References to Merikartta's refer to a CD Merikartta sea map series produced by Karttakeskus.
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Puumala (77 km) Merikartta L, puumal77.mcd |
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Puumala (88 km) Merikartta L, puumal88.mcd |
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Puumala (104 km) Merikartta L, puumala1.mcd |
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Rantasalmi - National park of Linnansaari (97 km) Merikartta M, rantas97.mcd |
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Varkaus - National park of Linnansaari (88 km) Merikartta M, varkaus8.mcd |
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Kiiminkijoki (170 km) |
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Karkkilan kosket etc. Punelianjärvi - Saavajoki - Pyhäjärvi
- Karjaanjoki (Vanjoki) - Hiidenvesi |
Mäntyharju route (x km)
Date: 18.7 - 20.7.1992
Route: Ylä-Kuhanen, Suomenniemi - Verla, Jaala
Members: Otso Reunanen, Jytky
HW: A canoe
We paddled the route using a canoe, and to this day this trip has been the
only one that I have paddled with a canoe when the trip lasts more than one
day. The route followed mostly Mäntyharju lake system flowing towards river
Kymijoki.
On the route there was one dam (Pyhäkoski, Mäntyharju) and two hydroelectric
plants. The dam has nowadays been removed and replaced with manual usage
single chamber sluice like we later found out on Puulavesi trip. Carrying
paths exist around both hydroelectric plants, but that’s a small comfort
when you’re dragging fully loaded canoe for couple hundred meters to
downstream of the plant. The trip ended on upstream of
Verla hydro plants.
Päijänne eastside (x km)
Date: 26.6 - 27.6.1995
Route: Korpilahti - Sysmä
Members: Pasi Lehtonen, Jytky
HW: A dual cayak
We started the tour on quite late evenign and paddled only a short while
to a near by island, where we camped for the night.
First day proceeded with quite strong west wind. In the evening we
had a quite unwelcome surprise; our gear had got wet. This gave us a really
good lesson how important it is to have proper water tight equipment (we'd
used only plastic bags but they didn't last on the rough surface of the
cayak).
The second day went on in about same kind of weather as the first day.
On the afternoon we had some trouble from stenghtened west wind,
which caused suprisingly large waves on the east coast. First those waves
bent our rudder quite many times (we were able to straighten it quite well
despite the waves). Finally, when we were able to get away from the bigger
waves, we noticed that we didn't have a rudder anymore because of bolt
break.
We wobbled to a nearby docks, where we were able to get a new rudder -
thanks to a nice employee of Tielaitos - and so the journey continued.
We paddled next a little over ten kilometers in shelter of small islands,
but when we got back to open lake, we were able to paddle only a short while
before rudder bearers ruptured. After that misforture we decided to call it
off for that trip.
This trip gave a really good lesson of how strong material all components
of the rudder need to be made of (at least when paddling on open lakes or
seas). Originally the rudder was made of aluminium plate (width three mm)
and the second rudder made during the trip was of five mm aluminium plate.
Thou the second rudder was strong enough, then bearers gave in; made also of
aluminium. After this trip whole rudder mechanism was remade of stainless
steel and no problems have occured on any of the later trips (so far).
Päijänne westside, Jämsä - Lahti (x km)
Date: 5.7 - 8.7.1997
Route: Jämsä - Lahti
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Jytky
HW: A dual cayak
We started this trip from
Jämsä on rainy conditions with
thunder booming around us later in the evening. Following days did however
totally make that up. On the first evening we paddled only the end river
Jämsä to Tiirinselkä, where we camped for the night.
In the morning we continued towards west side of Judinsalonselkä from
where we took course to Tehinselkä. On this section there was quite
strong headwind, which used our stamina quite nicely. Since we weren't able
to find a camping place after couple hours search, our mood was getting a
little bit darker by the minute. All the bad mood was swept away when we
came near Iso-Aitasalo from where we found a suitable spot. This place
turned out to be a veneer based foundation on top of open rock with a
fence built around it. Since all the previous places we had looked had
either steep slopes or they were islands full of rocks, this place looked
like a heaven to us.
On the next morning our trip continued on bright daylight (not a single
cloud at sight) towards Kelvenne (part of national park of
Päijänne) and Pulkkilanharju, where we were able to replenish
our supplies. After that it was time for finding next place to sleep.
In the morning our course took us to
Vääksy, where we paddled to
a canal with a single flood-gate. After the canal there was a nice beach
so we decided to relax for couple of hours. Towards the evening we paddled
to Messilä, from where
on the morning we starting our last section towards
Lahti, where our trip ended.
