15
Apr
Gotta love the classic European architecture in Southern Switzerland
It’s really hard to believe that a few weeks ago I was certain I was going kayaking in Corsica. Â The trip that i have just returned from could not have ended up being further from what I expected. Â However, it was an awesome experience just the same.
Enjoying the Whitewater on the Lower Verzasca
12
Apr
Riding the tears of Everest.
Its dark now, the sun had gone home for the night,
Rapids run and labour won,
In the crashing flow I had to fight,
To welcome the love I wanted to flow,
For me alone I paddle along,
In Everests shadow the flowing rivers,
Gave me memories where I seem to belong,
I dont doubt its passing,
Where the flows goes still,
I embrace all the magic and wonder at will,
For mine is this pleasure,
I smile of joy,
Where courtly romance,
Is our true river dance.
I have been back in the UK for some weeks now, the solo descent of Everest rivers gone – but etched on my soul. If you click on the link www.8848descent.blogspot.com a full description of the trip will be available, you will also be in a position to read a full article about the trip when it is finished.
A short film show and lecture tour will take place over the next few months, these will be in the UK, please keep a watch out on the blog for such details.
The trip was supported by Berghaus as prime sponsor with continued support from Pyranha. The expedition was scheduled to take 21 selfsupport days across the Dudh Kosi, Sun Kosi and Arun gorges, although I paddled much quicker (doing 120km some days). I paddled an Everest, like I have on so many descents around the world. It proved to be fast, agile and with sufficient storage.
06
Apr
The day after our exploration of Hurricane Creek there was still plenty of water on Lookout Mountain. Ben Bernhard and I had been talking about making a run on Yellow Creek for quite some time, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. It was not a first descent, we knew that it had been run before, but not often and not by many and it was the mystery of this rarely-run creek that called to us. While setting shuttle at the take-out we couldn’t help but gaze across the lake at Yellow Creek’s confluence with Weiss Lake and the massive Yellow Creek Falls visible through the trees. We didn’t know much about the rest of the creek, but it seems obvious that we would be spending the day in one of the most beautiful mini-canyons in Alabama.
Below: view of Yellow Creek Falls from the take-out, photo by Adam Goshorn
Yellow Creek flows east off of Lookout Mountain a short distance south of the ultra-classic Johnnies Creek. Historically, Yellow Creek was also tributary of Little River (just like Johnnies Creek), but in modern times it flows into Weiss Lake, as does Little River. Who knows what historic Yellow Creek rapids might be buried beneath the waters of Lake Weiss, but what remains above the lake is a short, steep section of creek that involves several beautiful portages… and some runnable rapids as well.
05
Apr
Hangin in Pennsylvania Craig, Jake, and myself caught word that Big buseater wave on the Ottawa was about to be dropping into a good level. Having the new Pyranha Jed and nowhere else to be we all decided to rally on up to check this beast out. This wave is tall as hell and rather rowdy at times. If you miss the wave, which happens you are in for a long journey back to the top. If you catch the wave you are going to fly!!
04
Apr
Not quite as glamourous as our American team mates on the Ottawa, but I was sooooo excited to get my hands on the small Jed and took it to the Olympic course in the sunshine… The small Jed is great for the smaller lady paddler!! What a super boat… now us British boaters just have to pray for rain for Hurley to come up so that we can fly too (or book a ticket to Ottawa which may well have to be on the cards soon!!)
If you are in the petite lady category, you will LOVE this boat. It is small but still very fast and really easy to throw around, even if your guns are as small as mine.
03
Apr
Look out JED is coming !!!! Â Dave Fusilli called me up on Sunday last week and said, ” I got JED and Bus is in, you in?” Â I replied, “pick me up!!!” This was my first experience with Buseater and it was in its true form, cold water, cold weather, and cold beer. Â We had a great three days on it and we came back with some great photos and video. Â I have a few photos here and I helped Dave with the video which should be dropping soon, and watch out, it’s hot fire!!
Craig wondering how to warm up the water for his next ride. - photo Dave Fusilli
Demshitz clean with JED - photo Jake
Dave and JED flying in the air! - photo Jake
Craig loves throwing his hands up when flying with JED! - photo Jake.
Craig bringing JED in for a landing. - photo Jake
This was my first session with JED and he is really fast, loose and loves to go big. Â This is the first boat that I have paddled where I don’t have to worry about landing my tricks, it’s super forgiving when landing in any direction and really fast. Â It has great forward and backward release for all the tricks and it’s allowing us to invent new ones. Â Like I said before watch out the video will be dropping soon and it is HOT FIRE!!
31
Mar
We have some winners!!! After a few sick days with Jared Seiler paddling the Shiva on the Raven fork Jared and I where all fired up to try our new playboats! Before I go there I have to say that the Shiva is a beast! It was awesome on the Raven fork. It tackles rapids! So the day after paddling the Shiva’s Jared and myself grabbed a Jed and a Loki to test drive in eternity hole just outside of Sylva NC. We are killing it right now! The Loki performs as it should. Nice smooth, easy, cartwheels and easy to stern squirt. The Jed has to be the best freestyle boat out there. It’s way easy to throw around, but as you will see still gives up good pop! I’m super excited to see what we will do in this boat! Here is a short video of the to boats in action. Make sure you stay tuned for a video from myself and Craig Kleckner with the Jed on Bus Eater wave on the Ottawa. Some big air for sure! click for the video below… Cheers
30
Mar
The winter is always a great time to be a paddler in Alabama and so far, the winter of 2011-2012 has delivered! Saturday morning January 21st, at the end of rainy week, another band of thunderstorms rolled across Lookout Mountain at just the right time. Everything in the area was already primed from the rain earlier in the week and this final band of storms brought locally heavy rainfall on top of already saturated soil. With so much water on the mountain, it was the perfect time for some local exploring!
29
Mar
The inaugural Dee River Festival took place on 24th/25th March, at Mile End Mill on the Dee.
Whilst the rain gods were otherwise engaged meaning low water levels, this did mean that the sun was out in force for the entire weekend making for an incredibly relaxed weekend of boating, beers and banter.
Beth going old-skool in Pyranha’s latest offering – the Jed S.
28
Mar
The first ever Gladiator of the Sluice competition took place this past weekend at the National water sports centre in nottingham,the competiotn brought together a wide range of paddlers from various parts of the country.
The event was run in the evening with prelims in the fading light of dusk and finals in complete darkness – fortunately lit by “rainbow daves” strobe lights, lasers, snow and fog machines.
It was by far one of the best competitions I have taken part in and am thoroughly looking forward to the next one !
Photos by Matt Rodgers
Check out the video below 🙂
See you on the water,
Bren