Photoblog by Phil C

2008-03-12T17:46:00.005Z

Saltos del Nilahue, nr. Pucon, Chile

Last drop in the kayaks before leaving Chile. We parked, we saw, we hucked.. 60ft (only half is free... falling though). It used to be a double drop apparently! Click here

Shots by Jonathan Blum

2008-03-12T16:37:00.004Z

Rio Baker, South America's biggest river, three gorges decent.

Here the roads are made from dust and the rivers run through deep valleys, like arteries for the living. Two days south of the Futa, but still considered as northern patagonia, the Rio Baker drains a huge catchment of the Andes. Three sections fo whitewater along the river, carry an average 2000cumecs (60,000CFS) through three gorges, all of which can be accessed from a valley side road, constructed just over ten years ago. Still a rarely paddled river, because of its sheer power, this river's character is one that it is too big for it's walls. All along the run there are magic carpets appearing and moving somewhere else, seams and eddylines that can fold you to places you don't want to go and static water features waiting for mistakes. Unfortunately the lower gorge is set to be dammed very soon, the surveyers have already been in and left their stakes, so time is running out. Would I want to go back to paddle it again? after it being some of the hairest boating I've ever done? on the right day maybe, - still I'd like to have the choice to.

Me, Tom, Ben and Jonathan - 'Welcome to the Rio Baker'

Tom inspecting the portage/sneak at the start

Jonathan taking in the 2nd rapid

.. and the third

Tom, Ben and myself approaching the 2nd, 'on the left, ... left, ... left....'

Run out of the 2nd, author seeing what's beneath

Author not being where he wants to be! the diagonal's risen up once more

3rd, 'centre right to left..., ... right to left, ri ... left ... '

Rapids 3 and 4 of 6 in the lower canyon.

The living emerald gem

1st on the 3rd Gorge

' 'orrible spikey things' ... and men wearing tights

Water shots by Jonathan Blum

2008-03-12T16:00:00.003Z

Rio Futaleufu, the gem in the Chileano crown.

Split into three sections, the rio works it's way down a pristine valley that has been home to some of the biggest river tourist outfits in Chile for the last 20years, not forgetting all the travelling kayakers. It still has a feel of adventure, for if you want to stay in Chile getting there, there is a ferry journey to do where there is no road. Plus there's no fuel in the valley. This highlights that the natural riches for the the local community and tourist businesses must be so good, that this isolation doesn't bother them. First the dams and now a gold mine threaten the valley, which whilst materistically are good for a country, will not support the local people - they don't need the gold anymore than the electricity, which was meant for industry over the Argentinian border. To ruin one unique valley, and disrupt so many local and visiting tourists every year, the question has to be asked, "why here?".

Overnight ferry to the Futalefu valley

Inferno canyon (upper Futaleufu), Entrada rapid, average flows

Phil and Ben

Go between the two big hits, dynamite rapid on the upper futa.

Get your sheep and eat it, chileano style!

2008-01-31T03:17:00.002Z

Santiago to Pucon - Chilean roadtrip

Carl on one of the seven teacups

Phil on the Fuy

Tom on the Palguin

Carl, Fuy

Phil, Palguin

Phil, Fuy

Phil, Tom, Carl, Monica, Ben, Keith

Foreground: pommie truck; background, yank tank!

Kayaking shots courtsey of Monika Gokey

2007-12-12T16:36:00.000Z

"Welcome to Humble Kingdom Nepal"

Here's some shots from last month, all over Nepal.
There's more travellers pics that kayak shots this time!

Overland from India. Next time I fly, this is the good bit,
overnight on-top of a bus came after this!

Karnali river - not bad
work!

Up the Marsyandi river

Walk in to river

Dam on the Marsyandi, still 3yrs off completion, and
allegedly its been kayaked straight through!

Down the Modi Khola valley from
Machapuchare base camp, early morning

Local game, somewhere between table hockey and pool.

Machapuchare near...

...and far

Back for christmas, tinsel town London

Thanks to Streamlyte paddles for their support

2007-10-20T12:32:00.000Z

Uttarakhand Continuous Kayaking

Dave, Kahan-Singh and I headed up valley to the Pindar and Upper Alaknanda, both had been topped up with some rain the night before (the first in two weeks!), and both were excellent!!50km of the Pindar the first day, 26km the second!! Photos by Dave Prothero.

