As users of the Oldman Watershed, I wanted to encourage the paddling community to send entries in for the Oldman Watershed Council photo contest.
http://www.oldmanbasin.org/photo_contest.html
The prizes are not that great, but perhaps we can increase awareness regarding recreational and paddling use of the watershed. As Stew said earlier this year, expansion of irrigation infrastructure does indeed threaten some of the best paddling spots in Southern Alberta.
Good luck and happy paddling.
Mark Kadijk
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Trips July 28th to August 3rd
The summer is flying by, so take advantage of some of the paddling trips.
Upper St Marys has provided some fun trips over the past two weeks. Flows (17 cms) are great for begginers, and a couple of play spots provide a place for more advanced paddlers to practice skills as well. Just yesterday, a group of 10 paddlers enjoyed the Upper, some of whom had never paddled on a river before. Both they and more seasoned paddlers enjoyed some hole and wave surfing as well as a great sunset. All of the reports that I heard were positive. If those paddlers or any other ORCKA members are interested in this trip or any other trip, here is the place to leave your comments.
Upper St Marys has provided some fun trips over the past two weeks. Flows (17 cms) are great for begginers, and a couple of play spots provide a place for more advanced paddlers to practice skills as well. Just yesterday, a group of 10 paddlers enjoyed the Upper, some of whom had never paddled on a river before. Both they and more seasoned paddlers enjoyed some hole and wave surfing as well as a great sunset. All of the reports that I heard were positive. If those paddlers or any other ORCKA members are interested in this trip or any other trip, here is the place to leave your comments.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Trips July 21th to 27th
There is still plenty of water flowing in BC. If you have any exciting paddling adventures planned, comment on them here.
There are a couple of runs around the Elk that could make a solid day of paddling if linked together (Lodgepole to Wigwam to Elk... class III-IV/V). If anyone else has paddled any of those sections, I'd love to know what they are like. Also, if anyone is interested in planning a trip out there leave your comments.
Happy paddling!
There are a couple of runs around the Elk that could make a solid day of paddling if linked together (Lodgepole to Wigwam to Elk... class III-IV/V). If anyone else has paddled any of those sections, I'd love to know what they are like. Also, if anyone is interested in planning a trip out there leave your comments.
Happy paddling!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Magrath Triathalon Needs Kayakers (friendly reminder)
Magrath is having their annual triathalon July 29 and are asking for our help. They have done some research and have found that kayakers make for the best rescue craft for triathalon swimmers. They are hoping for as many able-bodied kayakers (meaning kayakers that would most likely not create a need for rescue themselves... you should have a roll) as are willing to volunteer. This years Magrath Triathalon has a cap of 200 participants, so there will definately be a need for more than a couple of boats. We have commitment from three boaters to this point but could use a couple more. Your time would be greatly appreciated.
The commitment would be from 8 am to about 10 am at St Marys Reservoir, and I was told that we would get t-shirts and possibly food out of the deal. If you are interested in helping out, please let me know, so I can get back to Magrath with approximate numbers. Thanks.
The commitment would be from 8 am to about 10 am at St Marys Reservoir, and I was told that we would get t-shirts and possibly food out of the deal. If you are interested in helping out, please let me know, so I can get back to Magrath with approximate numbers. Thanks.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Trips July 6th to July 13th
Oops... We missed a "trips" post last week.
This weekend might be a Crowsnest and Castle weekend for the Smith Brothers. If there is anyone interested in a full day of paddling or even catching portions of the adventure, let us know by commenting. Don't hesitate to comment on other trips that you wouldn't mind others jumping in on either.
Happy Paddling!
This weekend might be a Crowsnest and Castle weekend for the Smith Brothers. If there is anyone interested in a full day of paddling or even catching portions of the adventure, let us know by commenting. Don't hesitate to comment on other trips that you wouldn't mind others jumping in on either.
Happy Paddling!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Bummer
Well after getting hammered on the lower Cameron (I got trashed in the big falls in the lower canyon and swam out into the undercut) I decided to go explore Alderson creek on foot instead of in a boat. This was probably a good idea since flows were low. Instead I figured, if lucky, it would turn into a bit of a canyoneering adventure. It certainly did. Large waterfalls with mandatory rappels. Several cliff jumps and some nice slot canyons. I will post more in a few days. Unfortunately in one of my pool jumps I made it a bit to far and my shallow landing meant I smacked my bottom good and hard on a rock. A broken tailbone is the result. I took it a bit easy on the rest of the hike out.
