French Alps 2018 paddling trip
Day 2 The Lower Guil by Keith
We were away by nine and headed down towards the lower Guil. Overnight rain had put a little volume in the rivers and it looked like a good choice. A short stop at a boulangerie for some more pain (bread) and breakfast pastries and we were off.
The get in was over a small bridge at the end of a rough track. 
After nearly running over a breakfasting family (who had set up a table in the middle of the turning circle) we quickly unloaded the trailer and were on the river. Someone had created a small dam and model waterwheel near the start – quite a work of art.
A delightful paddle down through the gorge and valley below took us to a hanging waterfall pouring from the cliff top. Some 
paddled into a small cave and overhand on river left and then under a Tyrolian Traverse setup by a school group who were abseiling down a cliff. The river then led down through a straight section with a number of “wing dikes” or walls which created great eddies for breaking in and out.
We then met the river Durance and there was a distinct boundary between the two rivers (clear mixing with glacial grey meltwater). We passed under a limestone overhang and on down to St Clement Slalom course and rafting centre. We spent some time playing on the waves there before having lunch and fetching the minibus.