A Weekend in Galloway

Mike H, Brian, John H, Mark MC Pete B, Sten and Rob H set off Friday morning. after dumping some kit at our accommodation we headed to the Nith which, despite having had no rain for the week was still flowing on low about 0.6 on the gauge.

Realistically it was the only choice, she handed to Sanquhar to add an extra 6km to the usual run. The first km ran at grade 2 with the odd section of 3.The day and rapids passed without incident until the jaws of Nith had a meal of one plastic jelly baby.

The aftermath was soon sorted just before a river-wide strainer that required portage

The Galloway arms supply food and drinks. Not much choice for the Morrow, Ness Glen in the morning followed by the usual run on the Nith

It is always worth a walk since the narrow steep boulder-filled dam release of 2 cumec often has trees!

Mike, Sten and Rob helped clear the obstructions whilst the rest paddled.

A shuttle to the Nith for a repeat of the usual run. Again all went smoothly until just above Jaws of Nith,

Rob caught a — well a rock and boil caught him. After a missed roll, mike was there, for an Eskimo Rescue, but before rob could pull up, the flow took us over the drop, Mike backwards, Rob inverted. amazingly Rob held on and flicked himself back up after padding through the stopper. along with his paddle.

Sunday was spent on mountain bikes in Mabie Forest or a tour of rivers on road bikes

Mike H

A bimble up the Kent

Thursday 23rd February

On a surprisingly sunny day for February, a group of 6 of us (Julian, Giles, Barry, Cameron, Eric and MikeH) met up at Arnside a couple of hours before high water. Mike gave us a detailed briefing as we were all first timers chasing the tide up through the viaduct.

As the water rushed up towards us there was an urgency in Mike’s instructions – “get on the water – now!”

The ‘bimble’ we had been promised started with a not bimble through the viaduct. We needed to be on the water soonest before the waves under the viaduct built. – “Set up well left, aim for the green tongue in the middle and paddle, paddle, paddle”. The speed of approach surprised everyone (except Mike!) and once through the quite large waves coming off the viaduct and the choppy water downstream certainly needed plenty of paddle, paddle, paddle. One of us went for a dip, but fortunately Giles soon came to the rescue.

The rest of the trip was far more relaxed. We weaved our way around the sandbanks all the way up to Levens Hall, enjoyed a spot of lunch, and returned with a slow flow. A good day had by all. First sun cream of the season.

Thanks to Mike for putting the trip on and keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.

Leven

Saturday 25th February

Five of us on the Leven today at a great fun level of 0.98-0.97. Three and a half hours of playing on every wave. Great team work at the tricky bits: Backbarrow and the tree passage besides Fisherman’s Island so we managed without any mishaps. The passage beside the tree trunk looks feasible for future visits: we mostly tried to head right, through a nick in the rock barrier, before the tree, with middling success.  

Thanks to all for joining me: Ian Mc, Paul S, Pete R and Dunc G

Rachel 

Pete says: Don’t accept any of his excuses for it being a long way from home as we met a team from Coventry on the river, who were doing it as a day trip!

Ravenglass Ramble

Tuesday 21st Feb

A colourful collection of ten sea kayaks and one plastic racing surf ski brightened a dull and misty Ravenglass beach as people gathered to explore the estuary under the expert eye of our guide for the day, Annette Morris. Annette organised the annual Ravenglass SeaQuest orienteering challenge for a number of years and so has an intimate knowledge of every twist and turn of the of the lower Esk, Mite and Irt rivers that feed into the lagoon.

The curlews were calling as we set off on a rapidly rising spring tide from Ravenglass towards the Esk estuary. Knots and oystercatchers were spotted in flight and a seal-shaped piece of flotsam even caused some momentary excitement. The speed of the incoming tide could be felt as we were swept under Eskmeals viaduct and a few of us paused to practice our ferry gliding. Despite the grey conditions, we had good views of Muncaster Castle, perched high on the wooded escarpment and St John’s Church sitting low on the opposite bank at Waberthwaite. The river narrowed as we wove our way upstream and under the A595 as far as Hinning House Farm bridge, where a convenient lunch stop was found on the golf course. The water continued to rise around us but the berm around the green kept us and our craft dry until we ‘putt’ to sea again. Several boats tried to cut across the now flooded meanders but ended up beached (or is it grassed, Nicola?) and dragging their boats to deeper water. Progress was fast on the ebbing tide, however, and we soon found ourselves back in the open lagoon where the wind had freshened and the mist had turned to rain.

