French Alps 2018 paddling trip
Day 8 The Upper Durance by Stephen Hitchen
9am start for day one, week 2 of LLC’s Alps Kayaking trip saw 19 of us enjoy the upper Durance, which is a grade 2 river and perfect for the newbies who arrived Saturday to stretch their legs and also the for those who need a bit more practice.
Put in just outside Briançon saw two groups get in at either side of the ramp. Keith leading group one, Kirk looking after group two. The river is wide and bouncy and offers great opportunities for practicing hitting eddy’s, breaking in and out. Plus playing on a few waves. It’s kind of like a longer, cleaner Dee. Great to build up confidence. Both groups did this well. Hitting eddy after eddy, then breaking out into the fast-moving water before bouncing along in wave trains.
On only a few occasions did she catch out LCC guys out. Due to a few unseen underwater boulders. But all swimmers were straight back in their boats with a smile on their face.
The get out a Preller came all too soon for me, I would happily have gone around again I had that much fun.
Kayaks loaded and off to river number two, the Gyronde. Before we started though a spot of lunch and some criticism of this authors Kayak fashion sense. Shin Pads and neoprene shorts, not a great look I will admit.