The trip started with the shock of a ten hr drive beginning at 7:30. We had a pretty cool bus driver with a handle for a stache who stoppe Ad in North Bay tolet us pick up some pizza and the missing groceries. After a Tim Hortons caffine break we were on our way for the long haul. A game of cards (Euchre) helped pass the time for some while others chatted away. We arrived at 4:30 in the morning and went straight to bed with the rising sun. Good night! (morning actually!)
Note: signage through Pembroke (to get to Hwy 148 is sketchy). We don’t recommend doing this drive at night. It was very exhausting and we couldn't do much the next day anyway so it would probably be better in the future years just spend the night at camp and leave early the next morning.
Hrs paddled: 9:30 to 6:00
Weather: Sunny to shitty throughout the day. With an emphasis on shitty after luunch. Rain and west winds.
A 7:40 wake up (thanks May!) came too early but was brightened by a yummy breakfast of burritos (thanks May!) Jeremy's thought of the day "I'll never say I actually like tofu, but at least now I won't complain about it?" One step for Jeremy. One large step for mankind. Sarah helped by cooking the mushrooms and onions (NO BURNING). We took our time and did some canoe bobbing down the sand dunes before hitting the water at 9:30. After a quick tobacco offering in hopes of safe passage, MoMay led a session on whitewater strokes. Before we knew it we came to our first rapid, CI tech. After scouting, Jeremy and Colin decided to test the water temperature while getting into their canoes. Everyone made it down ok! At the bottom we stopped for a lunch of cheese and crackers and afterwards we practiced front ferries and swimming in moving water. Sarah says 'OH, face downstream, that's so smart!?' Then the rain came. We all started to get wet and cold but we perservered to the campsite just above The Wall, singing songs about sand and other songs that weren't about sand but we changed to words so that they would be. We had a supper of mac and cheese huddled under the tarp and then Laura led up a team to make dessert. Afterwards we retreated to our tents and fell asleep to the sounds of raindrops. Buenos noches amigos.
Hrs paddled: 20min
Weather: Sunny all day with few clouds
The morning started with some blueberry gathering for some fresh apple and blueberry oatmeal. With bellies full we loaded our gear at the sauna site and lined the boats down the top part of Targie. MayMo ran this section in an empty boat to show the line at the campers request. Below we stopped at our packs and the campers had a sauna. Question- how do you get hot rocks from the fire into the sauna. Answer- you use the paddles designed to carry them that were resting outside the sauna. We had a lunch of bagels and cream cheese after eating tons of blueberries off the balance-on-a-log to get to island. The girls also spent some time building sandcastles and brain storming plans of sweet revenge on the boys. This was also the time at which Mo crawled out of the water doing an advertisement for black diamond cheese threatening to cut face.!?! Somewhere in this time span Mo and May slipped into accents. As we loaded up, May realized she needed a lift down to her boat so she kindly asked MO and John for their assistance. Mo quotes 'We better not dump John because all my stuff is loose in the boat!" Sure enough waves hit their boat and they swamped on the first part of the set. May the mojo also got wet!
Word to the wise- when brining a mojo- pack them in the middle of the boat- NOT the bow! Alright, follow the leader guys. Close behind, Jeremy and Simon dumped close behind (hasta la vista to Jeremy's hat) and the rest of the set was a bit of a scramble to collect the wanni and it’s pieces- once again- the wanni is not waterproof and the lid doesn't stay on on it's own. We camped at the bottom of the set after a long day?fortunatly it was an awesome site- best yet.
After weims to collect blueberries, May made bread and Mo made stew. Laura wandered back in with a present for MO. One that he maybe should have not gotten back- his white water shoes- flipsflops?Bonne Nuite.
Note: Targie Rapids
CIII- high volume, one curling hole to avoid and big standing waves.
CII- main channel V with squirlly eddies on the side, a big one on the left of the main channel
CII- ran the middle right/ main channel
CII tech- ledge on right- stay left and pick your way through rocks at the bottom.