1 Jeep and Driver, two hotel rooms, several meals and 500km of petrol, 30 poounds, bargain!

Dave on the Upper Alaknanda

Kahan-Singh, Pindar

Pindar River

Pretty continuous!

2007-10-20T12:14:00.000Z

Namaste!

I'm in India, up in Uttarakhand province, where the holiest river, the Ganga, emerges from the Himilaya onto the plains of India. Working for Aquaterra.in, I've got to know the area in the last month, but with all types of people coming to me, I've learned far more about the rest of India! There's no two India's!!, I'm sure of it, what an amazing place!

An Ashram in Rishi

Camp Silver Sands.

My new friend!

Bishnu and Tom settling things like a man

Where there's Indian's, there's cricket, did you hear they won the 2020??!

The Ganga (Ganges) in Rishikesh

2007-09-22T12:18:00.000Z

Basque Country Kayak Surfing

In the nook of the Bay of Biscay lies an area of coastline absolutey awesome for surf kayaking. The spanish area is north facing with bays, points and reefs. The french section is west facing with extensive beaches directly in line with the Guaf deep ocen trench, directing any waves there. Wouter and I were unlucky to get flat seas for most of the trip, seems like summer came late to Europe this year! but the last week offered some waves. (that sparkly thing is my new surf kayak too, it rocks!)

The best line ups we had

Sunrise session

Classic europe big wave spot, not that day! Guethary.

Went sight-seeing to the Gugenheim instead, Bilbao

Crowds

...a great place to go, with a lot of culture. The Basque guys are certainly unique, no better seen than when we went to see the final of their local game of Cesta Punta; cross the concept of lacross and squash, play with a melon sized golf ball and you ahve a fair idea what it's all about!

2007-09-21T20:49:00.000Z

Looking back a month ago, I was just coming to end of my stay in Norway. What a stunning country! Thanks must go to Statoil, who on many a rainy day allowed you to get free refills of coffee at their stations, we didn't know whether you were supposed to buy fuel as well! Also, Chris, Rich, Eddie, Guy, Matt and the DUCC guys which I did some great boating with. Without their help, I would of been stuggled to get all my stuff sorted. Also thanks to the Voss guys, Gunvor, Froda, Hendri, Taboya for their hospitality. At the centre, I learnt alot from the guys that had been there, done that, got the T-shirt, Mikey, Al, Andy and all the other guys there which make the centre what it is. Greg, Benji, Christie, Roberto, Jose, Anita, tak fur toren! Lastly, in this oscar style thank you speech, a mention to the Raundal, Myrkdal, Straundal and Brandseth rivers, which without, Voss wouldn't quite be the same place :) Some of my now favourite sections of river are around there now; it was an absolute pleasure to share them.

Arty or blurred?

See above

2007-08-21T08:03:00.001Z

"Show me the money"

Photo: Hendri C

Short story - we went, we saw, we hucked.
Short history - this so called 'no-brainer' waterfall on the Straundalelva got it's name 'money drop' after a cash prize was offered to anyone who dared run it, during extremesportveko, -an annual festival here in Voss. Since the first decent in the late 90's, it has been run at many water levels, usually paying out but not always. Paddles, kayaks, it has eaten them all!

2007-08-12T16:50:00.000Z

Don't Celebrate too early!

Boofing 'Marthe', low water on the Straundal. (All photos: Dave Annear, VRS)

Levels did drop here in Voss, so we moved across to the Raundal. A pretty full on river to raft; drops, long rapids and places you really don't want to go! Here's some recent pics. It's been raining for the last couple of days so we're back to the Straundal and more rains coming, summer has missed norway this year.

Staff training on the Raundal, where the client's don't get top go, Timber Hole.

"Just hold on, you'll be fine"

Rapid 'Trouble' - Raundal. Yes it did end in tears, but got rid of their hangovers...

Always tie your cow up, a little anecdote!

We thought we were on to a winner, Hendri, Birger and myself, when we were asked to retrieve a cow last week. It had found it's resting point on an island in the middle of the Vosso. The cow was dead of course, but it hadn't been for long. All its parts were still intact but, by balderdash, it smelt! We were able to name our price to the local kommune, who'd asked us to remove it, so reluctantly we offered high, which they happily accepted, bonus! When we got there the job was easier than we'd expected too, the cow was a calf and the dead weight was filled with gas, so it floated. With a simple lasso and kayak to tow it, we had it across the river in a jiffy.

