially Jen as i had not seen where in over a year due to her travelling with her job. It was nice to have her back in country safe and sound.
I did a practice run on the river and it went very well. I did not care about my time. It was more of making it down the river blue sky up. I made it through lovers no problem at all and was very very happy. I spent about an hour shooting photos of the practice runs. The weather and lighting were not that great for doing so but hey it would not be a festival without crappy weather.
I headed back up to the top for timed race run. As l uck would have it I ended up side surfing the last hole at the bottom of railroad for a very long time. I was told by many people later who were standing on the bridge that they were worried that I was stuck under my boat when I was actually still in my boat. I was forced to bail when i came out of my outfitting.
I had a laugh when a rescue kayaker said let go of your boat as we were swimming together ... I went ... uh ... NO. I Swam the boat to shore ... emptied her out and go back in. Soon I was at Lovers ... I took the same line as before and totally aced it by going completely left of the rooster tail. It was an awesome but tiring run by the time I got to the Catwalk finish line. I think I did it in under 11 minutes including my out of boat experience.
Later that night we all went to the Yacht Club on the Base for dinner and awards ceremony.
Photos are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmnypny/sets/72157623893866513/
Sunday:
Today would be an interesting day. It would be my personal first decent of the Upper Petawawa River in Algonquin Park. I was a bit nervous to say the least.
I manage to hook up with three other open boaters I have paddle with in the past. It would have been five of us in total but Jamie got hurt the day before and could not make it.
After doing all the shuttle logistics we put on the river and enjoyed a leisurely warm up paddle to the first set of rapids. Soon there was us and about thirty kayakers on the river. I managed to run my first ever drop in my life. I think it was about a six footer. I ran it clean with the proper angle and lean back. It was a bit nerver racking as I was not sure about how far back to lean but I nailed it. I have hapy to see that alot of people I new watched me run it.
There was another sketchy drop on river right at the next set. I did not even attempt to think about running that one. I took the left channel and end up having a swim. I ended up with having to much lean going through the hole sideways. I tried my best to slowly move my weight over to the other side and almost made it. Johno said i looked like one of those fainting goats trying to get my boat to lean the other way in slo-motion.
After that the river was pretty much full on. I ran the rest of the solid class 4's fine with some interesting lines to say the least. It did not take the four of us long to scout each set. It got to the point that we head to depart from the group of kayakers as they were taking way to long to over analyze the runs only to end up psyching themselves out not to run them.
I ended up running the drop at the last class 5 fine but did not realize there was more crap further down below about 100 metres away and ended up going over the equivalent of Leftside Horsehoe on the Ottawa and then having a short swim.
After what would be a long bumpy swim on a stupid "F_ck You" rock we were at the takeout.
All I can say is that is was a fricking awesome experience and I want to run that section of river again. Thanks to Dave, Matt, and Johno for an excellent day.
I must apologize to Jen for bailing and not paddling with her tah day. Sorry ... next time!
Photos are here. Not that many due to all the rain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmnypny/sets/72157624018869150/
And this somewhere would be the Petawawa River. It is pretty amazing that I swam in the Lovers and Catwalk section for many summers as a military brat but never ever paddled it in my canoe.
The time had come and what could be more safer and fun but to do it during a festival.
I headed off to my dads place after work on the thursday. I stopped off at the river to check the level and get some info from Phil. After that I stopped at Brad's to borrow a cart for my boat before finally getting to the folks place.
Friday:
I worked from his place friday and headed off to the river around 3pm to help set up. Phil and Cody were gracious to lead me down the river. I had no issues at Railroad but ended up having an out of boat experience at Lovers. I almost made it but not quite enough. After a quick self recovery we took out at the Catwalk. I was so happy with my run as it was now my first personal decent of the section of the river.
I met up in the park with a bunch of old friends to catch up on life.
Saturday:
Today would be race day and I headed over early to help set up. This would be my day of sever stupidity. I would eventually have to make TWO trips back to my dads ... first to get my drysuit and booties ... the second to get my pfd and helmet. I must say I was a total idiot.
It was great to see more of my friends. Especially Jen as i had not seen where in over a year due to her travelling with her job. It was nice to have her back in country safe and sound.
I did a practice run on the river and it went very well. I did not care about my time. It was more of making it down the river blue sky up. I made it through lovers no problem at all and was very very happy. I spent about an hour shooting photos of the practice runs. The weather and lighting were not that great for doing so but hey it would not be a festival without crappy weather.
I headed back up to the top for timed race run. As l uck would have it I ended up side surfing the last hole at the bottom of railroad for a very long time. I was told by many people later who were standing on the bridge that they were worried that I was stuck under my boat when I was actually still in my boat. I was forced to bail when i came out of my outfitting.
I had a laugh when a rescue kayaker said let go of your boat as we were swimming together ... I went ... uh ... NO. I Swam the boat to shore ... emptied her out and go back in. Soon I was at Lovers ... I took the same line as before and totally aced it by going completely left of the rooster tail. It was an awesome but tiring run by the time I got to the Catwalk finish line. I think I did it in under 11 minutes including my out of boat experience.
Later that night we all went to the Yacht Club on the Base for dinner and awards ceremony.
Photos are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmnypny/sets/72157623893866513/
Sunday:
Today would be an interesting day. It would be my personal first decent of the Upper Petawawa River in Algonquin Park. I was a bit nervous to say the least.
I manage to hook up with three other open boaters I have paddle with in the past. It would have been five of us in total but Jamie got hurt the day before and could not make it.
After doing all the shuttle logistics we put on the river and enjoyed a leisurely warm up paddle to the first set of rapids. Soon there was us and about thirty kayakers on the river. I managed to run my first ever drop in my life. I think it was about a six footer. I ran it clean with the proper angle and lean back. It was a bit nerver racking as I was not sure about how far back to lean but I nailed it. I have hapy to see that alot of people I new watched me run it.
There was another sketchy drop on river right at the next set. I did not even attempt to think about running that one. I took the left channel and end up having a swim. I ended up with having to much lean going through the hole sideways. I tried my best to slowly move my weight over to the other side and almost made it. Johno said i looked like one of those fainting goats trying to get my boat to lean the other way in slo-motion.
After that the river was pretty much full on. I ran the rest of the solid class 4's fine with some interesting lines to say the least. It did not take the four of us long to scout each set. It got to the point that we head to depart from the group of kayakers as they were taking way to long to over analyze the runs only to end up psyching themselves out not to run them.
I ended up running the drop at the last class 5 fine but did not realize there was more crap further down below about 100 metres away and ended up going over the equivalent of Leftside Horsehoe on the Ottawa and then having a short swim.
After what would be a long bumpy swim on a stupid "F_ck You" rock we were at the takeout.
All I can say is that is was a fricking awesome experience and I want to run that section of river again. Thanks to Dave, Matt, and Johno for an excellent day.
I must apologize to Jen for bailing and not paddling with her tah day. Sorry ... next time!
Photos are here. Not that many due to all the rain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmnypny/sets/72157624018869150/
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