There was just time for a short paddle up the Mite to the mini-lagoon beyond the railway bridge before heading back to Ravenglass and the delights of the La’al Ratty railway café. We had the place to ourselves until the steam train pulled in with its load of half-term families and we beat a hasty retreat! Looking out from the road to the two catamarans we had cheekily paddled under less than an hour before sitting high and dry on the mud, it was easy to appreciate the nine-metre tidal range we had enjoyed today.

Thanks again to Annette Morris for planning the trip and overall organiser Mike Sunderland for another fun and sociable mid-week paddle where destinations range from sea to lake, estuary to river, and now a not-so-tropical lagoon!

Gary

Lower Irthing – Easy River

Wednesday 22/02/23

Google maps was required to work out what we had signed up for on this trip.  Happily Tom, Grahame, Izzy, Clare, Robin, Eric, Mike and myself all found ourselves on the same bridge at the same time somewhere east of Carlisle.  Leaving a shuttle car beside the narrow river in a small sandstone gorge we travelled 5 miles further east to a more impressive bridge at Lanercost in order to paddle 10 miles back.  The bridge close to the medieval Priory was not built by Monks but by four local masons in 1724 because earlier versions kept getting washed away. 

We soon found big floods were still a thing as big tree trunks littered the channel, turning a pleasant Grade 1/2 river into a more challenging slalom challenge.  A couple of minor mishaps, a lost hat and two portages later a lunch spot was reached.  Refreshed, the river seemed wider with fewer obstacles, some nice low red sandstone cliffs and interesting shingle rapids. 

The river gauge was at 0.47m, providing just enough depth and a useful current to complete the journey in four hours paddling.  An enjoyable day was  finished off properly with hot drinks and substantial cakes at a Sally’s Cafe in Warwick Bridge.  Many thanks to Mike for putting on an exploration of a lesser known river in fine conditions for experts and improvers alike.

Julian

More Bore

Monday 21st February

The Barrow tide tables predicted a 9.83m high tide at 12:06. Seven LCC members met at 08:30 to set off out into the estuary at 09:50 around three and a quarter hours before high water Barrow. Five of us were in sea kayaks and there were two using river boats.

It was a dull and misty morning so non of the spectacular view of the southern fells. We paddled drifted and chatted our way out with little or no interference from the wind that had been in the forecast.

Bang on time we spotted the bore at 10:05 two hours before high water. When it got to us it was a brown wave breaking only at the edges of the channel. This was fine for the sea kayaks to catch a ride but not so good for the river boats which the wave passed beneath.

The bore was more gentle than it sometimes can be, only breaking at the top making it easier to surf. It was also fairly consistent only petering out briefly on two occasions but maintaining a good flow making it possible to stay near the front of the tide ready for it to reform. It tried twice to tempt us down dead end channels, we all managed to avoid those, but only just.

About half an  hour into our ride we spotted someone with a surf board waiting in the channel. He managed to catch a ride stand up a couple of times. When he came off the wave he ran along the sand to catch the it again.

The deeper pool of water in the  Newbarns Bay area saw an end to the wave at around 10:45. We manage a 40 minute ride on this amazing local tidal phenomenon.

Sten

Lune from Beckfoot to Killington Bridge.

19th February

Surprisingly, considering the lack of rain, we had plenty of water for our run on the Lune from Beckfoot to Killington Bridge.  Running at a nice 0.7 ish, an almost perfect level.  Today’s plan was to practice hitting tricky eddies and moving around the river using river features rather than brute force.  The Lune provided loads of eddies and loads of potential for practice.

Surfing was particularly good today, with several easy surf waves and little consequence.  Paul was finding his feet again in his old school playboat.  Dan was cursing his battle cruiser watching.  I had a bit of a play trying tailies in the Ripper, but quickly got tired!

All very fun and uneventful down to the strid.  I’m always very cautious on the strid.  It’s an awkward place to chase boats.  We inspected and Pete went first, getting the perfect line through, which we was very happy about.  I paddled down with my nose in the air and tail under water, as you do in a Ripper.  Everyone made it through smoothly.  Rachel had kindly been on throw bag duty, with her camera at the ready, and got some cracking pictures.