On the brigt side, I think a portage on river left of the must port falls on lower cameron may be a good option instead of the long hike out. It gives you a bouncy 20-30 footer at the Alderson junction. However no mor boating for me this season. Just more drywall dust from renovations.
On the brigt side, I think a portage on river left of the must port falls on lower cameron may be a good option instead of the long hike out. It gives you a bouncy 20-30 footer at the Alderson junction. However no mor boating for me this season. Just more drywall dust from renovations.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Boundary Trip Report
BOUNDARY CREEK REPORT
June 25th
medium (ideal) flows
Cameron at medium low, Pass creek at Medium
Joelle, David Faubert, Spencer Cox, & Chris Goble
Paddle about 5 km down to the boundary marker on the west side of the lake. Hike up a game trail up the boundary cut to have to look at water levels and to scout most of the canyon.
Follow the trail south, crossing the creek on a good bridge.
The Boundary creek trails heads up a short way past this. Hike for 3km until you get to the foot bridge. Put in just above this for a bouncy warm up drop.
The start has a canyony feel to it, but doesn't have any big drops. A log 1/2 down this section may present problems at high flows. Several worn branches extend down to river level, but you should be able to thread through these with some care.
Expect class III paddling in this section.
The river begins to open up. An open hillside on the left signals the first real drop.
Scouting is easy due to the boundary cut on this side. Customs is a 10 or so foot drop with a sharp turn off the top. There is a large pool after this, and some wood down stream.
The next drop has some funky pillows and deep water eddies. A log in the drop in addition to the undercuts could be serious. We ported on the right by following the boundary cut back down to the river.
The river now enters the canyon. The left side is steep slab. The right side often has breaks and ramps that separte the pots. However scouting and safety oftens involves hiking up and down the brushy hillside to make it to the next buttress. The next major drop is a 20 foot corkscrew melt. About 20 feet below the drop current feeds into a 3 foot undercut. Although it appears to readily push through good safety may be wise.
A small 4 foot pour over is next. Just below this is a potentially dangerous drop.
A slanting ramp feed into a series of undercut sides. At ideal flows there is a fun sneak line on the right that bounces off a ledge staying away from the caves.
Some scrambling may be required to set up safety and get a good scout. A 50m canyon section follows with a class IV entrance.
A good slide comes up next with a vertical drop of 10 feet or so. It is followed by a 6-8 foot drop with tight recirculation and a big cavy eddy below on the right, At high flows this could be unfriendly.
Eddy out after a short pillow drop, as the largest drp on the run is only a few pools away.
This drop is visible upstream of the foot bridge. A horrendous bushwack is required to get down to scout and set up safety. The drop is a 30 foot cruncher into a slot. It is a fun ride with a fair bit of time to brace for the impact at the bottom.
A large rooster tail belies a decent class IV drop. A log is present far off to the right in the pot below, but this should present many problems except at high flows. From here the foot bridge is visible with a foamy undercut on riber left.
June 25th
medium (ideal) flows
Cameron at medium low, Pass creek at Medium
Joelle, David Faubert, Spencer Cox, & Chris Goble
Paddle about 5 km down to the boundary marker on the west side of the lake. Hike up a game trail up the boundary cut to have to look at water levels and to scout most of the canyon.
Follow the trail south, crossing the creek on a good bridge.
The Boundary creek trails heads up a short way past this. Hike for 3km until you get to the foot bridge. Put in just above this for a bouncy warm up drop.
The start has a canyony feel to it, but doesn't have any big drops. A log 1/2 down this section may present problems at high flows. Several worn branches extend down to river level, but you should be able to thread through these with some care.
Expect class III paddling in this section.
The river begins to open up. An open hillside on the left signals the first real drop.
Scouting is easy due to the boundary cut on this side. Customs is a 10 or so foot drop with a sharp turn off the top. There is a large pool after this, and some wood down stream.
The next drop has some funky pillows and deep water eddies. A log in the drop in addition to the undercuts could be serious. We ported on the right by following the boundary cut back down to the river.
