Garry

The day started off with no overnight snow, until breakfast when it started to come down again. Undeterred we headeded off on a two hour drive to the river Garry. This was a dam released river so we were guaranteed a good paddle. All started off very well with the force of the river practicing our ferry gliding. Alan had to defrost his pogies first as they were left in the trailer overnight with temperatures of -5. Everyone enjoyed the drops of fast running but not too tecnical apart from one drop when leaning the wrong way caused capsizing (yes Adrian again)but rolled up no problem. we took a second run at it knowing the lines better, stopping off half way down for Alex to do a spot of bridge jumping. Then back to the van for a long but very scenic drive home. More photo's on Jason's Facebook page. It's the big one tomorrow!

Black Water & Meig

Day 3, in the voice of big brother, the house mates set light to the croissant in the toaster. After a smoke filled breakfast we climbed into the mini bus and headed to the river Meig and Black Water by Garve. On arrival to the black water Adrian wondered why he had come way with us, and only amitted he was bricking it later that evening. The Black Water was short ish section of multiple drops, some big and some, more technical but smaller. The drops cave great practise to master the boof stroke. Some amazing videos and still photos were shot the length of the river, (now online on Glenmore Lodges website). The Black Water is short enough that you can run it time and time again. But the time we needed to get off the water we had to drag Adrian off as his was having so much fun. The afternoon we paddled the Meig, OMG, what an amazing gorge. On arrival it looked like the gorge had no water on it, but due to its narrow width it condenses up massiveily. The Meig is a very steep, tight technical gorge with large drops. A very committing paddle. Possible one of the best rivers we have paddled. At the start you just look down the gorge and see the river disappear downwards into the core of the earth. One tight left hand drop, half way down; take off from one drop, land in the pool with a wall directly in front of you, turn immediately left and take off again on the next drop. Everyone had a fantastic day and it certainly got our hearts pumping. The evening we spent watching the video footage and pictures in the bar. We also took part in the pub quiz coming third, only 2 points between us and the winners.

Spean Gorge and Snow

As promised we woke to six inches of snow. The first thought was are we going to go out paddling, with many roads being closed and other's not gritted we had to wait for the green light from the lodge staff. This gave time for a quick walk around the grounds in a snow blizzard and few photos of the snow covered mountains. When the green light was given we loaded the mini bus and began to depart, after sliding on the ice, nearly jack knifing the trailer and getting a tad stuck we all jumped out and gave the bus a nudge! The forests we traveled through on the way to the river could be describe as Nania, very picturesque. After a lengthy journey we had left the snow behind and arrive in the town of Spean where the sun decided to make an appearance. We kitted up again with dry kit quite a novalty thanks to the super facilities at the lodge and entered the river. The gorge produced some very technical turns and drops. The first rapid which we spent a good two hours on constantly running again and again until we perfected the line down, we have the video evidence as proof ;) Our instructor jake, described how to take forward motion into a side ways action as we had to cross the flow in opposite directions very closely together. The first obstical was a stopper a 45 degrees across the river (not one you wanted to drop into side ways), the other a large boil covering a rock hard on the river right. The correct line was to push hard right onto the rock and through the centre of the boil, just to the left of the boil was a little drop and a good boat grabber forcing you into an extreme high brace or roll, a little incentive to get the line right. Further down the gorge offered some very tight slots, twists and turns, and plenty of essential one man eddy hopping. At times our instructor would disappear behind two or three tight turns and towering boulders, all you heard was a yelp signalling for the next man to find his own way down to the eddy at the bottom. The only incident of the day was a water enema Adrian recieved through his nostrals after rolling over on a tight left hand turn. That will clear him out. The journey back to the lodge was mostly in brilliant sunshine until we turned the corner straight into a snow blizzard. Throughout the evening it continued to snow this made excellent viewing whilst eating dinner, another 3 courses.

Finhorn Gorge

This morning we woke to rain which quickly turned to snow. This got everyone's heart pumping as the thought of the rivers rising. I hate to say it but with 5 minutes of start breakfast the Hastings Canoe club had created a reputation for its self here at Glenmore Lodge. One instructor said cake dessert for breakfast. Yes said Alex and Jason. after breakfast we here the staff over talking about us, they had a cake dessert for breakfast strange lot said one instructor to another. The morning started with a briefing with our instructors, to discuss passed paddled rivers and our aspirants for the week. A short drive to the first river the Finhorn Gorge. A gorgeous boulder filled technical river in a stunning setting. Throughout the day the instructors dropped little hints and tips for safe paddling, little things that perhaps we wouldn't have thought of. Our first job was to move tree wedged across the feature cauldron snout, great team work was needed to clear the route. Plenty of inspection were required to check the route and choose the lines to run. Our guide Giles paddled ahead on several sections so he could film us coming down the various sections on is helment camera. We can't wait to watch them. The river gave great opportunity for boofing, quick turning and plenty of continious eddy hopping. Everyone stayed in their boats, with the only incident being Adrian who caught his face on a rock whilst up side down to leave a small gash. No other casualties or swims but a lot of scraping on rocks as the water levels are very low for this time of year. Jake our other instructor pointing out how high the river normally is making our paddling quite difficult. The get out was a massive scramble up a hill which warmed us all up. The Glenmore instructors carry a small mo-ped in the trailer so the mini bus can be left at he finish and the instructor can get back to start. It was agreed that this should be clubs next investment. 3 Course dinner was fabulious, chocolate lava cake for dessert just melted in your mouth. We could go home a stone or two heavier. Can't wait for breakfast again, more grumpious food. On the drive back to the lodge from get out it began raining, this a caused our instructors to get excited and start about the different rivers we could do tomorrow. Over dinner it rained even harder and eventually turn to a heavy snow shower, forcast said the possible of a foot of snow my morning. A clearing the weather revealed the mountain tops covered in snow.

Day 1

Day 1 Most of the morning was spent travelling to the lodge where we're staying. Simon went to sleep on Jason's shoulder to his amusement. We arrived safety after a couple of visit's on the rumble strips. By 9.30 after tom tom took us to the craft fair, we looked for a voodoo doll of Dave with out success. On arrival we checked in and had a mini explore before heading back to the local town of Aviemore for brunch. Jason was on a different planet and ordered pancakes with banana's and berries. Al had scrambled egg topped with salmon. Arn't we posh!! After walking the full length of the high street we found the mountain cafe, a award wining cafe, a fabulious lunch was enjoyed by all, the most flavious scambal eggs, or pancakes, or full english you have every tried. The afternoon Jason had a little nap, the boys went for swim followed by a sauna and then a walk around the national park outside our accomodation. A swift half in the lodge bar (simon wearing his sleepers, home comforts,) followed by an Indian back in Aviemore set the evening alive. An early night will be needed by all as a full day ahead tomorrow.