Interested in paddling some wild and beautiful rivers with fun and skilled paddlers? The John Muir Chapter’s River Touring Section (RTS) has just what you’re looking for. RTS leads trips and instructional clinics on whitewater and quietwater that are open to Sierra Club members and the general public. Join us to perfect your skills, explore new waterways, meet other paddlers, learn from skilled volunteer leaders and have fun on the water. We offer trips and instruction suitable for families and individuals of varying ability. Trips are free, unless otherwise indicated; paddlers provide their own boats and equipment. Visit our website for the most complete, updated trip list and other paddling links and information: http://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/river-touring-section
INSTRUCTIONAL CLINICS
RTS offers instructional clinics for a nominal fee, taught by skilled volunteer instructors. Clinic sizes are limited to maintain low student-to-instructor ratios, so reserve your spot early. Fees are due in advance and are non-refundable unless the clinic is cancelled. RTS whitewater clinics are for reasonably experienced river paddlers who want to learn or improve their whitewater paddling and safety skills. Additional canoe and kayak clinics are offered for those new to paddling or interested in improving their river paddling skills.
MOVING WATER KAYAK CLINICS
June 12, 16 and/or 20 and Adult/Child Class on June 18 Bark R. Class I
Clinic Fee: $20 per adult per day. River reading, strokes and boat maneuvering will be taught for kayakers who are already comfortable paddling on lakes. Safety and equipment will be covered as needed. Kayak and properly fitting life jacket required. Registration Contact/Leader: Kasy Culbertson: 608-222-0746, kayaker.kasy@gmail.com.
MOVING WATER CANOE CLINIC
June 23 Koshkonong or Badfish Creek near Madison Class I.
Clinic Fee: $20 per person. Confident on lakes, but not ready for rivers? Then this canoe clinic is for you. We’ll review the basic strokes—draws, pry’s, sweeps, forward, back and J. We’ll discuss safety, reading water, and maneuvers; ferries, side slips, and eddy turns. Then we’ll practice these skills as we canoe Badfish Creek or Koshkonong Creek. Registration Contact/Leader: Carl Zimm: beampowered-tetrode@yahoo.com, 608-246-0485.
RIVER SAFETY AND RESCUE CLINIC
Aug 25-26. Red R. Class l-ll; Car Camp.
Clinic Fee: $40/person plus camping fees. Limited to 10 people. Learn river safety and beginning rescue techniques for boats and swimmers through active instruction and practice; including use of ropes, river swimming/crossing, strainers, and managing rescue scenarios. Become familiar with self-rescue. Requires swimming and moderate physical activity. Recommended to all who might lead paddling trips, including experienced leaders wishing to retrain. Registration deadline is July 25. Registration contact: Doug Robinson: dougknu@gmail.com, 608-334-8026.
PADDLING TRIPS
Visit: http://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/river-touring-section/trips for additional trip listings.
June 9-10 Mecan R. Class I; Car Camp. The Mecan is a premium trout stream with crystal clear water. It maintains a steady current and can require precise maneuvering around narrow, tight bends or dead fall. We will paddle a section above Germania Marsh on Saturday and below the marsh on Sunday. Come to enjoy this beautiful river and learn about the impacts of irrigation and proposed bottled water facilities. Contact: Leo Hummel: 608-322-7014, dhummel@centurytel.net.
June 9-10 Pike R. & Wolf R. Class II+ Car Camp. Practice whitewater skills from the recent clinics before they get rusty. Or just come to enjoy these Wild & Scenic Rivers. The Pike on Saturday; Section 2 of the Wolf on Sunday. Contact: Phillip Johnsrud: 715-572-9884, johnsrudp@tds.net.
June 22-24 Wolf and nearby rivers; Class II; Women-Only Car Camp. Have fun; build skills, confidence and sense of community among women paddlers. Optional gentle morning yoga and music around the evening campfire. Fri afternoon (optional): review skills, wet exits and strokes on a nearby lake. Contact: Mari Gasiorowicz: mgasiorowicz@gmail.com or 608/512-7394. Co-leader: Carol Olson.
July 14-15 Black R. Quietwater; Family Canoe-Camp. This favorite kid-friendly paddling trip is offered to encourage young families, families with kids and the young-at-heart to join us on the water. We’ll take it slow, stop to play/explore as frequently as desired, cook-out and sleep in tents on a sandbar, and engage in creative outdoor play. Contact: Kevin or Carol Olson: 608-963-2678, olsonfam44@centurytel.net. Co-leaders: Pat and Bobbie Wilson.
Jul 23-?? Montana Paddle & Hike; Class II-III; Car Camp. Join experienced paddlers on some classic whitewater rivers in Montana. The trip will be flexible to meet the needs and skills of participants. Paddlers must feel comfortable on rivers like the Wolf Section III. Join us for all or part of this trip. Contact: Phillip Johnsrud: 715-572-9884, johnsrudp@tds.net.
Aug. 18-19 Flambeau R. Class II; Canoe Camp. Refresh your soul on the Flambeau R. by participating on a trip that has become one of our finest traditions. Learn how healthy state forests are important for protecting water quality. Contact: Rich Krieg: 920-660-3557, richkrieg@new.rr.com or Dale Dean: 608-302-5744, daleink55@gmail.com.
