Stuart Reeve posted on November 16, 2009 06:16
The weather gods were meant to be smiling on us in the week leading up to the trip and four inches of rain were expected. Did it rain? Of course not but that didn’t stop us from hitting the road at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning to enjoy the last bit of access on the Upper Dart for the season.
The rapidly assembled posse consisted of the main man Mike Ransom on point, driving the passion wagon, Darren, Stuart, Lord Chasney fresh from his solo first descent of the Upper Rum Kola with Gary and Amy bringing up the rear.
The crack (or is that CrAP) troops were quickly assembled and kitted up in full white water battle gear and made ready to take everything that the River Dart could throw at them. Mike and Amy agreed the rendezvous at Euthanasia Falls and then it was off to do battle with the river.
The Upper Dart is technical Grade III boulder garden for most of its 5 mile length with a few Grade IV drops at the levels we were running it but with a lot more rain it can turn into a horrendous river that expert avoid unless they are in search of an epic.
The troops took turns at leading down the river and playing on the waves until we got to the rendezvous point. No Mike or Amy yet so we started to get some film and photos of everyone running Euthanasia Falls. Some of the troops ran the rapid up to five times. Obviously eager to make the most of the last bit of white water paddling for the season.
Mike turned up in time to see us strut our stuff down Euthanasia but where was Amy? Apparently Mike had been assisting Amy across a stream when she slipped and twisted her ankle. Amy had decided to wait at the next rapid while Mike pushed on to Euthanasia.
The next rapid was Pandora’s Box where Amy was waiting. After quickly scouting the rapid we all picked the lines we were going to take. Chas decided that his line was going to be along the bank so that he could offer us bank support while the rest of us ran it. All was going well until Stuart hit a rock and capsized, rolled up, hit another rock and went back over again.
As he went to roll up again, he discovered that he had managed to go through a gap that was only wide enough for his boat when on it side. Stuart was stuck but ok as he was resting on the rock beside him. The troops kicked into action with their mentality that we don’t leave anyone behind.
Gary rescued Stuart’s paddle that had been dropped as it was flexing in his hand. Chas threw Stuart a line which was meant to attach to the back of the boat so the he could pull him through but it missed. Darren had now jumped into the river to assist. Stuart realised he had three options.
1. Pop his deck and climb out though he was worried that the boat would fill with water and shift before he managed to get out the boat.
2. Wait for Darren to assist but that would still involve trying to exit the boat or
3. Try and lift the boat with him in it so that it would release from the pin and then he could run the rest of the rapid sans paddle.
Stuart opted for the third option as he was fearful of damaging his knees trying to exit a fast filling boat that could shift at any time. Gary threw back his paddles and we carried on down the rest of the Upper Dart and the Dart Loop.
At the take out we sat on a picnic table and put the bothy over us to keep warm. The pickup had been slightly delayed as Mike had nobly volunteered to act as Amy’s crutch/support.
In the evening, Chas’s daughter drove up from Plymouth where she was studying. Obviously lured by the promise of free food and an exciting evening with CAPs resident daredevils. Unfortunately, we failed to make an impression as due to the early start and the exhausting paddling everyone was falling asleep at dinner.
Sunday morning and everyone rose around 8am. Kit was sorted, breakfast was eaten then it was back on the road again. Due to the lack of rain it was decided that the best option was to run the Upper Dart again.
The highlights of the day included all of us running Euthanasia with about a metre between each boat as we shot down and running Pandora’s without incident. After an excellent paddle it was back to Blighty (Croydon) for tea and crumpets.