Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Month: September 2012 (Page 2 of 2)

Devils Water – England

Devils Water – what a name! This river grade III (IV) river is a tributary of the River Tyne and joins the Tyne just west of Corbridge. As you enter Corbridge follow the signs for the A695 and Hexham. This will take you right over the river and will allow a judgement to be madee on the water level. At the bridge near Dilston, the final rapid can be seen, if the rocks are covered the river is worth a go. This is also the preferred get out point.

The get in is very near the hamlet of Steel. A small stone bridge crosses the river just before the hamlet. Enough room can be found to park one or two cars at the most. Please make sure you leave enough room so the bridal way/track can be accessed by farm/forestry workers.

The river is narrow from the start with trees being a real hazard after heavy rain fall. From the “Steel” bridge the river gets off to a bang with a 2m fall within the first few metres. Keep tight to the obvious line and you shouldn’t have any problems. Continue reading

River Etive – Scotland

The River Etive has to be one of the best white water runs in Scotland. At grade III – IV the middle Etive from the road bridge to Dalness falls is by far the best section.

The middle Etive is a 3 mile drop run separated by small rapids. The first rapid is known as Triple Falls which is graded at a grade III+. The stopper are pretty grippy. Setting up bank support is easy and is highly recommended.

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Liquid Logic Scooter – Review

I just got the new Liquidlogic Scooter out for a demo today on Hurley on 2 gates. Here are my thoughts of the boats.

Quick Ref: I am 5’11, 34 inch inside leg, size 10 feet, 9.5stone. Quick history of the boats I have paddled: LL Skip, LL Pocket Rocket, LL Space Cadet.

I have been paddling Liquidlogic boats for the past two years and so have progressed through the range. I initially was worried whether I would fit in the Scooter, as my Pocket Rocket was crippling and so is the Skip I am using at the moment. I jumped in the Scooter straight away and had room. The foot cushion was on the limit of my comfort, if I move (which I will) the seat forwards it will come out and be replaced with a foam footrest. Outfitting is the same as all previous models, with a water bottle holder and the foot cushion.

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Don’t be a Menace to Stout Central Part 2 – Torridon

Part II from Unsponsored’s little brother – River Militia

Don’t be a Menace to Stout Central Part 2 – Torridon from THE RIVER MILITIA on Vimeo.

Don’t be a Menace to Stout Central – Part 1

A great video from Unsponsored’s little brother – River Militia.

Don’t be a Menace to Stout Central – Part 1 from THE RIVER MILITIA on Vimeo.

The 1st in the series; here we visit Austria in search of Big water and lush surroundings. We struck gold here in August for some nigh water runs on the classics and with the help of a couple of cold nights and some local ninjas meant we managed to bag some sections that would typically be too high during summer!

Keep your ear to the ground for part 2…. It’s a jaw dropper!

Enjoy

RM

Watershed Ocoee – Review

Although I have a Sony TX10 waterproof digital camera there are times when it’s not quite up to the job. These situations include occasions when I’m photographing in low light or at longer distances. In these instances a DSLR is really the only way to go.

Watershed Ocoee - Review

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Congo – The Grand Inga Project

I have waited a couple of weeks and have watched the movies a couple of times before I committed my thoughts about it to the site.

Congo – The Grand Inga Project is probably one of the most eagerly awaited kayak movies to date. In addition it’s a departure from the now usual big drop after big drop movie. If you are expecting Steve Fisher, Ben Marr, Rush Sturges and Tyler Brandt to be dropping off progressively higher falls for 80 minutes then you will be disappointed. However if you want to watch some of the worlds best paddlers take on the largest and pushiest water in the world then the Grand Inga Project is for you. It is different, which is a huge plus.

Check out the trailer…

INGA: They are the world’s biggest rapids, 1.6 million cubic feet of water per second, thundering down the final pitch of the mighty Congo River. They are twice as steep and 100 times the average volume of those found on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Explorers have tried to conquer these rapids for generations, but none have succeeded. “It would be insanity in a successor,” wrote famed explorer Henry Morton Stanley in 1877, after his right-hand man drowned. “There’s nothing shameful in portaging,” declared Col. John Blashford-Snell during his multinational team’s highly publicized attempt in 1974. And popular French TV Adventurer Philippe De Dieuleveult never had the chance to comment, as the entire team who attempted the rapids with him, mysteriously vanished in 1985. The Inga rapids have remained the “the choking stone of navigation” up or down the Congo River for centuries!

Congo – The Grand Inga Project covers the history of the rapid, the work undertaken to prepare for such a mammoth task and ultimately shows the attempt at running the rapid itself. The size of the rapids and the amount of water involved is absolutely amazing. Continue reading

Prospecting Idaho – Summer Episode 1

Unsponsored Q&A Series – Darren Clarkson-King

Darren Clarkson-King is a writer, extreme kayaker, expedition provider, river consultant, mentor and inspirational speaker. Darren has taken part in some truly epic expeditions including a solo descent of the Dudh Kosi and Arun in Nepal – Riding the tears of Everest. A true adventurer.

I have read much of Darren’s online work and I have always been struck by the feelings and depth of emotion buried within his writing. Many of Darren’s words are ones that I can so easily connect with and relate to.

To have Darren agree to take part in the Unsponsored Q&A series is simply awesome.

Rivers come and rivers go, one eddy flows to the next wave – we make our choices and move on. Never stopping, restless and awaiting. It is the drive to go with the river that takes us to its heart – moving us onwards to its end

Unsponsored Q&A Series - Darren Clarkson-King

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