Sept. 1 Wolf R. Class ll-lll; Day Trip. Join us on a river where wildlife and rocky rapids abound. If we are lucky, we will see deer, eagles, ducks or otters. Contact: Marianne McEvilly: 715-250-3891, rivermouse369@yahoo.com.
Sept. 7-9 Namekagon R. Class I; Car Camp. Beginner and experienced paddlers welcome! Paddle a section of the Namekagon, which is designated as a part of the 200 mile St. Croix National Wild & Scenic Riverway and National Park. This is a great entry-level trip. Canoes and recreational kayaks 10’ and longer will work well on this river. Enjoy great scenery and wildlife. For those able to paddle on Friday, we’ll do a section before setting up camp. Others may join us on Friday night or Saturday morning. Contact: Sue O’Brien: 507-858-5290 or sueob1@gmail.com. Co-leader : Carol Brewton.
Sept. 14-18 Boundary Waters mini trip; Quietwater with portages; Canoe Camp. Spend four nights in the BWCA during the early fall. Probably no swimming, but fewer crowds and beautiful fall colors. If others interested in staying longer, may extend trip a day or two. Expect wide variations in weather, from warm to possible snow! Learn about efforts to restrict proposed mining adjacent to the BWCA. We will travel to two different campsites down the Kawishiwi River. Contact: Katy Golden 414-378-1053 katyrenny@yahoo.com.
Sept. 16 Badfish Creek Class I; Day Trip. Badfish Creek meanders, welcoming shorter boats. The creek has twice the speed of current typical of the area because of the effluent from the state of the art Madison wastewater plant. Come see how the water starts out clearer from this highly regulated effluent and gets murkier from less regulated farmland runoff as we go downstream. Contact: Carl Zimm: beampowered-tetrode@yahoo.com, 608-246-0485.
Sept. 22-23 NE WI Rivers (Pike, Red or Wolf, depending on water levels ) Class II-II+ Car Camp. Contact: Richard Betz: richard.betz@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-334-4362. Co-leader: Kasy Culbertson.
Sept. 29-30 Kickapoo R. Quietwater; Car Camp. This narrow river winds through the heart of Wisconsin’s driftless area. Perfect river to practice your moving water skills or just enjoy the tall sandstone cliffs, Great Blue Heron and other natural delights. Paddle one or both days. Group Camp C reserved at Wildcat Mt. State Park Friday and Saturday nights. Contact: Carol Olson: olsonfam44@centurytel.net or 608-963-2688 or Meg Nelson: prairiesmoke2@gmail.com.
Oct. 27-28 Wolf R. Class II+ Car Camp. Annual Halloween Trip. We’ll paddle Section 3 of this wild, scenic river on Saturday and Section 2 on Sunday. Wet/dry suit required. Potluck dinner on Sat. night. Contact: Phillip Johnsrud: 715-572-9884, johnsrudp@tds.net.
RTS Annual Meeting. January 12, 2019. 11 AM to ~3 PM. LOCATION: First United Methodist Church, 615 Broadway St, Baraboo, WI. Potluck at noon, followed by business meeting, trip list formation and slideshow/videos of 2017 trips. Advance registration not required. For details, contact: Kevin Olson: 608-963-2678, olsonfam44@centurytel.net
Jan. 28-Feb. 8, 2019 Florida Rivers Class I+ Car Camp. Take a break from winter and enjoy the unique flora and fauna of Florida’s rivers. Occasional small rapids, deadfall hazards, and up-river paddling. Space limited and advance campground reservations required, so inquire early. Contact: Kevin & Carol Olson: 608-963-2678, olsonfam44@centurytel.net. Co-leader: Katy Golden.
Questions/Comments? Please visit our website or contact Kevin Olson, RTS Chair: 608-963-2678, olsonfam44@centurytel.net
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
General Trip & Clinic Participant Requirements (see RTS website for details). Preregistration is required for all trips and clinics. Contact the person listed for each trip/clinic to obtain details, determine if you have the abilities and equipment needed for the trip, and to register. Participants are responsible for providing their own boats and gear, whether owned, borrowed or rented. Boats and gear must be appropriate for the type of trip planned. This includes a properly fitted PFD (life-jacket) on all trips and a helmet, flotation (and spray skirt for kayaks) on whitewater trips. Food, lodging and transportation are also typically the participant’s responsibility, although we can help identify people who need rides and who have space in their cars. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver prior to the trip or clinic and to abide by decisions made by the trip leaders. Parents/guardians must sign for anyone under age 18. Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the water. Non-paddlers are not allowed on the water without permission of the trip leader. Pets are not allowed unless the trip description/leader specifies otherwise. |
International Scale of River Rating Difficulty Temperatures below 50˚ F typically increase a rating to the next higher level.
Class I: Moving water with few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions. Class II: Easy rapids with waves up to 3 ft. and wide clear channels that are obvious Class III: Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow passages that can require complex maneuvering. May require some scouting from shore. Class IV: Long, difficult rapids and constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scout from shore often necessary and conditions make rescue difficult. Canoeists and kayakers should have the ability to roll/ self-rescue. Classes V and VI: RTS does not offer trips at these levels. |