Oh yes Josh has officially joined the funny coloured boat club! Dan sorted his blimp out. So here is a few photos from the past month to keep us going till the next big water.  

 Some folk have great rivers on the door step! Cheers

Trees give us the air we breathe but when they fall in the river they become a pain in the arse. I took some time out today to chop at one on the Sprint just down from Gurnall bridge you can now pass on the right with care. It still needs some work and there may be more blockages downstream.

Before and after.

After the excitment on Friday I returned to the Rawthey valley but this time with fresh underpants and a new team. We went up to the upper Rawthey at Uldale in search of another adventure rush. We parked the van at the top of the bridleway and dragged ourselves down to the beck. The level was high enough to be over the ledges above the bridge but not much so as to be daft, more water certainly makes things a bit nasty! The first few ledges get the blood moving an intersting undercut spices up the last one. Steve had a good look at it whilst watching the rest of us come down!

The river cotinued steeply down to a big slide.

At these slides we met another friendly farmer, I think it's a myth that they are miserable and nasty. He warned us about the gorge coming up and lauhed as we paddled off in to the distance!

The gorge came up fast after a bit of scratching of heads Josh, Robin and I went for it. Steve chose the other sensible route.

Needless to say Josh cleaned it

I went deep and did a vanishing act. Rolled and came up smiling 

Robin went last and did pretty much the same as big bro but his deck popped and a technical dismount was called for, Josh and I pulled the boat out of the next hole. No photos sorry was a bit busy. Robin climbed out and met us as the bottom. The rest of the gorge is steep and technical but pretty safe. The entry drop is the decider on whether you do it or not.

Steve and Robin met us at the bottom of the gorge with a told you so look on Steves face, and relief on Robins that his boat was in one piece.

We continued down the rest of the Rawthey to Sedbergh which was great.

Overall verdict a serious warm up for a classic river. Trees to watch for and good judgement for river level. HIGH WATER WILL MAKE THE GORGE NASTY. Just got to keep looking at it till one day you get lucky.

Did the Leven today very high, some great waves the Bridge and wier were possible but we portaged. The Kent is at good level but certainly dropping off, did this with some local stars who had similar stories of daring do from the weekend, but thankfullywere still in one piece.

Have fun, Simo (pb)

After a perfect forecast of pure rain  we met up in Sedbergh and headed up  the clough. We got on near Garsdale station running the first drop with ease.

The river continues steeply and fast close to the road many locals stopped to watch the three of us head down the big brown flume. This was not a training session, it was full fast and furious. The guide book might aswell have been thrown out the window as the grade went up several notches. Lemmings fall was possible for any one with half a brain.

The consequences were going to be interesting so we decide to walk. A wise decision!

The river continued as a big rollercoaster big holes,  waves and nasty trees in your face. Under one of the following footbridges is a 'Dub' (drop) described as 'a bit grabby in high water' a bit! it was full on.

 Dan plugged it and took a big working as did his boat.  The farmer helped us retrive everything and gave us quad bike rides across the fields. He looked a bit concerned when he saw the boat, but Dan was still in one piece.

We continued down to the start for the lower section and got off.

 Rivers will be high for the rest of the weekend so be careful, oh and if anyone finds a black dry bag with a sony camera in it could we have it back, probably in Morecabe Bay by now!

Blimey its been bloody freezing all week. It was looking like a non-paddling weekend, but one river saved us from madness! The call from Ned came down the wire, apparently the Leven was still good to go. As I came over Shap there was heavy riem ice on the fence, why oh why do we do this sport? 

Everyone turned up at Newby Bridge and jumped on the water, Louis was in his baby poo coloured Jefe chico, me in a Cammo Burn both thanks to WCK who must get some perks by getting rid of the dodgy colours. Ned and Steve Ed have much better choice in fashion!  

The brickshoot provided the usual old skool playing and argie bargie as did mill force. It was a medium low level so we mosied on down through the graveyard boofing and breaking out all the way to the .............................................................................. BRIDGE! Everyone cruised through making good footage for Boomer and video camera, various lines were taken confusing Frith and co who were wondering how to tackle the white froth. 

I take my hat off to John in the Prelude - cold day for breaststroke.

Next the big weir. 'Follow me' was the line and with great hesitation and the thought of bouncing off a nasty rock we ran the right hand side. The rest of the river kept us amused all the way to the get out. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a wet new year.  A large tree is still to the right of the island, watch out.