HRS: 7
Alright, today is the first day we aim to gain distance, so up at 7:00. Mo and May corriographed a wake up dance to get everyone going/ Another incredible breakfast of blueberry pancakes and May completer the job while Mo's workout video was put on. On the water by 10 and off to check out the CII rapid. After choosing a left to center line we all ran clean lines. We also had our solitary illusion bursted when 3 groups passes us while we were scouting. Lunch of bread and sandwiches and apples was accompanied by a back ferry and back paddling lesson by MoMays alternative school. We practiced our backferries on the next few swifts to come. Awsome strokes by John to get his boat through these. Jeremy and Laura both took turns in the solo boat while Sara practiced her sternsmanship. Laura showed her the ropes and deemed it all a Richard Simmons paddling workout. We ran the last set of the day- a CII after scouting. Our solitary bubble was burst again when we passed a cabin marked police on it with a man mowing his lawn. It was not long until we got to the top of mountain chutes. Two of the three groups that passed us were set up camp here and after assessing water levels we decided to crash on the portage trail a little further up from them. As May made pesto for supper the rest of us headed all the way down the 1.34 km portage with our boats and non-night time gear. We figured the benefits of cutting the 300m above the falls were not worth the risk in high water. When we all got back (which us very fast) we delayed supper to swim in the rapids and hop and ferry from eddy to eddy. After that we got into dry clothes and ate some pesto. It was then that a name slip occurred and with their new found comfort levels they finally confronted us on what our names really are. The truth is out, but they still call us Mo and May. Now they only struggle to figure out what our normal voices are after 2 days of French/Italian/cowboy accents. Dishes were done, tents were pitched and after stories were shared we were off to bed. Hasta la Vista
Hrs- 9:30 to 5
Weather- overcast- rain once tents ere up
Wabun started portaging their gear before our 7 am wakeup, which we thought was early! After a breaky of clumpy oatmeal, that everyone loved- right guys?, the old men passed us, we carried down or last load. After lining the canoes down the steep cliff we ran a really fun CI tech at the bottom of the chute. No big obstacles in this high water level. After a short flat water paddle we arrived at Rapids Islet. We ran the top swifts/CI to approach the C4. Which we portaged after a river quiz. Lunch of leftover pesto pasta was eaten here. Alec decide to check the water temperature for us when filing up Hankia. Then we ran the rapid below and then we arrived shortly after at Rapids De L’ours for our last portage around the C4 and passed Wabun on the CII below. It was a technical run but we all did it. Then a long stretch of flat water started. Riddles were shared as Colin tried to knock Mo off his perch on the tickle trunk. John was the next to test the water temp as he floated bakwards in the solo boat into a sweeper. WE arrived at a asndy campsite along the shore. The contours on the far side of the river showed us some of the typical erosion that was happening along its shore. There was a steep sandy slope with trees littered down its side. John and Jeremy went across to collect firewood and Colin and Laura were a little more adventurous and they clambered up to the top of the slope and slide down. Meanwhile, on the other side, Simon and Alec were stoking the fire for May while she with the assistance of Sara (the chopper) whipped up a yummy potato chickpea curry dish- with cous-cous! Then the rains came and that sent us off to our tents to bed. Awsome day guys, see you in the morning.
Portages: 3
1-mountain chute- clear wide uphill trail and steep at bottom
2- Rapide Islet- CIII ran bottom
3- Rapide De l'Ours- CIV ran bottom
HRS 7
Rapids
CI tech- we ran middle right and it was straight forward
CI above 50/50- we ran middle and it was a rock dodge.
50/50- high volume chute, we ran the clear middle V
Weather- cloudy with sunny breaks, high near 20 with rains in the evening- again!
