Lower Tryweryn – Trip Report March 2019
Due to the lack of rain and a planned dam release, Michael who organised the trip decided to opt for the lower Tryweryn. So after a foggy early morning drive to Wales we assembled at 10.15 am at the café car park. Fraser, Michael and Jack had arrived early to get a few laps of the Upper T done before we arrived. They were joined by Phil, Rob, Shakey, myself (Simon), Nick, and Sonia an enthusiastic South African. Not sure where she popped up from. After dropping the cars off at the get out in Bala, Michael and Jack did the safety briefing prior to the get on. This trip was to be used as a training opportunity for Jack to take his first lead under the capable guidance of Fraser and Michael.
Rob and Phil wanted to do the last couple of drops on the Upper T ( NRA ,Chapel Falls) so accompanied by Fraser and Michael they got on just below the café section. This was the first time that Rob had been down this section and he managed it with style. Phil had a roll en-route but arrived unscathed.
The less adventurous of us in the group got on at the camp site below chapel falls. After a bit of ferry gliding to warm up, we all proceeded being led by Jack down the lower section doing some eddy hopping and boulder avoidance practice. The camp site wave on this section gave the opportunity for some coaching and practicing the art of side surfing. This was a great place to practice without any nasty rapids lurking below.
The nature of the Lower T (for the benefit of those who haven’t done it) is fairly continuous grade 2+ rapids which keep the interest all the way. Although a lot of stretches can be run on sight there are sections which require caution/inspection as it is quite narrow with low lying trees.
On one such section which we did individually Sonia had a pin with tree and was quickly rescued by Michael. Nick also had an encounter with a tree lower down. On one section as it was not visible an inspection was made by Fraser and Jack which revealed a potential tree strainer . So this section was done individually with leaders giving cover at intervals.
After lunch we separate into two groups lead by Jack/Fraser and Michael and proceeded further down towards Bala Mill falls. We stopped before the run in to the rapid and had a discussion that this was Grade 4 rapid so was to be done as a peer group. Nick elected to portage and watch the fun.
The rest of us paddled down to the an eddy above the falls. I had only done this once and had previously ran it straight through. So with advice and encouragement from Jack decided to do the eddy breakout on the left. Fraser and Michael went down first to provide cover, which in the event was very necessary as Sonia went over just before the drop and couldn’t pull her spray deck due to the loop being tucked in (oops). She finally managed to push it off with her knees and was then rescued by a timely throw line from Michael.
This was definitely a reminder to all to check your spray deck loop is out when you get in to avoid unnecessary drama (or you could just roll up). The rest of the group got through Bala Mill without further incident. I understand it was Rob’s first upright journey through BMF so another first for him.
After all this excitement we all paddled down to the get out at Bala, sorted out the cars then some of us went to the Bala fish and chip shop for some welcome refreshment.
So a great trip and a number of firsts and individual achievements. A big thanks to Michael, Fraser and well done Jack for leading his first trip. The first of many no doubt.