Lakes March 2014
Lake District report 14,15,16-03-2014
Paddlers
Ali,
Bill, Trevor, Rob, Adam, Keith, Chucky, Norm, Zaf, Sandy, Brian
Ali,
Bill, Trevor, Keith, Chucky, Norm, Zaf, decided to take the day off work and
head towards the Lake with an early start. However, Keith’s new paddle wagon
decided to have a puncher. Delayed by an hour or so, Keith, Chucky, Norm, Zaf
got to Force Falls, just in time to see Bill Ali and Trevor finishing their
run. Keen to get there kit wet. The groups decided to run Force falls again.
Nice short run from above the bridge, through the L shaped weir on to Force
Falls. All got through, some with style and grace other with brute force and
ignorance.
Changing
quickly, headed to the Coniston
Holly Howe Youth Hostel. Call of “are we there yet” changed to “could
do with a beer”. Booked in we headed to the Black Bull, acceptable amounts of
beer was consumed that night. I used a tried and tested method, starting from
the left of the bar and worked my way to the right of the bar. Thus making suring,
a beer would not be missed off accidently. Needless to say, details of the night
are slightly hazy.
The
Group was split into those that snored and those that allegedly did not. Brain,
give all the snorers ear plugs. So this group had a really good nights sleep.
Early
morning rise, after breakfast we headed to the Leven. Inspecting Backbarrow
Bridge we knew we were in for a treat. Onwards to the get in, (http://youtu.be/Kd7TVij22vA)
the first feature is a walled in weir with an inner shoot also walled in which contains a green wave. Many tried to get on to it. sounds of “dowink” - boats colliding with brick wall were heard many a time. Adam decided to show us how it is really done by placing his paddle on top of the wall and hand surfing the wave. Brian rolled and soon it was time to move on. Few more small and big weirs followed and we reached Bachbarrow bridge.
the first feature is a walled in weir with an inner shoot also walled in which contains a green wave. Many tried to get on to it. sounds of “dowink” - boats colliding with brick wall were heard many a time. Adam decided to show us how it is really done by placing his paddle on top of the wall and hand surfing the wave. Brian rolled and soon it was time to move on. Few more small and big weirs followed and we reached Bachbarrow bridge.
There
were two schools of thought. Straight down the middle or Left to right.
NEXT
Weir MUST be portaged. River LEFT.
There
followed some more features. Some say Bill rolled on one of these however I cannot
verify this. All I can do is admit to
two rolls of my own and let video evidence speak for itself as to who did what
to whom. My version, Ali pushed me back in to the weir causing one of the
rolls. ( I really must learn to edge properly). The other was on a fish ladder.
Mistakenly thinking the slot in the middle is designed to allow easy passage
for kayaks. NOT. Lesson learnt.
A
good two and half hour run later we got to the get out.
Waiting
for the shuttle Norman and I managed somehow to catch a headache-each. Thinking
of groups safety we decided to sit out the next river.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUl01MK1XLI&feature=youtu.be)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUl01MK1XLI&feature=youtu.be)
Whilst
waiting, Norman found this magical cure for both our splitting headaches. And we
were right as rain by the time the group got back from there flat water paddle
on the Kent.
Back
to the Hotel. We reviewed the video evidence, had food, consumed small amounts
of beer and went to bed.
Up
the Next day with not much water about we ran the Leven again. A swim and few
more rolls followed. Rest as they say is history.
Fab weekend. Thanks to Rob for organising it.
Fab weekend. Thanks to Rob for organising it.
