CdB Forum

CdB Whitewater Paddling Club Discussions => Paddling => Topic started by: Bill Schlarb on July 03, 2014, 10:08:48 PM

Title: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: Bill Schlarb on July 03, 2014, 10:08:48 PM
For those looking for an alternative to Rouge or Ottawa, a group of us are planning to run the Petite Nation.
Check out the link for a river description:  http://www.quebecwhitewater.com/en/river-level/view/9

If you want to car pool in Ottawa, please meet at Tunney's Pasture parking lot at Parkdale and Scott behind the Statscan building at 10:00 am. GPS: 45.405444, -75.732338

Otherwise, we should be at the take out at 11:00 AM, GPS:   45.651385, -75.115316


Due to high water levels (confirmed by Roc at Aquaventures) the trip is being changed to the Ottawa: Middle Channel
We'll be meeting at the Kanata Park anf Ride at 10:00 AM


Bill
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: AdamN on July 04, 2014, 07:56:07 AM
Bill,
(Sorry for all the questions)
Can the rapids be walked?  Is it good for a playboat - at this level. How good does your roll need to be?  Could someone hang out at the takeout and practice rolls?

Adam
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: Renaud on July 04, 2014, 09:02:50 AM
Hi Adam,
all the larger rapids (Portefeuille, Slalom, Portes de l'Enfer) can be scouted/walked easily.  I am not sure about the other ones, but at medium-low water level they are class 2 - 3(-). Cascades would be a long walk...  A good option to avoid the first portage would be to put-in at Aqua-aventure (first R2-3 after the slalom). there might be a small parking fee.
I'll leave the "how good does your roll need to be" to Bill and whoever will do the rescue...
it can be paddled in a playboat at any levels; the lines are relatively easy.  however, there are no good playspots (except at the top of Cascades rapids at high level, a one-shot deal) and many, many manoeuvers to do if you want to add some challenges.  and there are a few green waves (e.g. bottom of the slalom) that are much easier to surf with a longer boat.  a river runner is more adapted to the river, but you can still go down in a playboat...
I would not practice rolls at the take-out.  there is no big eddy there and the current is relatively strong with waterfalls a few hundred meters downstream... not usually a place to be concerned, but practicing rolls there is not the best idea.  and the water is usually quite discusting at the take-out because the last flat is surrounded by farms... unless your into mud-mask therapy? Aqua-Aventure would be a much better place to practice.  and there are two nice little rapids with a pool a the bottom too.
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: AdamN on July 04, 2014, 09:38:28 AM
I think Lariza and I are interested.

Adam
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: Larry W on July 04, 2014, 11:16:16 AM
Aqua-adventure used to have a kayak school on the river ... Class II/III river.

The CdB used to have new comers day on the Petite, until parking became an issue.

1st canyon can be portaged on the river right with a few places to put in
there is a tree on River left at the rock - there is enough head space to do the limbo

2nd canyon --- portage to hell because there is none... because everybody runs that section
3rd canyon -- easy peasy
4th canyon -- we used to hike to across the farmer's field to get there ... fun, but I have only done it once

Rolling practice? This is a good river to practice the low brace technique.

Adam did a video last year at about the same level
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isJzWSaRPfk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isJzWSaRPfk)

Larry

Bill,
(Sorry for all the questions)
Can the rapids be walked?  Is it good for a playboat - at this level. How good does your roll need to be?  Could someone hang out at the takeout and practice rolls?

Adam
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: liz edwards on July 04, 2014, 11:40:51 AM
I am interested in coming. I have a new boat which I have to outfit and try out. It's a big boat and my 2Fun is probably more suited but it and I have to hit the water sometime this summer. I am interested in carpooling as I can't remember the way.

Liz
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: Martink on July 04, 2014, 12:19:12 PM
JEAN-NICOLAS CYR cannot post this because he didn't pay his membership yet. But he wants you to all to know that

"Ill most likely join you guys on the Petite tomorrow... Please be advised though that the level is closer to 80 or 90 cms... No 33 as posted... with the rains...levels doubled to srping flows. There is still a log on the left side of the rock but you can still duck under or roll if you cant make the right od the rock line..easy to make for us but not beginners...Also...scouting off the right shore over the scouting off the right shore over the cliff is not an option... new owner will let his pitbulls attack you. Still forgiving and no need to scout really..
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: jonyak on July 04, 2014, 01:14:52 PM
I'll join you at the take out.
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: Renaud on July 04, 2014, 01:19:18 PM
Seen on FB Ottawa paddling group

Kieran Dilla Smyth:
"New wood under water where the tree is on the left of the giant rock. Potentially fatal for a swimmer, couldn't tell what was down there but I paddled over it."

