Outside of Molina, Chile, lies one of the most incredible places to experience. The rio Claro is a river that you can only truly appreciate its glory, and many sections are only possible to access, by kayaking it. It is about as narrow, and committing as kayaking gets. It is one of my favorite runs in the world, and by far one of the most beautiful. The chrystal clear water, the towering overhanging walls of the gorge, and the endless drops. It is a place like one other, and I am always counting down the days till I can drop back in.
Remember the river we cleaned the lines up on by cutting out the trees so it would be in prime condition when the high water came? The highwater is here and the river is amazing. It’s named the Venter Ache for anyone wondering.
Dane Jackson takes a very stout run down the Lower Rauma.
Dane Jackson – Lower Rauma
I had grown up seeing so many videos of one of the biggest classics of Norway, the Lower Rauma. Finally getting the chance to experience it was unreal and it was everything I could have imagined, and more. I not only ended up getting the 3rd descent of Brennenfossen which is an ultra stout that Bren first descented in 2016. I also ended up deciding to run Flemmingsfossen which is one of the most intimidating drops I have done as it has a very hard lip to line up, as well as only about a 20ft window where the drop doesn’t land on rocks. It was one hell of a day and I definitely can’t wait to get back to it, although I don’t think I will be running those 2 stouts again.
Dane Jackson take a run down a high water Myrkdal.
High Water Myrkdal
The boys didn’t waste any time to get me straight into the stouts for my first day ever in Norway. We put onto the Myrkdal-selva which is one of the sickest runs, but generally done lower. Once on the water the boys made it clear it was higher than they expected, but that didn’t stop us. They just gave me beta the whole way with no scouting. After the first big sequence I was definitely gripped, but I started to get more comfortable as the day went on. It was a a hell of a first day, plenty of stout holes, and nothing but good times.
Welcome to Unsponsored and Movie Monday 22 June 2020. Service is back to normal so we a re kicking off the new week with a fine selection of kayak edits.
Portaging and soloing whitewater paddling up to class three was the plan for my short adventure this day. First, I go through some of my wilderness outfitting gear including my spraydeck, whitewater canoe, drybag and drysuit before heading out on my Magnetawan River canoe trip.
My plan was to head downriver to a bridge where my wife would pick me up. The route would include two portages, a couple class 1 and a couple class 2 rapids as well as one big class three rapid. As soon as I ran the first rapid it felt awesome to be on the river. It was hot out for this time of year and after a portage around a big canyon and unrunnable rapid, I soon ran out of drinking water. Fortunately, it wasn’t long until I found a natural spring with delicious and cold water.
After dealing with the raging whitewater of a big drop, I paddled through a calm section and had a weird feeling like something was staring at me. I turned around to see a small, brand new log cabin built on top of a hill. It kind of struck me as odd that this would have given me the urge to turn around and look behind me. Before too long my trip was over and I met Tori at the bridge and I was home by dinner time. I felt tired but rejuvenated after the little outing, but more so I felt fortunate to live in the place that I do.
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