A couple of days later, our boss, Froda, received a phone call to say that our cow had gone missing! It was definitely dead, it smelt so, so it didn't go anywhere on it's own. The river had risen though, Sherlock could of worked out what might of happened here. Or alternatively, it was left to rest near the local fishing club's boat, so they might of picked up the bounty for themselves? Eitherway we're now left, having pulled hard labour, with no product of service to invoice for, so in limbo as to whether we'll get paid. That's why you should always tie up your cow!

2007-07-29T15:05:00.000Z

Hilsing fra Norge!!

Apart from the persistent rain, everything is here in Norway; great scenery, great people, good rivers and good work. I'm rafting here in Voss, (www.vossrafting.no) alongside an all star cast ('although they wouldn't admit it'), it makes for a good show! The hot tubs, sauna and spa by the lake aren't bad too, plush is an understatement. As far as rafting centres go, this is the Ritz in number one prime location. The relaxation is much need though, I've been pulling muscles in places I didn't know muscles existed, coupled with tiring trips on a hectic river, it's a high workload job. But I love it, and can still get kayaking on some of the best rivers from anywhere, afterwards!

the VRS (note centre is Senter over here!)

(me flipping in Cora for the second time in the day!)

(Christy getting a sweet line in Lila)

2007-01-26T00:32:00.000Z

Going with Gravity.

Cwm Llan. Credit: James Crookall

Credit: S.Creamer

A new British Uni Expedition will bring together the creme de la creme of student kayakers from across the UK to do what no one kayaker could do alone. At their selection event, Dec 3/4th (www.uniyaker.co.uk), I had the pleasure of kayaking some of the Welsh's finest, the middle Llugwy, Upper Mawdach and a tipple oh so special, the Cwm Llan. The 180 spin wasn't intentional but as someone there said - you had the first man balls up insurance by going first. It's strange but very true, anything looks possible once you've seen someone else do it - venturing where no man has before, is far more pleasing.

Aberglaslyn. Credit: James Crookall

And if the snows are coming, then it's more right to be doing a snowsport than a watersport. So I went on an extended holiday to Meribel and Tignes (http://www.tignesairwaves.com/) over New year and early January to ski with friends and meet some people staying out there. Thanks Will and Hannah for sharing the perks of being seasonaires (Crystal Finest at that), and letting us lie in past your 6am starts. Cheers to Claire for the boarding instruction and showing us just how far behind freeride snowboarding is - in terms of playing your way down the gradient, she's a pro so she ought to know. Kayaks have been going up on end and pirouetting for ages, this is rad on a board apparently. I want to see them deliberately catching edges to power flip into loops and inversions mid piste - now that would beat a kayak anyday - you'd have to break your neck ten times before sticking it.

Credit: S.Creamer

Credit: Phil C

Time to carry on carving, the surf has returned to the North East after what seems an age. I really rate the breaks and swells round here, by the time they've come down the North Sea they're pretty well defined and often have a punch to them - it makes the Cornish counterparts seem like dribble (ooh the banter) - purely observational. And easier to see is the chance to
escape the crowds, there's plenty of people at the townside beaches on swelldays, but for those with a will to explore and good road map, there's plenty of space for all.

Credit: S.Creamer

2006-11-01T19:59:00.000Z

I'm not as new to blogging as this may look, more carrying on keeping a diary, having somewhere some people can keep track of my 6 months before and having fun being arty with photos - yep i'm a secret photoshopper.

Actually previous narrative and artwork can be found here and here.

Pictures speak a thousand words, give or take - so here's some to publish of my summer travels mid 2006. With the aim of seeing what there was to see and doing more than there was to do, I set out to fill my vacation with anything but the usual office job. I traded a desk for the back seat on a raft, a PC for a guide stick and a suit for some watersports apparel - no pin-stripes or cuff-links here. I met some amazing people, worked with many more, bumped into people I knew and many more I didn't - each memeroable for very different reasons

Strathy Bay, N Scotland, Jun 06 - Credit: Ian Sherrington

There shouldn't of been surf that weekend, but to Thurso we went anyway, and after the inaugural Friday evening gruelling behind the wheel, we arrived to a hollow Thurso East. 1ft at that, maybe bigger on some sets, if was hard to tell squinting across the river entrance in the twilight. Unfortunately we hadn't belittled it from a distance, it really was that small and the light soon faded, but hey - when you've travelled all that way. The photos above came about from local knowledge that can only come about from getting it wrong like we did 50 times before. With a bit of thought to swell direction we found the best facing beach at Strathy and enjoyed some surf, it wasn't big but we sure felt clever.

