Feature Feature: Widowmaker

Highlights:

• Chute with a small drop

• Boils and strong eddy lines

• Can be retentive in certain flow conditions

Location/Access

Widowmaker is the very first feature on the Upper Kananaskis River, located directly at the aptly named Widowmaker parking lot. It marks the traditional starting point for most downriver runs.

Paddlers can put in above the feature by at the base of the rocky outcrop (river right), or by seal-launching down the side of it. Spectators can get a great view from the riverside trail and rocky bluffs at the put-in.

Portage route

Paddlers may choose to put in below Widowmaker, skipping the rapid entirely.

Eddys/Scouting/Spotting/info

A large upriver eddy (river left) allows for setup with a good view of the rapids, but contains some current. The massive eddy (river right) just below WM is a great place to practice your rolls, or put your self back together after being bucked by WM. WM can be easily scouted from the top of the rocky outcrop river right.

If capsized, paddlers should aim to swim river right toward the large eddy.

The large eddy below and relevantly long distance to the next feature makes it a great place to learn to navigate this class of feature.

KanFest Events at This Feature

All downriver events begin here, including the Ball Race.

• Advanced heats start above Widowmaker.

• Beginner heats, and the ball race, start below widowmaker.

  
  

Other Notes

Stories vary, some say loggers packed explosives into the rocky outcrop to blast through log jams, creating a “widowmaker" sized explosion. Others say the name came from the danger of having to walk out onto jammed logs to break them free. Either way, its generally agreed that his feature was originally named by loggers working in the Kananaskis region.

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