Rise and shine or I cut your face?.....again (HaHa)! We arose on this fine hazy morning to a great site- a moose feeding across the river. A huge beautiful creature we managed to scare away real quick. And, not shortly after we had another visit from The Wabun boys with whom we shared our yummy, yummy muffins. After a small visit and chat they got on their way and we quoted from Laura Look how hard they paddle? After a quick 3 hour pack up. Were on the river. It winds and winds and winds. John, Colin and Laura all took turns in the solo boat. But we were real pleased when Colin showed us his low brace dump. Very graceful.
WE all had a power smooth run through the Hunt Club Rapid. Colin did awesome in the solo boat down this set.
As we paddled and paddled around the bends, we finally stopped to eat a lunch of tortilla and PB and J and cheese while a veggie debate took place. Right after lunch we saw a rock face shoreline. Curious and unbelieving we approached it. It looked so out of place among all the sandy shorelines. It then drew our attention to a platform that was built on top for cliff jumping. WE took a little bit of time and enjoyed some jumps until time made us carry on. The CI above 50/50 was run clear by all except Johnny who was in the solo boat. He ended up taking a thumb knuckle scrapping water testing time. 100M doen the line we got to 50/50 where 2 big group[s were stationed just playing. We ran our boats through and it was a fun last run. Mo and Sara did a great demo of a line directly through a hole. We all followed- ha ha- just joking. We all missed that hole!
We decided to camp at the bottom on a sandbar island. WE were left to collect firewood form the woods near by and it was a little sick due to the lack of no trace abilities from other groups. Mo wiped up a great spag meal with tomato sauce while the crew worked on brownies. A big bonfire ended the night. What a roarer. Damn the drizzle that soon followed. Buenos Noches amigos.
May, Mo and Laura got up early to play at the bottom of 50/50 before breakfast. May and Laura took turns in the solo as Mo dumped whoever was in the tandem with him. Everyone else cooked their favourite breaky ever, cous-cous and dried fruit. Another slow pack up got us on the way for one of the funnest days of the trip. WE scouted our first rapid of the day -a tight right-. We opted to do the more challenging center route which was an option in this high water. A little wet for those who caught the edge of the hole, but really fun. We then arrived at Manitou rapids (CI tech) which we ran unscouted. It was basically a rock dodge but we stayed left at the bottom. We then arrived at Jam Rock?which we scouted from the right shore. Really high volume that takes you right over a hole in the centre unless you can hold left. We were confident to run this CII tech and eddy left before proceeding down stream. All runs down were pretty clean. John dumped early in the Ocoee and swam through the hole cleanly. Mo and Laura to the boats rescue. Alec and Simon then ran down cleanly but managed to dump eddying out below the hole. Tie up our fru-fru!!! Mo and Laura to the rescue again. Once again, the wanni is not waterproof. I think Wanna Ride my Bicycle is cursed! The canoe was pinned in slow current but it was no trouble for May. We decided to stop for lunch before proceeding down the rock garden below. During lunch we discovered that anything can be made tasty by adding cheese and salt. WE were visited by Superman and Clark Kent (a.k.a. Mo taking off and putting on his glasses) and then Superman had to fly back upstream to find his glasses. Once we were ready to continue we soon saw that this was a gorgeous part of the river. It was a fast flowing swift and we never discovered any of the CI or CII's down the boulder raceway that Hap mentioned. In fact we never really encountered any of obstacles in our high water. We cruised down in high spped to our campsite where May and Friend ( Danny from Esprit) were just leaving. They gave us some bread and dip and bananas and oranges. Really exciting! The campsite was incredible and had a beautiful view, great swimming and was sand free tent sites. And best of all were the trees. Large cedar trees and silver birch trees and a forest flour littered with ferns, wide leaf asters. Chili-less chili for supper (due to lack of chili spice) and brownies for dessert. Lemon bread was baked and the money was dried. We made spearmint tea from yellow birch and Simon led us in some political discussions. What a great day!