Saimaa, Anttola (91 km)
Date: 20.7 - 22.7.1998
Route: Anttola - Rokansaari - Anttola
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: A cayak, a dual cayak
This trip started from Lakeistenranta in Anttola in a nice weather
but right on the first afternoon our journey was made a lot harder by a
thunderstorm, which gave us quite heavy upward chop. For the rest of the day
after the thunder we paddled in light rain but afterall we're able to reach
our destination before nightfall. On the following days the weather was nice
and no more any unwanted surprises.
On second day we padded to Rokansaari, which is located a little bit west of
Puumala, and we stayd there for a night. On the island we had a nice chance
to see fortifications done on the island during first world war.
Last paddling day had only a small misfortune; camping place marked on a
map appeared to be nowadays a pasture for cows so we decided not to stay
there since there were plenty of hours left for the day. In the end we
ended up paddling back to Lakeistenranta.
Merikartta L, anttola.mcd
Puulavesi (x km)
Date: 11.8 - 14.8.1999
Route: Puulavesi - Hirvensalmi - Mäntyharju - Ylä-Kuhanen
Members: Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: A dual cayak
Starting point was in Läsänkoski (Lat. 61° 54' 25",
Long. 26° 54' 15"), basicly in middle of a stream, from where we
paddled towards Eteläselkä until it was already dark. Since
visibility started to get quite low, we decided to camp for the night on
a small island with white pile of rocks on it as a beacon.
On the morning paddling continued on the same direction as day before, from
where we turned to west towards south side of Karttuunselkä.
From there we continued to Suonsalmi where we turned to south on our way
to Hirvensalmi.
When approuching Hirvensalmi, the day was starting to end, so we decided
to camp on a Etuniemi camping area just north of Hirvensalmi.
Next day we paddled by Hirvensalmi on our way to Kissakoski hydroplant.
We needed to carry the cayak on the other side of the plant, but luckily
we didn't have more than few hundred meters to carry. From Kissakoski our
route took us through Vahvajärvi and Lahnavesi to
Vihantasalmi.
We stayd a night over there before paddling to Pyhäkoski, were previously
existed submerged weir had been replaced with a single sluice gate. Eventhough
the sluice isn't so big it can easily fit any regular outboard motorboat.
From there we continued to Mäntyharju
and along Kallavesi to our destination - Ylä-Kuhanen.
Saimaa, Kerma - Kolovesi national park (63 km)
Date: 30.7 - 1.8.2000
Route: Kerma - Kolovesi - Kerma
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: A cayak and a dual cayak
On this trip we had same hardware as we had last time when we were on
Saimaa, a cayak and a dual cayak. This way we could alternate who could be
alone in the cayak. As a starting point we had chosen Kerma channel close
to Heinävesi.
From there we paddled to Pitkäsaari, located north of Mäntysalo.
Pitkäsaari has a nice camping site with quite sheltered surroundings.
From this site we started our tour around Kolovesi national park all the way
to Vaajasalo. Since whole Kolovesi area is restricted for motorboats, one
could enjoy nature to the fullest. On evening we stopped by on Lapinniemi
camping site, where we sat around fire place with dutch, german and swiss
travellers who had there by canoes. Later on the night we paddled back to
our camping site on Pitkäsaari.
On next morning it was time to head back to our starting point, the Kerma
channel. Between Kinkoselkä and Ruokovesi there's a small rapid so
I decided to check how easy it is to paddle a rapid upstream. Since that
try was successful also Markku and Harri decided to try the same with the
dual cayak. Other option was to go though sluice, but going upstream
was more exiting and a new experience.
On closing to Kerma channel we decided to use the sluice instead of going
up a rapid since we didn't have any helmets it wasn't worth of risking it.
Merikartta L, kolovesi.mcd
For more information, please check: http://www.metsa.fi/luo/kpuistot/kolovesi/index.htm
Vaikkojoki ()
Date: 22.7.2001 - 24.7.2001
Route: Vaikkojoki
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Hape, Jytky
HW: Two dual cayaks
Whole summer in Finland had been quite dry, so we inquired from locals
what's the water level and since it appeared to be quite low, we decided
to start our trip from a little bit further down river than we had
originally thought. Starting point was set to Jokiniemi on north side of
Kajoonjärvk (Lat.63° 09' 05", Long. 28° 53' 53"),
from where after a short paddling we ended up to lake Liete (Lietukka). Over
there we found a nice camping place where we stayed for the night.
