For those experienced paddlers who love to run rivers in a pristine setting and can't make the trek to the Kip, the Upper Pet section in Algonquin Park is magic! But you have to earn it with a 5 k hike up a railway bed from Lake Travers. The reward: 22 rapids Class III-IV, McDonalds to Poplar Falls, with no crowds, in a landscape that Tom Thomson would have loved. Pool Drop run, some straightforward vertical falls (this is where paddler co-op teaches intro to creeking). The bigger drops are portageable.
We usually rendez-vous at the Irving Truck Stop in Pembroke at 9:00 a.m. If you want to have breakfast first be there earlier (good idea for the hike). Paddlers committed so far: Bill Schlarb, Rob Monti, Adrian Erkelens, Ray Canton, Larry Wong (?), Don Millward (?).
This is an isolated location, so solid roll, good judgment and good self rescue skills mandatory.
Call Bill at 613-224-8507, or Rob 613-692-6979 tonight if you are interested in joing in so we can sort out vehicles/rides.
