welshkate

Wales received its fair share of white and fluffy precipitation over the last few weeks and what better way to make the most of it while curing a turkey tryotphan hangover than to go snowboarding on boxing day. Chris C. and I shredded some of the pow up in Brecon Beacons and followed it up yesterday with a good run down the Mellte as it melted.

We met our group (of 7) at the iced up get in and hiked down. It always takes a while to get the boats down to the get in but when we got there I was pleasently surprised by the levels- EA gauge was running at 0.48 m when we got on. Yes!

Photo: Chris and Nicki lowering the boats.

Photo: Shane getting ready to launch at the get in below the big one.

It was good to see that the levels were high enough to allow us the run the first drop-ie the ledge was covered. A few paddle strokes warm-up and bam, straight into the 15 fter. No brainer; I’ve heard its shallow (I didn’t check) but its a real easy boof.

Photo by Shane: Me boofin’ the warm-up drop.

Photo: Chris C. on the second drop

Fun times. About 50 meters further on is the 25 footer. We inspected and Rhod was first down again. We all went for the pencil and oregon tuck. I’ve spoken to a guy who gorge walks this area and has brought scuba gear to this drop and checked it out. He says its really deep river left, but goes down to about 8 ft on river right. Nice drop. Rhod ran laps on it…

Photo: Rhod atop the fall

Photo: Nicki tucking on the 25 fter.

After this drop, its was into the gorge and some really cool icicle scenery. I always like this section at this level- classic pool drop class 3+. Then there’s the looping pool which was uneventful at this level and then the drop that nearly always hurts my back, even with a great boof.

Photo: Chris on the drop that hurts your back

Finally there was the last shallow weir, which is a lovely boof spot. Again, i’ve been told that it’s super shallow (I failed to check if this is true) but the slightest of boofs will keep you right.

Photo: Jonny on the last weir drop

A fun day on the river with Sam, Rhod, Nicki, Shane, Jonny and Chris. A first no portage run with put in just below the big waterfall (Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn) for me. I heart kayaking, I heart kayakers and I heart the Pontneddfechan area of the homeland. Video up in a little bit…

2010 has a been a bumper year of paddling for me. During January and February I made the most of the remainder of the UK winter whitewater season notching up some courses (AWWS&R and 5*T) and new runs including the Mellte and middle Tawe in South Wales. I revisited oldies but goodies such as the East Lyn and Upper Dart in the southwest.

Photo: Chris at the get in for the Mellte, South Wales.

No sooner was I back from Corsica but 6 weeks later I was off to the Sesia Valley in Italy. Campertogno proved to be a whitewater kayakers wet dream. Many, many rivers all within 30 minutes drive of our base camp and most being the style of river I love i.e. low volume with boofs and flares. This combined with the cheap wine and beer, excellent food and social campers made for fun times indeedy.

Photo: Tom on the Sorba slides. Sesia Valley, Italy.

Photo by Mark: Me on the Gronda, Sesia Valley, Italy.

After Italy we made a swift stop off for a few days in Switzerland and a change of pace to more mellow runs

Photo: Loading the boats into the shuttle train, Switerland.

Summer provided a dearth of kayaking venues due to lack of water and holiday time available to me. But…there was the saving grace in the form of Cardiff International Whitewater Centre. Many a weekend was spent playing in the holes, trying to perfect that loop, blunt and backstab.

Early Autumn and time for my second annual pilgrimage to the Wet West Paddle Fest. 7 sections of rivers in 3 days and my appetite was satiated for a month or so.

Photo: Andy on the left line of Pinball on the Alt a Chaorainn, Scotland.

Late Autumn I headed out to my old stommpin’ ground of the Pacific Northwest. I spent 4 days paddling some of the old runs and also heading out on new ones. I finally put big brother to rest.

Photo: Yee-haw on the big brother, Truss, Oregon, USA

The rain came down in the UK a week after my return from Oregon and the full circle was complete when I managed to get on the East Lyn again, but this time taking in Hoaroak Water too.

Photo: Chris and Dave on Hoaroak, south west England.

What can say, except that I am thankful that 2010 has been one of my most prolific years of paddling. I love kayaking and I know that 2011 will throw up more of the same.

THANKS TO ALL MY FRIENDS FOR SHARING THESE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES WITH ME!