On the next morning we started down the river Vaikko shooting along the way
through around twenty rapids. Along the river there were quite many nice
camping places, unfortunately we had time to stay there only one more night
before paddling to village Retunen where our trip ended. For the evening we
drove to Kuopio to relax and to go through events of this trip.
For more info, please check: http://www.vaikko.net/
Ruunaa, Lieksajoki
Date: 2.8 - 4.8.2002
Route: Lieksajoki - Nurmijärvi, Lieksa
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Hape, Jytky<
HW: Four cayaks
This trip differed from previous paddling trips in quite many ways:
we were paddling with rented cayaks and each of us had his own cayak.
Trip started close to Pankakoski and right after one rapid we were
on our first camping site. On the next morning straight from the shore
we had first of that day's rapids - Haapavitja - before us. At one point
while going down the rapid we took hold of some rocks near the shore so
that we could watch some streamboats going through the rapid. Stream took
us nicely all the way to Neitijärvi.
After Neitijärvi we came to Neitikoskelle, were had a chance to
practice saving a member of our team, since he had flipped over
after the stoppers (about two meter high) due to quite strong undercurrent.
Luckily all it took to get all the water out of the cayak and after that
we were able to continue our trip towards rapids Kattilakoski, Murrookoski'
and Siikakoski. After these rapids it was already noon so it meant we needed
a break. After the break we continued along Pankasaari paddling route
to camping site at Niskalahti for the second night. Over there we met a nice
German couple, how had been hiking around Ruunaa area for the second time.
Once again on the morning we had a rapids to shoot, this time they were
Naarakoski and Käpykoski. Both of those rapids gave a really pleasent
experience with their almost S-shaped shapes.
Rest of the trip was half a slim river and half upstream Jongunjoki towards
Nurmijärvi in Lieksa, where our trip ended.
For more information, please check: Paddling route of Ruunaa and Paddling route of Pankasaari
Mäntyharju route ()
Date: 8.8. - 10.8.2003
Route: Ylä-Kuhanen, Suomenniemi - Voikoski
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: A cayak and a dual cayak
We started from the same point as I did previously on Mäntyharju
route - from Ylä-Kuhanen - on early evening and paddling all evening to
Puukonvuori camping site in Kallavesi (lat=61.395893941, lon=27.114642377).
On morning course took us past Mäntyharju
to Pyhä sluice gate. After the sluice we took course to south to
Miekkakoski and to a camping site on Juolasvesi. We kept up quite nice pace
since there was a small storm closing in on us but luckily we landed before
it could reach us.
During the evening our we had a small thriller in front of us, since a party
on a motorboat had left from the camping site in a heavy wind, and shortly
after they had left their motor stopped running. Since they didn't have any
usable oars, they were just floating on the waves without any kind of
steering capability. Since we had only lightweight cayaks, we couldn't help
them, so all we could do was to call emergency service and follow up the
situation. After an hour another boat came to help them and they were taken
to safety. But still it left us wondering how the heck they left their home
port in the first place with such crappy equipment and without any safety
measures. Well, alcohol didn't have anything to do it, or did it;>.
Following morning came with bright sky and we started our way to Sarkavesi
and Voikoski. On our way there we kept a mandatory break on Haukkavuori,
from where there's a magnificent view quite far away. Rest of the way we
paddled with an easy pace reaching Voikoski on afternoon, where we lifted
cayaks on top of car and ended the tour.
We could have continued from Voikoski to Vuohijärvi (by carrying cayaks
for about six hundred meters past the hydroplant) and then by Verla to
Pyhäjärvi in Jaala. Since Pyhäjärvi is part of Kymijoki
water route, we could have continued either to Gulf of Finland or to north-west
towards Päijänne. Unfortunately our schedule didn't allow us continue
further. One thing I got to mention about Voikoski: why otherwise proper
cayak carriage path needs to be blocked with steel chain so that one can't
walk by it not to mention driving by car ? Well, who knows, mayby those
people haven't ever carried a fully loaded cayak for few hundred meters.
Maybe then they would understand why such items tend to upset you.
But in overall, I have to express my gratitude to Valkeala and Mäntyharju
communities for excellent camping possibilities along water ways as well as
for local boating societies for building and taking card of camping sites.
Saimaa, Sulkava (92 km)
Date: 6.7. - 9.7.2004
Route: Juva - Sulkava - Puumala
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: A cayak and a dual cayak
Starting point was on south end of Jukajärvi in
Juva where there was a submerged weir.
