Not sure if I can go or not but,
is this all camping or are there any accommodations such as cabins or motel etc and restaurant. I haven't quite graduated to kayaking and camping (still just kayaking)
And is it drive up Friday, paddle Saturday and drive back Sunday or what?
Please advise.
Cheers,
Adam
Ok... Typically, drive Friday (with optionnal Lower Petawawa run along the way), paddle Saturday and repeat same run again Sunday (if not hungover), then drive back. Shuttles need to be arranged (the shuttle distance is longer than the river!). Safety equipment, spare paddle etc. recommended. Water is warm, but run is long so a dry top still useful, if not only as a protection from deer flies...
The river itself is big rapids in deep water, large wave trains, a few holes to avoid if you can, and typically only one move required to negociate each rapid. Large pools of water to collect kayaks, swimmers etc. after each rapid. As I wrote, it is one of the best INTERMEDIATE rivers in North America, it is NOT an expert-level river. Last summer, many in creek boats did not get their hair wet. In a playboat, however, things can be more, say, interesting...
At the take-out (right at the last and big rapid): the festival headquarters; large cabins are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, i.e. most likely all booked by now. However, camping on lodge ground is nice, with access to cabin bathrooms, kitchens, sauna etc. I have always camped there, and avoided the bugs by partying with the people in the cabins. Bugs are not a problem late at night and in the morning.
There is also camping in the village at the put-in, with possibly fewer bugs but no entertainment. There is a corner store there however. Restaurants? Perhaps in nearby villages, but I always brought my own food. Dinner on Saturday can be included in festival fee, worth it IMHO: fish fry, freshly caught from the lake. If you drive Friday, you eat dinner along the way. So it's mainly breakfast and lunch that needs to be brought.
Typically, folks camp at the take-out (Google 'Kipawa Lodge'), bring food and lots of 'refreshments', and long pants+bug protection. Mud boots an asset if rain is forecasted. It is 'car-camping', not kayak camping (!!!), so you bring normal camping gear, but keep in mind that parking at the lodge is up a steep hill from the camping area, so lightweight camping is a plus... Usually, after running the river, people don't want to make the trip up and down the hill unless they have to (i.e. they forgot the beer cooler in the car).
Does this help?
--Christian