Trips May 31 to June 6th

Post your trips for the week here. I am looking for people to head creeking down to the Bitterroots south of Missoula or up in the Kootenays (skook, dutch, wildhorse, etc). A hiking trip up to the Granite creek access of the Middle Fork of the Flathead would also be OK.

LVM

Kadijk sent me this link for lvmvideo.com. It has quite a good section of trip blogs Check it out. If anyone has any other good links, post them here.

Trips May 25 to 30th

If you have any trips planned for this weekend, this is the spot to post them. The weather looks good for the weekend. All the rivers are flowing, so take advantage of the prime conditions.

Help at River Rendezvous

The ORCKA Executive is looking for help running the breakfast at the River Rendezvous this year. If you can help on the Saturday or Sunday, please let Clayton or Mark I. know as soon as possible. Money earned from this event is used for equipment maintenance and purchasing, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks to all those who can help!

Mark Iwaasa


http://www.libertypages.com/chris/paddle/rendezvous.html

Courses

I thought I would post this update from aquabatics.

AWA River Rescue
Interested in taking the AWA 2-day River Rescue Course?
1) There may still be room this coming weekend in the River Rescue Course that Ernst Bergman is putting on for the Cottonwood Kayak Club. Contact Keegan Smith at ksmith@mancroft.ca for more information.
2) On Friday June 3rd and Saturday June 4th Ernst will be putting on another 2-day River Rescue Course on the North Saskatchewan. Cost of the course is $150 and funds are payable to the AWA. Please contact me aquabatics2@shaw.ca if you are interested in signing up.
3) Saskia van Mourik will be running the AWA River Rescue course on Thursday August 25th and Friday August 26th as part of the Junior's Paddle Camp. There will likely be space for other 'non-junior' paddlers to participate. Contact Lynn Jobe for more information at ianlynnjobe@shaw.ca
4) Jim McDonald will be offering the AWA River Rescue Course through the U of A later in un the season. Course dates are likely some time in August, but are not finalized. Contact Richard Simpson at 780-452-5878 x249 or by email at: Richard_Simpson@forcorp.com for more information.

AWA Trip Leader
Immediately following the River Rescue Course, Ernst Bergman will be offering a 2-day Trip Leader's program for Trip Leader Instructor Candidates, on Sunday June 5th and Monday June 6th. Although the AWA Trip Leader Program is normally an 8 hour program, this 2 day program is designed to fast-track strong Trip Leader Instructor candidates who are interested in going on to teach this program to clubs and other paddling groups. Please contact me aquabatics2@shaw.ca if you are interested in becoming an Trip Leader Instructor, and I will provide you with further Details on the 2 day program.

Level 1 Instructors Course
1) Saskia van Mourik will be offering the NCCP Level 1 course in the Calgary area in June 11-12. Please contact me aquabatics2@shaw.ca if you are interested in getting in on this course.
2) Roy Sharplin is offering NCCP Level 1 course June 7th, 8th, and 9th for U of A Paddlers. This is open to non U of A paddlers as well. Contact Richard Simpson at 780-452-5878 x249 or by email at: Richard_Simpson@forcorp.com for more information.

Level 2 Instructors Course
1) Chuck Lee will be running a Level 2 Instructor's Course on June 11th and 12th. The cost $160 plus $20 AWA fee. Contact Chuck at chucklee@telusplanet.net for more information.
2) Roy Sharplin is offering a Level 2 Instructor's Course on July 23rd and 24th for the U of A Paddlers. This is open to non U of A paddlers as well. Contact Richard Simpson at 780-452-5878 x249 or by email at: Richard_Simpson@forcorp.com for more information.

Drywood Access

With high water coming early, I just checked with the Blairmore Forestry service about the opening of South Drywood. Apparently, it won't be open until the 15th of June and closes at the start of September. By then, I am sure the high water will have gone. Alternatively to access the valley one can get a research permit which gives you a key to the valley. You need to contact the Blairmore forestry service with a letter of request. It should be on department letter head.

Perhaps I will need to make a trolley to carry boats up. There are quite a few people keen on doing it. The may long weekend event would be perfect.

Weekend Report II

A great weekend of paddling, with the flows coming up!

On Saturday, we saw 5 club members paddle down the Castle River. We started at N.B.Kirk's access and finished at the Canyon Bridge. Flows were at 36 cms for this mostly class II, which was ideal (see http://www.horizon.ab.ca/ace/StreamTeam.html for flow details). We had 1 swim and everyone pulled off a least one roll when it counted!

See you on the river!

Weekend Reports

This last weekend, the St. Mary's was down quite low. Mark K. and I paddled it on Thursday night. It was quite bony. On Friday Mark I. and I went down to the Middle Fork. Bear creek was at medium - low flows. Fun, but not pushy. This is a fun, consistent run. After, we went down the upper Middle Fork. We took out at the bridge below the Goat Lick. This section is about the same length as the standard run down to West Glacier. There are fewer rapids, more swirly eddies, and some great scenery. There is one major rapid a ways below the goat lick. It is probably a III. The eddies are a bit squirly for begginers. These can be avoided by going down the center of the river.

Rivers in Waterton are also flowing nicely. Pass creek was at mediumm to low on Sat, making for some technical moves down the rapid above and below the falls. I would give the lower rapid a IV-. On Sunday flows had gone up and the rapids were bigger, but less technical. I have been putting in at the top of the flood plane. This gives another III drop through a section of red argillite. It also gives a few more surf and squirt holes. Walk to the top of the S-bend. Currenly the apparent log jam at the end of the S is washed out, making a clean path. It is a short peak to have a look for yourself.

Any other reports?

Good Flows

With rivers coming up to perfect levels, so people may be wondering what ideal flows may be. Stew Rood and others have compiled a comprehensive list of flows for our area over the years. Click here for the info. Thanks Stew

May Long Weekend

I assume everyone knows about The Pincher Creek River Rendezvous. This is where most people will be going. Especially if it doesn't snow! For information or comments, check below.

We are providing the breakfasts on Sat. and Sun. We are looking for volunteers. Free boat rentals, and other perks if you help out.

http://www.libertypages.com/chris/paddle/rendezvous.html

April 29 to May 16th trips

Here is the spot to post comments to find other members interested in heading out on the water. Remember, while exec members may be keen on whitewater that others may not, put up a comment, many members are interested in finding like minded individuals for Class I. II kayak and canoe trips.

Pool Session Today

Wednesday from 7:15 to 8:30 is open pool for kayaking. I'm not sure who will be there to supervise, so please remember to pay MaxBell the drop in fee.

Yaak River

According to the Montana Surf guidebook, the Yaak river is one of the truly classic class IV runs in the State. It is supposed to have amazing whitewater in a medium to big volume river. Big Sky Fishing has a number of good pictures of the difficult sections. Yes, the slide does look horrid. Unfortunately, Float Montana doesn't have any descriptions of this run.

Grande Cache Wild River Rendezvous

Grande Cache is having their annual River Rendezvous again June 3rd and 4th. This is supposed to be a fun, raucus event. There is no cost for this event! They even do the shuttles for you!

For more infor click here

Horsethief Creek

This weekend I went over to Radium to check out a few rivers. Horsethief seemed like the best bet. The run was supposed to have class III rapids with two single shot IV's. There was also a huge VI falls in a small canyon. With cloudy weather, a 16km uphill bike shuttle, no partner, and no trespassing sings over the entire run preventing my usual pre trip scout, I didn't do the run. Perhaps I should have. According to Spencer's site it looks great.

However, I did manage to sneak down in one place and check out some of the rapids that sounded large. The water was approaching high flows. The rapids didn't seems too bad from where I looked. Of course, I missed the S-bend holes, and the ending of the canyon with the big falls I mentioned.

Any one up for some grade III creek next week? I would love to get on a number of nearby runs as well.







The exit canyon where the river is wide open an flat looks beautiful! There is also a flat water paddle similar to the Upper Saint without the big rapids. It is the lower Forester's creek. It looks short and goes to a nice camp site. Radium hot springs are about 5minutes away, and are nicer than I thought they were going to be. Of course that may have had something to do with that cute French girl in the black bikini!

3 Rivers Whitewater Rendezvous (Snofest)

Here is the information for the long weekend river rendezvous. I have just copied the info as Chuck sent it out.
-Chris

The Pinch-o-Crow Creekers are hosting the 7th annual River Rendezvous on May 20-21-22-23 again this year down in southwest Alberta in the "Centre of Adventure". We will be organizing and leading trips on the Castle, Crowsnest and Oldman Rivers in this area. There will also be opportunities to go paddle Cameron Creek and the Carbondale, Elk, Wigwam, Highwood, Waterton or Belly Rivers while you are down here. Only three days and too many rivers to paddle.

There will be opportunities for beginner groups to get on the water and paddle easier stretches as well as more advanced trips. We have several important changes planned for this year, including more sun, less snow and lots of water for all you big wave fans. Okay seriously – its always been fun and it will be fun this year too!

Camping is going to be the same as last year. We will be at the Castle River Rodeo Grounds. You may remember it as the takeout for the Upper Castle River run. It is centrally located and easy to find off Highway 507 between Lundbreck/Burmis and Beaver Mines, just south of Highway 3. This site is well sheltered and has more conveniences as well.

Drive west on Highway 3 past Lundbreck Falls till you come to Highway 507. Turn south and head towards Beaver Mines and Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Drive 8 km south, after you cross the Castle River at the top of the hill turn east to the Castle River Rodeo Grounds. The road swings back down to the river and we are camped right there.

We will again offer a bbq-burger and fixings dinner for Saturday night and the Sunday night we will have a chili dinner. There will be vege-burgers and a vege-chili for those who want it. Please let us in advance know so that we can order enough for you.

And the Oldman River Canoe and Kayak Club is going to host a full breakfast each morning. Cost is $10.00 per person for all three mornings or $4.00/breakfast.

A novice slalom on Boulder Run at the Oldman River will run on Sunday.
Prizes and more will be drawn for during the weekend.

We are building a package price for the weekened. This price includes all entries, camping, food, prizes. I hope that will be reasonable for everyone and still allow us to cover the costs.
Paddlers - Adult/Junior $35.00
Non-Paddlers $25.00
Non-Paddling Children (under 10) $10.00
Toddlers (3 and under) Free
Families of 3 $80.00
of 4 $90.00
of 5 or more $100 + $10 for each additional adult/junior

Pancake & More Breakfast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings $10.00 for 3 or $4.00 each.

There is an additional prize entry for all those who preregister. Please help us with figuring out how much food to prepare. If you want to set aside a camping spot for you and your friends together I would appreciate knowing that in advance so we can plan for
it.

There is no need to prepay, we'll collect when you get here.

Trips planned Advanced Novice
Saturday - Castle Falls to Rodeo grounds Crowsnest River
- Castle Canyon
- Elk

Sunday - Castle Canyon to Reservoir Castle R Rodeo to Canyon
- Carbondale River Crowsnest River
- Upper Oldman
- Elk

Monday - Oldman River Gap to Bob Creek Oldman River Bob Ck
to Maycroft

Snowpack in the mountains is coming up and we hope to have more by then for the spring paddling season. So with some warmer weather we should be right on schedule for lots of water this year. For up to date info on water levels go to:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/basins/BasinForm.cfm
go to Oldman River Basin - River Data - and then check out the Castle and Oldman Rivers.

So we are building on our very successful long weekend event. In 2003 we had 118 paddlers down here. We hope to see you down here and look forward to paddling with you. Please pass this message along to your club members.


Chuck Lee
Pinch-O-Crow Creekers
Box 162
Lundbreck, Alberta
403-628-2336 evenings
403-627-3020 days

May Pool Sessions

For the month of May, pool sessions have been moved to Wednesday from 7:15 to 8:30. We hope this works for everyone as it's the best we could get. See you at the pool!

Pincher Creek Club

I know some people stumble across this site while looking for paddling clubs in Southern Alberta. Lots of club information and contact information can be found at the AWA site at http://www.albertawhitewater.ca".

For others who may be closer to Pincher Creek Chuck Lee, chucklee@telusplanet.net has a very strong club running in Pincher Creek. For this year club paddles are

Monday 5-8 Advanced group doing river run
Tuesday 4-7 Novice group doing river run
Wednesday 5-8 Advanced group doing freestyle
Thursday 4-8 Novice and Advanced group doing slalom

Wednesday 6-9 Adult river runs (subject to change)

Club memberships are $20 I believe. Plus there are fees depending on which section one joins. Chuck would obviously have more information. From memory, I think the advanced group usually does the Castle Canyon, the Slalom is obviously on the Slalom course well below Lundbreck Falls. I would guess that the adult river run would usually be on the Crowsnest from the wooden bridge down to the slalom course. Of course these are just my recollections.

Flows

With the rain this weeks flows have really come up. The runs around Radium look to be at med - high flows. I saw horsethief and Toby first hand. They looked good (although cold). Blackiston in Waterton is flowing at a reasonable rate. The road to Red Rock is open. The park gate is also checking passes.

With more rain this week, I would say things look good for the weekend.

BIG TRIPS

After the AGM the other day, a few ideas were tossed out about big trips. Suggestions included the upper Middle Fork of the Flathead, some long Class II, and some canoe trips.

With info that the North Fork of the Flathead may not be as interesting as I had hoped, perhaps a trip down the upper Middle Fork in June would be good. I am fairly open to dates. Perhaps the first week would avoid the peak water, while still letting us run down Bear creek. I would plan on doing the 2-3km hike up to Granite creek, and then bouncing down to the Flathead where we would hit Spruce Grove Rapids (IV). Any takers? Any other big trips people would like?

I would still like to get down to the Bitteroots for a weekend before the water there gets too low. Perhaps the start of June as well?