Topic: hell or high petawawa river ????????

[JackT]

Sorry Ryan, I only got to read your post today.
Next time, call me 613-601-3920.

As far as running the Upper Pet in a playboat... It's doable pending your paddling skills. All rapids can be walked. I paddled with Dave Howlett and KWP (Emmanuelle and Brett). One guy, Eric, did the whole thing (including Poplar Falls) with a ROCK STAR!
The guy's good.
There was another, Ben I believe, was in a Fun and he walked a couple (very respectable, challenge by choice).

It was a beautiful day, not too hot, water not too cold and the bugs are only starting to bite so almost tolerable.
I am proud to say... I was the only one who swam 
Just after Poplar Falls, bump and grind to the end, I followed Emmanuelle who found some nice wave trains. Unfortunately, she knew there was a big sticky hole beside. I caught the shoulder of that hole and got pulled in.
Whatever...

[ChristianG]

Hey Ryan--once you run a difficult/steep/long/freezing river in a creek boat, you will definitely appreciate. You have more time to enjoy the scenery, and you're much drier and less tired at the end of the day... And I agree with Larry: no point hiking 4km to portage rapids too big/steep for a playboat (I include the 4Fun in that category on account of its low stern volume, which can be a problem on steep stuff). Too bad you can't make it, however, as you would have enjoyed it (in a big boat)... --C.

[Falls]

Turns out I'm back on Mother's Day duty, so my Sunday pass has been revoked.  I will make arrangements for a creek boat next time.  Thanks for convincing arguments towards a big boat.

[Larry W]

Hi

The difference between this year and last ... is the present level is about 30 cms lower, yah you can change the graph to show discharge in cms.
We ran it last year at 100 cms and our normal lunch spot was under water.

I prefer the level around 80 cms, and have run it at 50 cms ( a bit to low for my liking).

All rapids have a portage route, but it's kinda silly to walk up then portage down the river. If you bring the play boat, running the rapids is bit more interesting and entertaining, then the next time you will most likely choose a creak boat.

Larry

I'm in (with the help of some ibuprofen).

The level is going to be lowish (~2.88) for the Upper, but it should still be very good stuff:
http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/graph/graph_e.html?stn=02KB001

Phitty had said this about the upper on the Boatwerks board a couple of weeks back:
"It runs all summer.
I personally think it is best from 3.3 down to 3.0 but some like it higher and many like it lower.

The lowest I ran it was 2.7 and I wouldn't go back at that flow but loads of people do."
http://boatwerks.net/boater-board/1/12267

So that sounds fine to me as it will be my first time down and I don't want to rush the experience.

[ChristianG]

I was thinking of going but only have a play boat - should I skip it?
Adam

Hi Adam. My choice is to only run this in a creek boat. VERY experienced paddlers CAN run it in playboats, but I'm not there yet and someone with 10+ years of experience had a bad swim there last hear. It's far and remote and has a few Class III-IV rapids, and many continuous Class III ones where you need to be able to pick your line as you go without scouting (unless you want to paddle in the dark after sunset...). Definitely not like the Ottawa or the Gatineau. If you want to get an idea, go to Petawawa on Saturday and take a look at the first rapid of the Town section, Railroad, and imagine over 10 km of similar stuff... My suggestion would be to run the Town section successfully a few times before attempting the Upper section. Cheers!  --C.

[ChristianG]

I think you will enjoy it more in a bigger boat than 4fun--IMHO, Ryan: someone in a playboat with 10+ years of paddling experience had a bad swim there last year. Good news is that Jacques may be able to set you up with something much more 'fun' than a 4Fun--give him a PHONE call as soon as you can (best way to reach him to discuss stuff).  Or rent a creek boat, you won't regret it. --C.

[Falls]

Most people I've spoken to said that I should be able to manage it in my 4Fun.  Christian, I will defer to your experience on this one, as you've seen the river, and you've seen me boat.

In the meantime, paging JonCyr or JackT: I'll loan you a 12 pack if you'll loan me a creeker; with a mutual understanding that both be returned dry.

[bastien86]

 

 I heart than some boaters had doing this river whit a PLAYBOAT
the upper pet have 2-3 big rapids (r4) who is better to run whit a creek boat
  the rest of the river can be doing on a play boat whit a good boater (experience) you need to rool your kayak, if not you can lost your kayak (pine ) some rapids are long and continious

Im just doing this section at medium-high (3.1)  and for me it'S always a creek boat for this kind of river its better (security) and very funny to have a good control on the boat.

Bast
819-350-1342

[DaveH]

I'm in (with the help of some ibuprofen).

The level is going to be lowish (~2.88) for the Upper, but it should still be very good stuff:
http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/graph/graph_e.html?stn=02KB001

Phitty had said this about the upper on the Boatwerks board a couple of weeks back:
"It runs all summer.
I personally think it is best from 3.3 down to 3.0 but some like it higher and many like it lower.

The lowest I ran it was 2.7 and I wouldn't go back at that flow but loads of people do."
http://boatwerks.net/boater-board/1/12267

So that sounds fine to me as it will be my first time down and I don't want to rush the experience.

[AdamN]

I was thinking of going but only have a play boat - should I skip it?
Adam

[ChristianG]

Hi Ryan. The Upper Petawawa is a go, but you need a big boat (creek boat recommended) and some method to carry it with all your gear for more than 4 km on an old railroad bed... I'll be there! --C.

[Falls]

Is the Upper Pet run a sure thing on Sunday? Who is looking at doing that?
Sandra

I have negotiated a day-pass on Mother's Day, so I'd like to join in if there's a group running it.

[jonyak]

My back is out and so am I.

Have fun.

Paul

I know how you feel. 

[Paul Potvin]

My back is out and so am I.

Have fun.

Paul

[bastien86]

saturday i will run the town section Petawawa river I never do this section and for
sunday I will probably run the Algonquin section i will confirm that tomorow
all depends if a new boater from Kingston come whit me if the  new boater from Kingston come whit me I will run the ottawa river section on Sunday.

Bastien Bourassa-Dusseault
819-350-1342
boubou8611@hotmail.com