HRS 3 very lazy hours
weather- sunny with clouds.
Knowing that we are ahead of schedule we had a sleep in. We opted for a brunch rather then breaky and lunch. Hashbrowns, lemon bread, cheese, pasta salad and chili leftovers made for a diverse buffet brunch menu. After brunch we had an hour of solo time. Once we packed up, we piled into our canoes to finish our way down boulder alley. The water was shallow and the deep channels were hard to find at times even in our high water. It was a severely intensely lazy day. Especially for May who counted less then 30 strokes for the entire day. Come the Black River Inn, which was closed on Tuesdays, we all went for a swim and jujped in the boats except for Jeremy who was left behind by Sarah who just kept on paddling. After May and Mo denied him a ride everyone we all watched and laughed under our breaths (which is hard for Mo so it was really loud!) while he had to swim with and excruciating look of pain on his face back to his canoe 1 km downstream where Sara was waiting attached to the shore. Getting back in the boat was a whole other show! Thanks guys. The paddle along the rest of the Noire is sparse for campsites and littered with ugly cottages, retaining walls, roads and best of all empty beer bottles. 2 old men let us know about a beach site just downstream. When we arrived to our oasis of sand! Yeah! It was a huge site, we could almost fit all of our tents on it and cook supper on the stove. With some coaxing from Mo the boys turned on May and for a lack of Salami and an abundance of cous-cous on the menu. After she was thrown in the lake (but hey, she put up a good fight) she turned her vengance on Mo and made quick work with dumping him in the lake. He deseved it. Then Mo, mad at the boys for not helping him even after bribes of burger king were made mo joined forces with may to ensure in the end that everyone was wet. Alls well that ends well. As the storm calmed we set up tents before supper of burritos and leftover chili. A Desert of marshmallows before our nightly rain fall came again. Sweet dreams.
HRS 4.5
Weather- guess- rain? Ya your right!
WE awoke this morning to you know what, rain! Scrabble and fascism talks and sleep kept us in our respective tents until noon when Mo and May finally decided to do the dance. Packing up the site went at the same pace as usual and breakfast consisted of oatmeal a la cream/milko and leftover chili. After some morning swims and efforts to de-sandisize the canoes we were all ready. Not as much current carried us today and after a short while we needed a break. Where Jeremy promptly dumped the solo boast (in flatwater) We spent some time waiting for Sara the sterner and Colin the broken back bow's person. Lunch break at a picnic table for taboulli/couscous salad with leftover chili and May got to tell another of her great stories about french cowboys! Alright, back on the water! Wait, wheres Simon? Did he go ahead? Did eh drift back? Sara, where is he? Hahahahaha Thanks Colin! After an hr, Mo says to May- you got the maps? May says to Mo "no!" so Mo says "#@***$!*:. Alright who's going back? Mo and Simon volunteered and the rest of us carried on downstream to the dam. After smelling Jeremies juicy friut the whole way down we finally reached a wight for sore eyes. What a beauty to end the trip at, them Dam! All right guys, get up your tents out of the way so cars don't hit you during the night.We had a visit form a German shepherd dog who loved our attention. We had Dahl for supper in, guess what, the rain! Mo played host for our warm and fuzzy and wet sharing circle where we shared our good times over the past 12 days. Last night of trip and we're all excited but sad. Bonne Nuite!
Our pick up was early at 8:30 and we were ready! Rise and shine and 7:00 to pack 9ourselves up. No breakfast today because toady is ice cream day. Hooray! Happy sweet 16 to Laura on this fine day. Loaded up the bus real quick and made our way into Deep river Dairy Bar. YUM! Milkshakes and1L ice cream tubs. On the rest of the ride home the Construction lady kept us entertained by using her stop sign as a fishing rod, guitar, dancing partners and other various things that made us laugh. Before very long we were in Temagami and hiking the beach trail back into Camp Wanapitei. WELCOME HOME!