We were soon on our way with much playing about to be had still.  I managed to tip in doing a tailie, getting my paddle wedged on something under the water (possibly a bit of tree?).  Had to let go of it with one hand and shuffle about quite a bit but got it free.  Failed the first roll as the paddle was back to front.  Thankfully I kept it together and managed the roll 2nd time round.  It’s amazing how something completely innocuous can turn into a mini drama so easily.

Onward to the get out, and 3 hours on a short section of the Lune was universally enjoyed.  Great confidence booster and good practice.

Paddlers: Rachel, Pete R, Sten, Simon, Paul S, Mark G, Dan P

Simon

The Irthing – just kept on giving

Advanced river trip 18/02/23

Nice to wake up and see a selection of rivers with water.

Which one to go to, 🤔 .

With a group of four, we opted for a fairly long journey up to the Irthing. Having only done this river once before, my memory of it was blurry at best. Continuous grade 3 then easing off I think. 🧐 Anyway it was high and still raining so we would need to be focused on it.

The section most commonly run is from below Crammel Linn falls to Gilsland, but as it was a long drive we thought we’d add another 10k on down to Lanercost.

Arriving at the egress for the lower section the river looked swollen and brown and fast. Let’s do the top section first we all decided and if we want to we can re- shuttle to do the next bit.

So onto the put in below the falls and with a bit of larking about and Mike deciding it was quicker to let his boat make its own way down the steep banking we we’re ready for the off.

The water was moving fast so staying in the middle of the river away from the trees and occasional rock face was essential. The problem is there were lots of standing waves and stoppers in the middle and manoeuvring around these and other obstacles called for quick decision-making well in advance. Stopping to inspect wherever there was an event horizon proved key throughout the day.

The top section was completed in 40 minutes which gives you some idea of the speed.

One hour exactly had us shuttled fed and watered and back on the water.

The book describes the bottom section as grade 2 with a couple of grade 3+ bits. I wasn’t sure what to expect, would it be a bit of a drag, not worth doing ? Far from it, it was a blast and kept you entertained right to the end.

We all agreed that it was worth the effort and a river that just kept on giving.

As it was so late we decided a stop off at Tebay services for a coffee and cake our best option. Definitely one to go back to, especially when it’s flowing well.

First section level was 0.61 on and 0.58 off Lower section level was 0.56 on and 0.53 off

Paddlers Mike H, Duncan, Dan and myself. Mark M

Kent, Staveley to Burneside

19th February

River levels were all over the place; the Lune was still too high, the Greta too low, and there were only three of us. So we went for the Upper Kent, Scroggs Weir to Burneside because the level looked ok (even tho’ the gauge said empty) and two us us had never done it.

It all went very well; lots of rocks to steer round, and a few to bump into, (well, quite  a lot, actually), but the wind had dropped, there was a hint of sunshine, and it wasn’t crowded. We enjoyed the “new” rapid where Bowston Weir used to be, (apart from Phil, who decided to swim it to get maximum value), and portaged Cowan Head rapid and the Cropper’s weir outside Burneside. 

Definitely one to do again, but better with the level above 0.5

PhilC

Lower Rawthey

17th February

Five of us ran the lower section of the Rawthey from just outside Sedbergh down to the Lune confluence. There had been rain overnight – hurray – and the EA guage said the level was low/scrape, so we were confident it would be a good, steady trip for Improvers, exactly as it said on the tin.

However, a quick look at the first weir said differently; it was running like a train, with a strong towback, so we portaged river left. After that it was a pretty quick trip through the first few rapids to the S-bends, where a few of us decided to take a swim. We picked up the pieces, and then embarked on the next section down to the Weir before the footbridge.

We’d learned caution, so spent a long time inspecting and plotting a cunning route which avoided the broken weir which was washed out, and then cutting hard left under the footbridge. Then on down through lots of standing wave trains to Railway Falls. We inspected it, but it was never going to be on our menu for the day, so another rapid portage. Then down past the last rapid, under the road bridge and home. We checked the gauge again and realised it had gone up to a healthy medium. If there’s a lesson it’s probably trust the evidence of your eyes rather than what the internet says!

PhilC