I agree with Jean-Nic. DO NOT STOP River right at the canyon.  the new owner is not very nice... he will probably get angry even if you just eddy-out on the right side! portage on the left side is not very nice, but doable.
Portage of the Portes de l'enfer (2nd canyon) is really not that bad on river right, except the very end that is a little steep... did it a few times to run the rapid again!
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: Bill Schlarb on July 04, 2014, 02:01:19 PM
JEAN-NICOLAS CYR cannot post this because he didn't pay his membership yet. But he wants you to all to know that

"Ill most likely join you guys on the Petite tomorrow... Please be advised though that the level is closer to 80 or 90 cms... No 33 as posted... with the rains...levels doubled to srping flows. T.

Not sure where JN got his flow numbers from because the official Quebec Gov't site says it running closer to 30 than it is to 80 cms

http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/suivihydro/graphique.asp?NoStation=040406

Bill
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: ylockhead on July 04, 2014, 02:39:45 PM
JEAN-NICOLAS CYR cannot post this because he didn't pay his membership yet. But he wants you to all to know that

"Ill most likely join you guys on the Petite tomorrow... Please be advised though that the level is closer to 80 or 90 cms... No 33 as posted... with the rains...levels doubled to srping flows. T.

Not sure where JN got his flow numbers from because the official Quebec Gov't site says it running closer to 30 than it is to 80 cms

http://www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca/suivihydro/graphique.asp?NoStation=040406

Bill

That cehq.gouv.qc.ca gauge is messed up.  It was reading 32 on June 24 when we had that massive amount of rain (over 5 cm in 24 hrs).  I paddled it that evening- it was NOT running at 32.  It looked closer to early spring levels.  And it smelled like cow poo. 
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Ottawa Middle Channel
Post by: Bill Schlarb on July 04, 2014, 03:10:50 PM
Paul Potvin just spoke to Roc at Aquaventures and it seems that JN's and Yann's info is correct: the river is running at high spring levels and the gauge is messed up.

So for folks wanting to do paddle something less difficult, the trip is being changed to the Ottawa: Middle Channel.
The meeting place will be the Kanata Park and Ride at 10:00 AM.

Bill
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: Petite Nation
Post by: Larry W on July 04, 2014, 05:34:09 PM
It is best to paddle the Petite Nation before the farmers upstream fertilize their fields for the year.

Quote
And it smelled like cow poo.
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: liz edwards on July 04, 2014, 06:13:04 PM
Dani has convinced me to do the Rouge tomorrow. I will see about Sunday if people are going.
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: Dani on July 04, 2014, 06:30:04 PM
Isn't that just like a princess to not want to smell like poo?
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: AdamN on July 04, 2014, 07:05:01 PM
We'll see you at the WT take out.  If it's 10:00 at Kanata (Eagleson Park and ride) it must be 11:30 at WT?  Owl has not posted the level since Wednesday July 2 (level was 3).  I suspect it will be lower tomorrow. I has been dropping like a stone.

The Middle may be a bit boney and/or relaxing.  The Main was fun last weekend (but we can save it for Sunday)

Adam
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: Bill Schlarb on July 04, 2014, 07:22:14 PM
Sounds good

Bill
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: Paul Potvin on July 04, 2014, 08:12:05 PM
See you at the Eagleston park and ride at 10 AM.

Paul
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: waverider on July 05, 2014, 08:05:24 AM
Just to let everybody know, my friend was in the area and stopped and had a look at the petite nation at the put in and there is no water levels like Rock said. He's full of shit!!!! The gage looks good to me. He probably did not want nobody on the river and said that the levels where high. The levels are more for opened boats on the petite right now, here is a photo of the take out at the bridge. I don't see those rock's sticking out at 80cms!!!!???? The last rapid is almost rock garden now. The log on the upper section there is about 6 feet of clearance under the log, at 80cms it's one hell of a tight squeeze, the small beach is in on the right side just above the rock island. The petite does not go up that fast compared to other rivers. It will be slow to reach a certain level will stay there for a while and then come down slowly. So in all, that was my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Saturday July 5: was Petite Nation, now Otttawa Middle Chan.
Post by: Paul Potvin on July 06, 2014, 01:43:59 PM
Thanks for Your correct info Richard!

Next tine we'll follow the guage!

Paul :)