Dart trip Day2: The Walkham

We set off at about 9 o'clock to the start of our journey. We arrived to a very different scene than last year. Last year the river was a lot higher because we had seen a lot more rain. This year was almost the complete opposite story with our boats just about floating at the top. This meant it was low but still paddle-able. We continued on the river to find that it was quite surreal and a beautiful scene the mist was just clearing and the sun was just rising to shine through the trees:

There were a few un-testing rapids. We then came to the point to where I swam last year and found that I had swam over a 4 ft slot drop. This was very odd as there was absolutely no sign of it last year. This shows the extent of the rainfall last year and the difference the rain makes. The slot drop was relatively easy you just had to remember that you had to tuck your paddles in other wise you would get a face full of paddle shaft. Only 2 people rolled on this bit. Stuart and Cliff. Neither swamb, however Cliff did find his boat sinking as he went to get out of it to get some footage.

Shortly after this 2 people managed to get pinned on the same rock and to top it off Cliff decided to join them and ended up with a polata grip pushing up off the bottom to stay upright. The rest of the river was fairly uneventful until we joined the river Tavy and then it was Kieran’s turn to roll on an easy set of rapids. Shortly after Les gets pinned on another rock (it was rather rocky and we all have some scratches to show for it) and managed get his paddles stuck under the rock so Cliff had to go and recue them. We continued down river and portaged the weir. There was very little water and no clear line through without the risk of someone being caught in the stopper. Not a nice swim on a cold day like it was and having to get a rope to them would have to be a long job. After the wier we were almost back to the get out point but before that there was a beautiful standing wave perfect for surfing and carving across. This for the levels that we had was a perfect river I thoroughly recommend it and had a really good day's paddle. Thank you Geoff for organising the weekend.