Chemainus River - Copper Canyon

Here is an Island Classic within 1.5 hours of Victoria. Super fun class IV canyons with one V that is not walkable. Most everything else is scoutable and walkable, especially for the one portage, which has thin line and an even larger cave/undercut to be swept into if you wander off that line!

The scene at the "secret" put in, aka drive a little further past the gate at the parking lot until you feel like stopping to paddle...

Jakub Drnec shows us a smooth ride down "Power-house" the first major rapid. Jakub is a local legend and one of about six or so boaters who claimed most of the first descents on the Island.

Looking up at the fun little double boof in there, tree is now gone thanks to some craft local boaters.

Shayne Vollmers, another Van Isl. Whitewater legend, looking up at a fun little boof drop.

 Drop before huge headwall.

 FACE WASH!

Massive head wall/canyon entrance

This is the last big rapid (excluding the take out drop). Enter going right-left, watch out for your left elbow and ride it out!

Drop from the tributary at the take out (river left), no thanks, more water and my boat might enjoy that!

Loaded van at the take out!

There are a few other bigger drops in the canyon I do not have pictures of, so I apologize. Thanks to Joe Box and Tim Dunbrack for photos.

Length - ~12 km (1.5-4 hours)
Put in/Take out Map
River level - Online Gauge (15-40 cms)
For a more detailed description on the run please visit the BC Whitewater Page

Cheers,
AP

Mill Bay Creek

Here is a little video Jackson threw together of a creek about 45 km from our home in Victoria. It has 4 super fun rapids that get much more difficult in higher water. The final three rapids become one with some meaty holes to contend with!

Directions from Victoria to parking lot/ put in/take - Map


Enjoy!

AP

HELP SAVE A RIVER AT RISK

Here in BC there is a large push to develop so called "green" micro hydro projects. In reality they are in fact not green, destroying ecosystems and altering water flows. They are specifically threatening to those in the paddling community. Most rivers we run are not considered "navigable" under the NWPP (Navigatable Waterways Protection Program). There are slippery environmental impact assessments take place that do not seem to effect the process, making one question who's in charge of such an operation.


Long story short, right now, Skookum Creek in BC is on the chopping block. It's a paddlers paradise when it comes to classic creeking in the province. Its truly a diverse place with steep canyon walls, lush flora and pristine blue glacial water cascading over perfect vertical waterfalls. Ahhhh the pursuit of whitewater doesn't' get much better!


YOU CAN HELP! Here is how;
Email this dude, tell him why Skookum creek (or any river for that matter) is worth keeping as a resource for outdoor enthusiasts a like, aside from the obvious environmental damage. 

Brent Magee - brent.magee@tc.gc.ca – he’s the NWP Officer handling the file.

Recommend to say:

1. Building a dam does not create better kayaking conditions – the river and flow will be permanently altered to the point that it will be unnavigable for most of the year.

2.There must be recreational whitewater releases provided by the company to account for the dewatering of the creek during its historical season of navigation.

3.There must be real time gauge information publically available to account for the drastic change in the season when the creek will flow.

4.Access to the creek via the existing and to-be-constructed roads must stay open during and after the construction period.

5.“Enhancements” to the Mamquam River do not mitigate the loss of recreational use on Skookum Creek itself.

At the very least, copy and paste that list with a sentence or two and email it to the address above and if you’ve run it, say the dates you did so. Elaborate and add more if you can. It will go a long way towards keeping Skookum Creek (and others in the future) runnable. The deadline in January 4, 2011.

For mor information visit the LIQUID LORE site, google the issue or review the NWPP for yourself!

Photo by Liquid Lore - Steve Arns
Paddler - Ian

(Source; Liquid Lore)

Cheers,

AP