5:39:01 PM EST
River Dart weekend 2-3 February
Upper Dart, Saturday: when we got on the water we split into 2 groups: Phil, Matt, Alan, Haydn, Hywel; and Del, Nathan, Tom, and Adam. It was low water but Tom capsized twice in the first 200 yards which was one reason why we thought two groups would be better than one. (It was Tom's first river trip, other than Hurley weir!). The main feature of the trip wa sthat Phil had a bad hangover so that he looked white and various shades of green at various points on the trip. He nevertheless managed to make a video:
Lower Dart, Sunday: I don't have details of who paddled. The main highlight unfortunately was that Jordan had to be taken to hospital with a head wound and possible concussion. Luckily, they glued his head back on and he's reported as being well again.
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6:41:23 PM EST
Usk, Saturday 5 January 2008
River Usk, Tal-y-bont to Llangynidr
Party: Andy and Ieuan, Emlyn, Nick B, Nick T, Paul Mac, John N., me (Hywel), Owain and Euros. We were nearly joined by Mark who'd driven down from north Wales after a night shift - but who'd been expecting to paddle the lower Taff. John O' was a more distant miss, having failed to read the e-mails' joining instructions to meet at 9.30 at Asda, a phone call to him at 9.40 found he'd just got up.
We got on the water about 12. Emlyn saw something interesting on the river bed at the first eddy line at about 20 seconds past 12 but failed to roll back up and swam. The water was medium high and we had nice weather for the first couple of miles, followed by a mile of rain, which got us to Mill Falls.
We took our usual route river left. I went first and took an eddy. The plan was for Paul Mac to follow me, which he did, but not to the eddy. He found a much more adventurous route down, sailing past me in the eddy and closely inspecting several rocks middish river before successfully breaking out at the bottom. Others came down well, including Ieuan on his first run of this river. Andy was to be last down and I think he visited some of the same rocks as Paul, but paying the bottom of them closer attention (cutting his knuckles and getting a few scrapes on his head to prove it). An attempted roll or two failed and he eventually swam.
Thereafter it was plain sailing, bar a couple of technical swims by Owain falling back into the river when getting out of his boat, and Euros rolling 4 times when getting caught out in his surfing attempts.
By about 2.30 we were back at the cars. John N and Nick T left us but the rest of us went for a pleasant pint in the Star, another enjoyable trip completed.
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5:11:46 PM EST
Ogwr Fawr, Sunday 30 Dec
Report from Phil:
"Today's river was the Ogwr Fawr the 7 paddlers were;
Phil D
Dave C
Red Nick
Blue Nick
Antlers Emlyn
Ben M
Paul M
It was a brand new river for all the paddlers although
Red Nick had walked
part of the river and was able to offer valuable
advice. The get in was at
Blackhill on the Ogwr Fach which flowed into the main
river just past a
small drop.
The river promised a good run when we shortly came
upon a 10ft slide.
The river had approx 20 small weirs some more
technical than others. Because
the level was on the low side I had a look at playing
in a small sticky pour
over. A good practice for setting an edge and skulling
for support. All the
paddlers had a go except the 2 Nicks and Emlyn. Red
Nick went next and set a
great edge... then lost his paddle... capsized... and
then held on till
support came. Blue Nick was then persuaded to have a
go... and after making
it out without with a massive grin Emlyn said "no
way".
Coffee break was taken while we scouted the boxed in
weir from the bank.
Myself and Dave ran it first and had a surf in the
first drop, took the 2nd
drop then waited for the rest of the group who saddled
up after watching
while giving safety. Everyone ran the boxed weir
safely and in control.
More drops followed and we were nearly at the get out
when a giant squid (or
was it a rock) attacked my boat forcing a
roll-in-anger.
No swimmers and a fabulous time was had by all.
Leading an unknown river was
an exhilarating and exciting experience.
Phil D"
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5:07:38 PM EST
River Wye, Sat 29 December
The team: Matt, Dave, Mark, Adam, John O', John C, Euros, Owain and me (Hywel).
The river: Wye, from Dernol to Rhayadr (Rhaeadr Gwy in Welsh which as you may have forgotten means Waterfall of the Wye). UK River Guide description:http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/wyeupper.htm
Water level: pretty high. According to John O', the Environment Agency said 1.17m on the gauge at 06.00 that morning.
Although we left Abercynon at 9.00 we didn't get on the water until after 12. The water speed then meant a fairly quick trip, over by around 14.15 (followed by a visit to the Lamb and Flag, we got home around 17.15).
Memorable events:
1. not recognising the Letterbox (where I got back-flipped and stuck in the slot before swimming on my last trip a couple of years ago, in very low water). High water meant it merged with the drop on river right.
2. Owain took a swim on one of the falls.
3. Euros rolled in anger on a river for the first time- twice, most impressively when caught in the stopper just above Town Falls.
4. Me, the only fool to try the main drop at Town Falls, capsizing and eventually swimming as my leg lost its grip on my third attempt at a reverse screw roll.
An exhilarating trip, excellent fun. Thanks to all participants.
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3:15:37 PM EST
Christmas Eve on the Upper Taff
We had a nice paddle, though the Christmas cake at Matt's at the end was the high point as the water was so low.
Here's a picture of us at the put-in, looking forward to the cake:
The following link takes you to a Google map showing trip waymarks:
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5:49:16 PM EST
Upper Taff in near flood, Friday 6 Dec
An account from John O'C:
"On Friday I went on the Taff with two Kayakers Phill & Dave C (Matt had to lay some thing, well that's what he said!)
At the put in at Quakers Yard the high water was grade 5 the tree was cpmletly under the water
I assume it was only a few yards at this grade I was wrong It lasted about 80yards, I was thinking this is not the place for a 16ft open, the rest of the rive was continues grade 3 with huge waves coming at you from all directions I have never see water like it. It made the Trweryn top section look like child's play
Some waves had to be over 6 ft No one stopped to play a swim would be very long
Then came to the grave yard (grade 5) it was huge water and rocks every where the others took the drop ion the centre of the river I arrived safely
I went down the LHS to avoid the drop which I was not confidant I could make, and if I did I would be full of water. All was going well I now had to move into the centre of the river to avoid a tree
I knew there was a 20ft wide wave across part of the river and I tried my best to get past it. the boat was at a angle and the long and short of it is I swam
The boys were waiting for me after this section and they rescued me and then the boat
My dry suite is in for repair so I was very damp
Then were on more features after the grave yard, just grade 3 with huge waves coming at you from all directions.
We were off the water before 3:30
It was a paddle I will remember, and I am glad I did it and survived, would I do it again NO not at this level
KNOW WHEN YOU'RE LUCKY
Thank you
John O'Connell"
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5:47:08 PM EST
Sennybridge- Aberbrân on the Usk Sat 1 Dec
Just to record a trip. Fairly low water, quite fine weather. Though a bit chilly, not bad for Aberbrân. We were: Matt and his mate Adam, Dave C, John C., Paul and Ben, Andy and Josh, me (Hywel) and Euros.
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