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All of the routes on this site have four difficulty ratings
assigned to them:
These ratings are intended to
give site users a feel for the amount of expertise and technical
ability needed to safely paddle the route. It is important
to understand these ratings, and what they mean to you as you look
for a potential trip. Click the links above to get an
explanation of the ratings.
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| Lake
Rating |
These ratings are a reflection of the degree of difficulty of
travel on open bodies of water such as lakes and wide rivers.
Novice
The easiest level. It means that there are few if any safety
problems, that lakes are mainly sheltered and even brisk winds
will not generate dangerously high waves. Landing spots and
sheltered areas are numerous, and paddlers are seldom wind-bound.
Intermediate
Safety problems can be a concern, but these concerns can be dealt
with. This rating applies to bodies of water exposed enough that
winds may cause waves capable of swamping and open canoe. Landing
spots and sheltered areas are usually available. Paddlers may be
wind-bound for parts of some days, or occasionally for full days.
Weather is generally predictable.
Advanced
The most difficult level. Safety problems are frequent and
unavoidable, and the wind often generates waves capable of
swamping an open canoe. Landings or sheltered areas may be
infrequent, and paddlers are often wind-bound for a day or longer.
This type of body of water may be subject to sudden, unpredictable
and violent changes in weather.
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| River
Rating |
This is an indication of the difficulty of river travel. It is not
a reflection of the difficulty of whitewater. There are many
routes on this site which contain difficult rapids which could be
paddled quite nicely by novice canoeists. This is because portages
are easily recognized and accessed. The river travel rating is
based upon the assumption that all whitewater will be portaged.
Novice
Portages are easily recognized and easy to reach because of
slow current. River bottoms are largely free of debris and other
obstructions. There is a single easily recognized channel for
navigation.
Intermediate
Portages are easy to recognize, but the approaches may
require maneuvering in moderate current. There may be sections of
river bottom and shore where debris or obstructions require
attention. There may be sections with two or more channels, but
the correct choice is generally easy to make.
Advanced
Portages may be difficult to recognize, and a high degree of
alertness is necessary since the approaches require maneuvering in
swift current. There may be long sections of river bottom or
shoreline where debris and obstructions require constant
attention. There may be sections with a maze of channels and the
correct choice may be difficult to make. There may be sections of
whitewater with no portages, requiring running or lining.
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| Portage
Rating |
This rating tells us how difficult the worst portages are along
the route.
Easy
The longest portage on the route is less than 1000 m in length and
the portages are in reasonable shape with good footing and gently
rolling terrain.
Moderate
There is at least one portage between 1000 m and 3000 m in length,
or some portages have steep slopes or sections with poor footing
(slippery, swampy or rocky).
Difficult
One or more of the portages is over 3000 m in length, or there are
extended sections which are steep, slippery or swampy.
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| Remoteness
Rating |
This is an indication of how far the route goes from
"civilization" and medical care.
Novice
A route which is never more than a half day's travel from
assistance.
Intermediate
The most remote section of the river may be up to a full day's
travel from assistance.
Advanced
A route which takes paddlers more than a full day's travel from
assistance. Special precautions and equipment may be required
because of the degree of isolation.
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