A Fabulous Weekend in Dartmoor – November 2018
Phill Burgess trip report
Wow, the long anticipated club trip to Dartmoor was drawing near, a group of 12 were going from HCC, and all hoping for a little rain to fill the river up. We should have taken notice of the old saying “be careful what you wish for”.
The early arrivals to lower Aish bunkhouse on Friday afternoon did so in the rain, by early evening it was coming down in bucketsful, on the walk up to The Tavistock Arms for an evening meal, the road was completely awash with the rain, and about 1 inch deep across the whole road, and it continued raining like this all evening.
Much checking of water levels on rainchasers, etc the river is going to be huge!! As a gauge (no pun intended) the Dart is classed as low at 0.45 and high at 1.2, by late evening it was showing 2.2. , ah well best get a good nights sleep and see what the level is on Sat morning.
Saturday – Dart Loop and Lower Dart
At 08-30 we were in the car park at Newbridge ready to get the shuttle organised, the river level had dropped to 1.2, that meant it was high and bouncy, the slab was completely covered. We have dropped on a perfect weekend for this trip, the river is at a level that you dream of. Before we start we all know this is going to be an absolutely fantastic paddle.
Because of leader availability this trip was converted to a Friends Trip, but that changed nothing about how the trip was run, safety was paramount, the senior paddlers carried out close up inspections of the many turbulent features as we went down and safety cover dropped into place as and when.
The water was high and fast, which made it a lovely bouncy descent, but of course there were less boulders to negotiate which was a bonus. There were a number of swims taken during the descent, but only to be expected at this level, it’s so easy to get caught out. The safety cover was always quick to respond and repatriate the swimmer with their boat and paddle.
Everyone safely negotiated the Washing Machine rapid, a 1 metre drop with a good tow back, the long run down into Lover’s Leap was exciting and bouncy but the high water level meant that very few boulders had to be negotiated on the way down.
It was now down to Triple falls, but a member took a swim before the first fall and appeared safely on the right bank, however his boat continued into the first drop and was pinned, about 10 meters from the left bank. A recovery of boat followed and he was soon back on the water to continue.
The second and third drop, of triple all blended into one long feature, and eventually we were all through.
Next feature down is the Spin Dryer, normally nothing at all, other than a bend in the river against a high wall. On this occasion, the water level was just right to create the spin dryer effect. As the water hit the high wall on the river bend it created a water cushion about 1 to 1.5 metre high with the river running left but a substantial flow running right around the face of this high wall, it created a beautiful spin dryer effect, that was a real challenge to climb back out of once you were in it – fabulous.
We then enjoyed a more gentle paddle down thro the Country Park and continued down the Lower Dart, the high water levels making it a wonderful grade 2 paddle, finishing at the final egress of Salmon Leap Café, Buckfastleigh.
This was the culmination of a very memorable days paddling on a stunning river at superb water level, it had remained at 1.2 throughout the day. Thanks to a great team.
Left: Washing machine, Right: Spin dryer showing the water cushion
Sunday – Rivers Walkham and Tavy
These was new rivers to all except Nick who suggested them, many thanks Nick, a great new experience.
Another early start as we were on the road toward Bedford Bridge near Tavistock before 08-30 am, travelling, unloading, and shuttle made it around 10-00 before we were on the water.
This river does need to have a high river level in the area to make for a good paddle, so we were in for an exciting day. It is generally classed at this level as a continuous grade 2/3 water, with a grade 3/4 slot feature nearer the end.
Due to the unknowns, and continuous nature of this river many closer inspections were called for and setting of safety cover on point duty. At 11 oclock we paused for a moment of reflection since it was the 11th of the 11th.
It was lovely bouncy waves and drops almost continuously until we reached the slot which required an all out inspection. It looked fearsome, a tight drop with pour overs on 3 sides of you, thro a bouncy flat section then over into a strainer, which didn’t have much hold in it, but looked a challenge, then out thro a slot of water in turmoil.
In honesty it looked really fearsome and a number decided to portage this section, in reality it was not difficult at all provided you hit the 1st drop in the centre of the slot, but as always with these things it is as much mental control as boat control.
We progress along the Walkham until it meets at the confluence with the Tavi, Wow this is a big wide river, very bouncy due to the water levels, so we now progress down the Tavi. Again a couple of significant features which required safety cover to be on point duty through the feature, which caused the odd swimmer to require recovering, but all in a days paddling. And finally we reach the get out at Denham Bridge having paddled in glorious sunshine arriving at 2-00pm, another fantastic days paddling with the exceptional Dream Team.
Left: A respectful moment at 11o’clock, Right: The Walkham Slot
