River Dee (Mile End Mill) 17/05/09 (WITH PICTURES)

Steve T · River Dee (Mile End Mill) 17/05/09 (WITH PICTURES)

Yesterday Jon, Lisa, Graham B, Carl & I went to JJ's site on the Dee for some white water experience. The river was low: 2 on the gauge at the centre which compares with 8 when we were there last year. That puts the site’s features at a middling grade 2, a good introductory level but at a guess you’d probably want about a 4 to be ideal for a club trip.

Unfortunately of course, all the other rivers in the area were also just as low. Since the Tryweryn wasn’t releasing either it seemed as if every paddler in North Wales was already in the car park by the time we arrived (that’s a lot of £5 notes for Mr & Mrs Jayes to count). On top of that the rain was bouncing down.

The driving rain put us off hacking up the canal to the Serpent’s Tail (since only two of us would be running it anyway). After a bit of a warm up and some ferry glide practice we crossed the river and walked up to Tombstones rapid. We ran this twice on the left which did need a bit of steering to avoid broadsiding on a rock (which was underwater last time with a big hole behind it). By this time the sun had come out and we were starting to regret dressing for the morning’s wintry conditions.

We went down to the main section which consists of two small drops, each with small but grippy stoppers, and a short rapid at the bottom. We ran the whole stretch a few times and spent quite a bit of time working on ferries and break-ins / outs on the water which, even at this low level, was faster than we get a chance to work with at Burrs. At the end of about four hours paddling we got off and changed just as the rain started again.

The most interesting moments included a boat & paddle launching themselves into the water with their owner still stood on the bank, unfortunately with a good audience of paddlers and two full rafts. Before that, someone who should know better fell in while getting out at the side, not for the first time recently.

It was another great club trip and I think we all enjoyed it, but I think with a bit more water and fewer other paddlers it would have been even better. We might look at an evening trip there when the evenings are long, since it’s not much more than an hour away.

I have a few pictures which I'll try to get posted on here tonight.

Steve

Steve T

Here are the pictures from Tombstones:

And from the first drop at JJ's:

and I must admit I'd forgotten this bit when I was writing the trip up this morning:

Steve

Steve T

Tombstones yesterday (2 on the gauge)

... and last February on an 8:

Steve

CarlS

This was a really good day out and given that Mile End Mill is one hour from Manchester we could consider doing it on a Wednesday. I was using a demo Jefe Grande for the day and whilst I had some initial doubts about its handling, by the end of the day I had found it be a very comfortable boat to paddle (Brookbank tell me that its performance is much better in bigger faster water), I will try out the Nomad next.

There seems to be some confusion that needs to be cleared up

LALA

I would just like to say that i really enjoyed myself on Sunday and i cant wait for the next trip. Speaking of trip i fell over twice, trying to get my boat up where you get out and the guys didnt even laugh at me. Very considerate of you all. I was fully loaded in mud. NICE.

Steve, where is the picture you took?

Lisa

Steve T

LALA

Well, im a big girl.

Ill look forward to that day.

Lisa

GrahamS

Thanks again - great trip.

Must admit I thought the rope swing was Indiana Jones like til I saw the video - looks more like fat dad on kiddy swing!

See you Wednesday.

Steve T

As requested: