Water is up everywhere so the challenge should be deciding where to go. The belly surf wave is big and fun, although the eddy is pretty washed out. An extra hour of eddy building and it would have survived quite well. I am on a course around the Cardston area. Begginers are meeting at 9:00am in the Alternate School in Cardston, and Intermediates are meeting at 1:00pm at Tim's on the upper Saint.
Post other trips here.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Dearborn
The dearborn river north of Helena and south of Augusta is one of the prettiest rivers I have seen. It flows along vertical canyon walls for most of its length.
The rapids are rarely above class I+ except for 2 short sections of II- and one of a boulder garden III- that would be a challenge in a breakable canoe.
The upper sections are apparently fairly flat as well. We ended up camping near the headwaters. There is an informal campsite just before the cabins near Falls creek. By the diversion dam there is a small play wave. A campiste about 1km further down has a small play hole, and is further removed from the road.
Falls creek is nearby. While a pretty run, it is mainly a number of steep semi-runnable drops up to 50feet tall. The upper Dearborn looks much more pleasant, although it is still a stout run. We, unfortunately didn't get to hike it. Across the valley from the dearborn are a number of caves. It is a great place to explore.
Swift Water Rescue Course
Tim Ruggles is running a Swift Water rescue course June 5 and June 6. The re-certification is only one day. Contact Kimbal River sports at 653-1099 for more information. A wilderness first aid course is also going on.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Lower St. Marys on Victoria Day
The lower St. Marys is currently at 31cms, so I'm thinking hit it while it flows! I am thinking of a 4 or 5pm start, depending on who is available to paddle. Post if you wanna paddle!
Clayton & Matt Hironaka and Myself hit the river around 7pm and were off around 9:30. It was a great paddle, but a bit late. The play hole at the willow/birch? tree was awesome! Lot's of power and fun to play at the 31cms. I am hoping to get out on Friday (if the flows are still up) as I get off work early (2pm) and am looking for a few interested parties. A threesome would be nice!
See you on the river!
Clayton & Matt Hironaka and Myself hit the river around 7pm and were off around 9:30. It was a great paddle, but a bit late. The play hole at the willow/birch? tree was awesome! Lot's of power and fun to play at the 31cms. I am hoping to get out on Friday (if the flows are still up) as I get off work early (2pm) and am looking for a few interested parties. A threesome would be nice!
See you on the river!
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Lower Saint on Wednesday Cancelled
Well, due to car problems on Tuesday and lack of interest on Wednesday (Sorry Kevin!) or the short notice, I was only able to get one intersted party for the Lower Saint this week. If there are any interested parties for next week, please post to let me know. I would like at least 3 total (not me, myself and I) to make the trip worthwhile and for safety reasons.
The trip would depend on interest, weather and flow levels. I there are enough interested parties, we could find water so the levels wouldn't be so important.
To make it easier for me to contact you, my email address is below. This is specifically for Scottg and Kevin, who expressed interest already. I'll need phone numbers to contact you as I don't have yours Scott and I have seemed to have miss placed yours Kevin.
Again sorry about the trip not going this week, but let's try and get some interest for next week!
The trip would depend on interest, weather and flow levels. I there are enough interested parties, we could find water so the levels wouldn't be so important.
To make it easier for me to contact you, my email address is below. This is specifically for Scottg and Kevin, who expressed interest already. I'll need phone numbers to contact you as I don't have yours Scott and I have seemed to have miss placed yours Kevin.
Again sorry about the trip not going this week, but let's try and get some interest for next week!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Why Kayaking is Better than Biking
Well this weekend, I decided to stick around for Mothers Day and do a bit of biking with my brother. Biking eh? They should just call it "2 wheel suicide". Just kidding, don't want to offend those bikers out there. Anyways, long story short, monkey see, monkey do, monkey crash...
Well I hope everyone is getting excited about the long weekend! For those that are intimidated about kayaking, the 3 Rivers Whitewater Rendezvous (Snofest) is a nice way to paddle in larger groups for those that go it alone. They usually have a beginner, intermediate and advanced trip everyday. Great way to meet people and paddle with a safety net.
Anyways, good luck everyone on finding something to do this long weekend!
You don't get road rash like this kayaking! So this is why kayaking is better!
Well I hope everyone is getting excited about the long weekend! For those that are intimidated about kayaking, the 3 Rivers Whitewater Rendezvous (Snofest) is a nice way to paddle in larger groups for those that go it alone. They usually have a beginner, intermediate and advanced trip everyday. Great way to meet people and paddle with a safety net.
Anyways, good luck everyone on finding something to do this long weekend!
See you on the River!
Long Weekend Trips May 19 - 25
Trips are still in the works for the long weekend. Ideas being tossed up are Kootenai river area in Monatana for Yaak and Kootenai (Class IV and V), the Lussier area for Skook and such (Class IV), or perhaps the Dearborn area (Class II, 0 and V). Hopefully others will be heading out as well. The Calgary area looks poor for flows, Monatana ideal, and the Kootenays pretty good, getting quite high as you head south west.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Two Medicine Falls
After reading "Floating in Montana" that describes most every large volume river in the state, I was a little bit worried about the possibility of a near unportable falls in a deep shale canyon. The truth is actually quite different.
The upper Two medicine is located 1.0 hours south of Cardston by the town of East Glacier. The run starts at the first bridge north of East Glacier. There is a pull out just south of the bridge. The suggested take out is the highway bridge. The easy walk out is on the east side up a large grassy hill.
The run is about 6km in length and has quite a few small features. I would guess a solid class II all the way down. It has a character similar to Livingstone, but more constant and with crux rapids a half grade down. At higher flows there should be loads of easy surf waves. After the falls things often run over a flalt bedrock base.
The falls are about 15 to 20 feet tall and quite clean. There are no undercuts. The left side feeds into a deadly tree. Porting requires a short hike to some trees and a rope to lower boats off a tree and perhaps a body rappel for 15 or 20 feet. (Pretty easy compared to the epic imagined). A large pool backs up the falls. A few ledges lead to this. Get out river left.
All in all a great run. I would say low flow is 600, medium probably 900
Standard rapids for the top 1/3. The bottom 2/3 is more wavy than ledgy.
There were two or three partial sweepers, but no river wide logs. It was pretty wood free all in all. Since it is about the same distance from Lethbridge as some of the Castle runs, I wouldn't be surprised if this run becomes quite popular. Since it is dam released the season may be fairly long.
/br>
UPDATE Low flow - 700 to 900
Medium - 900 - 1300
High 1300 - 2000?
More images from the trip on Thursday are here
The upper Two medicine is located 1.0 hours south of Cardston by the town of East Glacier. The run starts at the first bridge north of East Glacier. There is a pull out just south of the bridge. The suggested take out is the highway bridge. The easy walk out is on the east side up a large grassy hill.
The run is about 6km in length and has quite a few small features. I would guess a solid class II all the way down. It has a character similar to Livingstone, but more constant and with crux rapids a half grade down. At higher flows there should be loads of easy surf waves. After the falls things often run over a flalt bedrock base.
The falls are about 15 to 20 feet tall and quite clean. There are no undercuts. The left side feeds into a deadly tree. Porting requires a short hike to some trees and a rope to lower boats off a tree and perhaps a body rappel for 15 or 20 feet. (Pretty easy compared to the epic imagined). A large pool backs up the falls. A few ledges lead to this. Get out river left.
All in all a great run. I would say low flow is 600, medium probably 900
Standard rapids for the top 1/3. The bottom 2/3 is more wavy than ledgy.
There were two or three partial sweepers, but no river wide logs. It was pretty wood free all in all. Since it is about the same distance from Lethbridge as some of the Castle runs, I wouldn't be surprised if this run becomes quite popular. Since it is dam released the season may be fairly long.
/br>
UPDATE Low flow - 700 to 900
Medium - 900 - 1300
High 1300 - 2000?
More images from the trip on Thursday are here
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Long Weekend Rendezvous
3 Rivers Whitewater Rendezvous (Snofest)
The Pinch-o-Crow Creekers are hosting the 8th annual River Rendezvous on May 19-20-21-22 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 something special 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.
We are again hosting a full breakfast each morning. Cost is included in the package this year.
Prizes will be drawn for during the weekend.
We are building a package price for the weekened. This price includes all entries, 3 nights camping, 2 suppers and 3 breakfasts, prizes. I hope that will be reasonable for everyone and still allow us to cover the costs.
Paddlers - Adult/Junior $45.00
Non-Paddlers $35.00
Non-Paddling Children (under 10) $15.00
Toddlers (3 and under) Free
Families of 3 $95.00
of 4 $110.00
of 5 or more $120 + $10 for each additional adult/junior
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 with your friends I would appreciate knowing that in advance so we can pencil you in and rope a spot off for your group.
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 Oldman River Dennis Ranch
Dennis Ranch to Bob Creek
Snowpack in the mountains is well above average this year, which is surprising given the nice spring we have had. So with some warmer weather we should be well above normal for lots of water this year.
For up to date info on water levels and snowpack 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 2005 we had 105 paddlers down here, so it was a great gathering and still with so many locations there was lots of space for everyone. 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
The Pinch-o-Crow Creekers are hosting the 8th annual River Rendezvous on May 19-20-21-22 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 something special 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.
We are again hosting a full breakfast each morning. Cost is included in the package this year.
Prizes will be drawn for during the weekend.
We are building a package price for the weekened. This price includes all entries, 3 nights camping, 2 suppers and 3 breakfasts, prizes. I hope that will be reasonable for everyone and still allow us to cover the costs.
Paddlers - Adult/Junior $45.00
Non-Paddlers $35.00
Non-Paddling Children (under 10) $15.00
Toddlers (3 and under) Free
Families of 3 $95.00
of 4 $110.00
of 5 or more $120 + $10 for each additional adult/junior
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 with your friends I would appreciate knowing that in advance so we can pencil you in and rope a spot off for your group.
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 Oldman River Dennis Ranch
Dennis Ranch to Bob Creek
Snowpack in the mountains is well above average this year, which is surprising given the nice spring we have had. So with some warmer weather we should be well above normal for lots of water this year.
For up to date info on water levels and snowpack 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 2005 we had 105 paddlers down here, so it was a great gathering and still with so many locations there was lots of space for everyone. 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
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Trips May 12th to May 18th
Post any trip proposals here. I will be up around the Calgary area this week. Perhaps near Radium or the Kicking Horse if the weather is nice.
King of the Castle
This weekend, I introduced a few new paddlers to the Castle River and what can I say... some happy paddlers.
(Me dropping in)
The paddle starts at castle falls, which is a great class IV to start with. That is if you've never run a class IV and want to start, this is the one. It's easy access and it's at the start so if you change your mind, you can skip it. As you can see, they didn't!
(Nathan on his way out of the falls)
(Ethan on his way in)
(Me dropping in)The paddle starts at castle falls, which is a great class IV to start with. That is if you've never run a class IV and want to start, this is the one. It's easy access and it's at the start so if you change your mind, you can skip it. As you can see, they didn't!
(Nathan on his way out of the falls)(Ethan on his way in)The run is about 8.8km and is a pretty action packed run for the first half. After that it drops down to the mellow tempo of class II. Here we see Janson "the vice" Smith dropping into Narrow Gate rapids. I believe it's a class III+
See you on the river!
P.S. you can download full size images on www.flickr.com! Just join up and search under my name to find all these pictures!
See you on the river!
P.S. you can download full size images on www.flickr.com! Just join up and search under my name to find all these pictures!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Courses
As was mentioned at the AGM there will be a series of courses running out in the Cardston area this spring. The begginer course is a level 1/2 course. It will focus on basic paddling skills in a slow moving river setting. It should be a good introduction to such things as basic paddle strokes and techniques, loading boats, organizing shuttle, etc. It should also introduce you to some good novice runs. Enrollment is limited to 5 or 6. $100 including club membership. $150 with boat rental.
The intermediate course is a combination of a level 2/3 course. Paddlers should have previous white water experience equivalent to the upper St. Mary's. It will focus on river running skills, group dynamics and safety. A variety of runs will be done based on paddler experience and skill. Enrollment is limited to 4 or 5. $100 including club membership $175 with boat rentals.
MORE INFO INCLUDING DATES
The intermediate course is a combination of a level 2/3 course. Paddlers should have previous white water experience equivalent to the upper St. Mary's. It will focus on river running skills, group dynamics and safety. A variety of runs will be done based on paddler experience and skill. Enrollment is limited to 4 or 5. $100 including club membership $175 with boat rentals.
MORE INFO INCLUDING DATES
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
AGM
I would like to thank all those that showed up for the AGM.
Although it can be a pretty tedious hour, it’s the only time we can get input from the club members. It’s when we decide the direction to take the club. If people want easier river trips, this is the time to voice that! As it was, most of those that showed up were interested in class III or higher, with a few people wanting class II or lower. For this year, expect most of the trips to fit the demographics of those that showed up.
See you on the river.
Minutes are found here
Trips May 5 to May 11
It looks like the local rivers are coming up. The belly is good, the Castle is good, the Middle Fork is great. Other Montana runs are in, and the Upper Saint will soon be in decent shape.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Great Link to River Flows!
Someone (kearl) emailed me a link to this site.
http://kayak.definitionsystems.ca/
It gives you the flows of a bunch of rivers all at the same time! Chris will hopefully get this on the sidebar soon. With this site, you can quickly decide which flows are up and what would be best to paddle!
Nice Job "kearl"!
http://kayak.definitionsystems.ca/
It gives you the flows of a bunch of rivers all at the same time! Chris will hopefully get this on the sidebar soon. With this site, you can quickly decide which flows are up and what would be best to paddle!
Nice Job "kearl"!
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