Lynn of Tummel, Perthshire, Jun 06 - Credit: Lee Kelly

Arh well, best to get it wrong early on in your rafting career - a professional gumbi move like this costs in beer fines, hence the photographer's keeness to capture it. Unusually high levels were enjoyed on the Tummel this season, usually half the 20 cumecs goes through the hydro, and half down the river. For a lot of the season, work on the dam meant all the water was diverted down the river - and sometimes more. I had the pleasure of kayaking it at an estimated 5 or 6 times normal flow, an invitation not to refuse.

Upper Pitzbach, Austria, Jul 06 - Credit: Andy, Wouter Wynberg

Who would of thought that amongst the common rivers of the Landeck area, a gem like the Upper Pitzbach could be found, and gets barely a mention in the guidebook. From picture postcard alpine scenery to continuous graded whitewater, this was some two days. After bushwacking through thick undergrowth or just sleeping with something that can bite that night, my left leg bloomed as if full of jelly so I took a rest day the day after. Robin, Andy and Wouter did the last section above Wenn but were forced to turn around by the sight of a downed forest hatching across the ever steepening cascade. A great trip, nice to have the pleasure of paddling with James, Nic, Gav, Nia, Robin, Andy and Tom.

Powerade Games, Weisse Lutschine, Switzerland, Jul 06 - Credit: outdoorgames.ch, Wouter Wynberg

A little extension to the mainland Europe roadtrip, the Powerade Games in Interlaken, the home of the Jungfrau, Wengen and surprisingly a lot of Koreans. A fantastic event, socialising with other nutty people and racing over a crazy course - a kayakists evolution selection event - a matter of survival. 200m of fast flowing flat, a 6m waterfall, huge boils tipping over into a river wide pourover before the rush of more Gd4 - 4+ rapids. My energy levels weren't right with the informally diagnosed local blood poisoning and the lack of preperation. I ended up crashing nose first into bedrock after snapping my paddles - I still have the souviner blood stained race vest as further humiliation. All in all a great event and some fantastic competitors across all the sports, thanks to the organisers for laying on all the trimmings and seeing the event through slickly.

Laggan, Raundalsalva, Sjoa, Jul 06 - Credit: Rich Brimfield, Colin Chadderton

On the way back from Les Suisse, I thought I'd stop off in Norway for a while, the festival was on so it seemed like a good excuse. I loved it, I loved the place, the people, the paddling, the trolls, the sunshine, the relaxed atmosphere and the crazy adrenaline junkies. Brett and Shane, two Americans who'd flown over and been day-light-robbed flying with their boats represented Portland, Oregon well. Tom, Paula, James, Colin and Bertie did old blighty proud, not forgetting Rich and Pat who were living the lifestyle nomadic style. Oystein the underwater hockey champion (!) and base-jumping legend, Gunvor, Big Chris and Bjorkjoff (sp?) were fantastic in their hospitality, they did Norway proud.

Work days, Aug 06 - Credit: Toby Saxton, Lee Kelly

Hossegor, Biarritz, France Aug 06 - Credit: Tim Harvey

More here and here (+ vids). Hossegor apparently gets good surf due to a deep sea channel that funnels the ocean's swells that way. They collapse on steep beaches creating as hollow-as-can-be waves, which are fine when you're riding but can hurt when you're falling - if you follow the links you'll see what I mean. But there's nothing like the feeling of hanging in on the wall, you see the lip in front just curling over and your fins seem to be complaining with the effort not to slip. You make the line or have to carve off early, for the close-outs are heavy. In the euphoria of the last ride you forget where you are - where's the rip? where's the peak? where are you difting to?, and here comes the next wave, hit after heavy hit. But persistence gets you though, and the positioning game starts with the other twenty-five boardies all looking for the same ride.

I love the sport, sunride sessions, midday and sunset, all searching for the best rides, the best filming conditions and the least crowds. It's a quest worth wild bivis and early starts, aching muscles and a couple of injuries - notwithstanding sharing with others, cheers Chris, Andy, Tam, Dan, Tim, Adj and others.