From there our course followed
Oravareitti. From Juva to Sulkava there's altogether two weirs and
one partly demolished flour mill, so in overall you need to carry cayaks
for about 250 meters. Unfortunately first two carrying places are of quite
poor either in up or down stream side but at least there's some kind of
places set up.
Oravareitti is quite low on water on end of summer, so possible paddling
period limits about end of June. There's actually one more obstacle on
the way, since for some low value turbine, a small bank has been built
to steer water to the turbine and there's just a small cap on the bank
where you can just barely fit through with a cayak (check
this).
There's quite nice amount of camping sites along the way, so it's quite
easy to fit proper passege for each day. From
Sulkava we continued towards an anchoring place in Linnavuori. That
place is absolute
worth of stopping since Linnavuori has 55 meters high standing cliff with
entrenchment from 12th century. From Linnavuori we continued to our
destination Puumala.
Väliväylä (20 km)
Date: 28.5.2005-29.5.2005
Route: Kannuskoski - Auvosenkoski
Members: Juha Virtala, Juho Jaakkola, Jytky
HW: Three cayaks
We started this trip right below the Kannuskoski power station
on a cloudless day with very heavy cross wind. On the first day
we went through three minor (class I) rapids, but since the water
level was extremely high, one of us manage to get his cayak on
top of a rock and as a result he flipped over. Luckily there was
a camping site within 200 meters downstream, so he was able to
dry up. After the drying session we paddled couple kilometers
to Taikinakoski where we stayed for night.
On sunday, we paddled to Tirva, where we had to carry cayaks past
an old mill. In overall this trip was quite nice start for this
summers paddling trips.
Nauvo (45 km)
Date: 28.-29.7.2005
Route: Around Nauvo island
Members: Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: Dual cayak
Starting point was Lomanauvo
camping site on western side of the
Nauvo island. We started to paddle
to north meaning to go around
the island clockwise. Right after we had started the trip, we
needed to cross a ferry route between two islands, Nauvo and
Korppoo. After that we shortly started to turn to east towards
town of Nauvo, where we had a short break. After that we paddled a
short while trying to find a suitable and not occupied camping
place. Finally we found one, and camped to rest for the night.
On morning we continued our trip and set our course towards an
island south of Nauvo. We had our lunch break sometime on afternoon
but soon after that break we noticed that there was something wrong
with our rudder. Closer examination revealed that one of the two
supporting rods had snapped thus causing the rudder to hang
somewhat sideways. The result of this was that we had wery limited
steering capability and since we didn't want to risk loosing
the whole rudder, we decided to turn back to the place were we
had left our car.
Ivalojoki (49 km)
Date: 29th June - 1st July, 2006
Route: Ivalojoki
Members: Harri Pihlajavesi, Markku Kestikievari, Jytky
HW: A cayak and a canoe
We started the trip from Kuttura, which is the most common starting point for canoe trips on river Ivalo (see description from here Ivalojoen melontareitin (70 km) reittiselostus). First day consisted of 11 rapids or streams ending to Ivalojoen Kultala. The whole day was quite cloudy, with gushy wind blowing from north thus making the weather quite cold in addition to the almost icy water splashing from rapids. After reaching Kultala we explored nearby sceneries from both sides of the river.
Second day started on much nicer conditions; sun was shining every once in a while and since our direction was now to east, the wind didn't feel so freaking cold anymore. We ended up going through something like 9 rapids/streams on this day but we didn't forget to stop to enjoy sceneries when possible (check for instance this nice photo ). We reached Louhijoki in the late afternoon, and we camped there for the night.
The last day was as sunny as it can be, almost no clouds at all. We went through five streams and one rapid (where we ended hitting one rock PRETTY badly) before reaching our stop just before Lappispola.
Finnish gulf (93 km)
Date: 27th - 30th July, 2007
Route: Kotka - Porvoo
Members: Markku Kestikievari, Harri Pihlajavesi, Jytky
HW: Dual kayak and a kayak
This year our trip started from small boat harbor of Lököre (N60 28.567 E26 44.961), little bit west of Kotka from where our voyage continued towards north cape of Munapirtti along the evening.
Second day started with going through some heavy grass, and we finally managed to get to clear water and thus out of an inlet. Next we were faced with Ahvenkoski straight with quite strong wind (about 13 m/s). Finally we made in to the safety of some small islands and our trip continued towards the nuclear plants in Loviisa and after those towards our target of the day: fortification of Svartholma.
Third day started on a nice weather, but during the afternoon thunder storm and heavy rain cheered up our trip. Target for the day was a small island on the northern side of Pellinki.
Fourth day target was to reach Porvoo, which we eventually did.
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