The river now enters the canyon. The left side is steep slab. The right side often has breaks and ramps that separte the pots. However scouting and safety oftens involves hiking up and down the brushy hillside to make it to the next buttress. The next major drop is a 20 foot corkscrew melt. About 20 feet below the drop current feeds into a 3 foot undercut. Although it appears to readily push through good safety may be wise.
A small 4 foot pour over is next. Just below this is a potentially dangerous drop.
A slanting ramp feed into a series of undercut sides. At ideal flows there is a fun sneak line on the right that bounces off a ledge staying away from the caves.
Some scrambling may be required to set up safety and get a good scout. A 50m canyon section follows with a class IV entrance.
A good slide comes up next with a vertical drop of 10 feet or so. It is followed by a 6-8 foot drop with tight recirculation and a big cavy eddy below on the right, At high flows this could be unfriendly.
Eddy out after a short pillow drop, as the largest drp on the run is only a few pools away.
This drop is visible upstream of the foot bridge. A horrendous bushwack is required to get down to scout and set up safety. The drop is a 30 foot cruncher into a slot. It is a fun ride with a fair bit of time to brace for the impact at the bottom.
A large rooster tail belies a decent class IV drop. A log is present far off to the right in the pot below, but this should present many problems except at high flows. From here the foot bridge is visible with a foamy undercut on riber left.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Kayak has been found
Well you can say that I am a happy camper now. I was informed today that my kayak was found and has been well preserved over the weekend. Thanks to the wonderful people of Magrath it has been returned to me!!! I am very excited to get back out on the rivers. Thank you to everyone that was helping me with the process of finding my boat and gear, I am very grateful. This is just a thought, but maybe everyone should think about putting some type of identification on their gear and boats!!!! It might be a good idea incase anything like this happens to anyone else.Thanks again and see y'all back out on the river. SBWW
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Trips June 23rd to June 29th
We got some paddlers excited to start posting for the next week. Fantastic! Many of the flows are still great although they are coming down. Let's take advantage...
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Just Off of Whoop-Up Bridge
The flows were sitting pretty high on wednesday night when Mark, Clay and I went out to the weir on the old man river just south of the whoop-up bridge. with these high flows the weir changed into a more pleasant surf wave. We had a blast and we only had to travel about ten minutes from our homes to play around in our boats. Mark was showing us his tricks and having a great time doing it.
The flows were still just not high enough to really keep you in the wave. As you can see in the above picture the water would build up then crash over the top over and over again, but could not maintain a constant curling to help keep you in. So it was a little difficult to try any tricks and stay in the wave. You would get flushed out pretty quick. BUT with a little more rain it would be awesome. 
More towards the middle of the weir was a spot to side surf. There is alot of moving water in this area to kick and bounce you around as you side surf. Clay showed us how to do it and made it look fun. Ethan was our great photographer who was there to support and keep us safe if we needed it, But all these photos were made possible from Ethan. Who would of Kayaked with us but didn't have his boat in Lethbridge. But we appreciate his efforts to watch and take these shots.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Lee Creek
Looks like Lee creek is up pretty good with the rain. You can paddle it from 10cm up, but 30+ is optimal. All images are from a flow of 2 cms.
The narrows up by Beazer is a good section. There are two ledged that are class II to III depending on flows. They are by the mini trailer park and cabin about 1km down stream of beazer.
Then things straighten out. At the narrows the big hazard is a log jam on an island that some current feeds into. The channel on the right is fun. Expect class III.
the entrance to the narrows
the cannal after the narrows
If you take out at the bridge on the Beazer highway there will be a fair amount of flat water until then. Watch out for a barb wire fence just under the bridge. There are lots of logs, but few river wide ones. From the beazer bridge down through Cardston there are a number of fences above the golf course that make things hazardous.
The narrows up by Beazer is a good section. There are two ledged that are class II to III depending on flows. They are by the mini trailer park and cabin about 1km down stream of beazer.
Then things straighten out. At the narrows the big hazard is a log jam on an island that some current feeds into. The channel on the right is fun. Expect class III.
the entrance to the narrows
the cannal after the narrows
If you take out at the bridge on the Beazer highway there will be a fair amount of flat water until then. Watch out for a barb wire fence just under the bridge. There are lots of logs, but few river wide ones. From the beazer bridge down through Cardston there are a number of fences above the golf course that make things hazardous.
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