River Ure, 13/07/08

Steve T · River Ure, 13/07/08

After a few days rain the sun shone on us yesterday for the club’s first river trip of the year. There were four of us: Graham S, Mel, Carl & myself travelling over to Yorkshire to paddle the Ure from Hack falls to Slenningford Mill.

Meeting at the campsite, we had a little look at the last rapid before paying our parking fees, getting changed and running the shuttle up to the top. Carl & I were debating the level of the water compared with our last run on this section, deciding that it was probably at a similar level after the recent rain, or maybe higher. A long walk through the woods got us to the start, then we started down the river.

Some small, bouncy grade 2 rapids started us off, then we got out to inspect Hack Falls as best we could from the bank. This needed a bit of thinking about to avoid the hidden rocks and bigger stoppers, then we sent Carl down first just in case. This was Mel & Graham’s first grade III, but we all manoeuvred our way down without any drama. Once at the bottom we tried to carry up to run it again, but it was a grade V portage so we left it and carried on down.

The rest of the trip was mainly flat water, with a few bits of grade I – II stuff, plus Mickley weir which was shot on the left to avoid the grabby looking stoppers along the rest of its length. West Tanfield weir, which has resulted in deaths and was famously the scene of a rescue on TV, was portaged although it can be shot through a big wave on the right.

After this, the river got progressively bigger and bouncier on the lead in to Slenningford Mill. It’s not possible to scout this rapid – it can’t be seen from the campsite as there is an island in the way, and there’s no good place to get out on the other side. This time, it was my turn to act as probe, running blind and hoping no-one was too close behind in case I got it wrong. The main drop has confusing currents and big waves from several directions, as it is a bit of a V-shaped weir, but again all of us survived this as well as the big waves in the run-out of the rapid to the egress point.

Pushing our luck, we carried back up to the top of this rapid for another run, this time with Mel on camera duty. Another clean run down was followed by some time playing on the waves at the bottom before we got out, changed and headed for home.

This was a great day out, a nice scenic river with a couple of grade III rapids, and good weather after a few days rain to top the river up nicely. The flatwater sections are a bit of a slog, but can still be pleasant on a nice sunny day. Most important of all, no drama, and Mel and Graham can now tick off their first grade III rapids.

(Apologies to Allen after we blamed him for the carnage after the last run on the Ure, we took the same line he did at Slenningford, since there isn’t really any choice. I guess we just weren’t paying attention last time.)

Steve

Steve T

I've just been looking through the pictures from our 2006 Ure trip, and I'm sure that we had a higher level yesterday. I will look at yesterday's pictures tonight to compare.

Steve

Mel Stoddart

Just like to say thanks again to Steve and Carl for looking after myself and Graham so well. I'm amazed that I got the whole way down with only one near capsize!
As we looked at the river from the campsite, I was feeling more than a little nervous Especially after all the horror stories we'd heard about people falling into holes, the weir of death and nearly the whole club swimming at one point. Thanks to a lot of patient talking through all the sections (apart from the last one) before we ran them, it seemed a lot less scary. Hack falls was really good fun although I may have had my eyes closed for a bit of it

When the decision was taken to portage West Tanfield weir, I'm sure the people at the campsite could hear mine and Grahams sigh of relief

The last bit was fun but pretty much at my limit. I just hope Carls headcam didn't pick up a few choice phrases that I might have uttered...

Steve T

Compare 2006:

with yesterday:

The waves in the middle are definitely bigger so I'd say we had more water this time. This might explain the carnage on the previous trip, because I did think yesterday that the main drop was not as high as I remembered, since the level below it would be higher. There were still some very confusing & powerful currents in the drop, however.

And that's still no excuse for those who swam at Hack Falls the last time - you know who you are....

More pictures to go on the gallery when I can get round to it.

Steve

CarlS

These pictures say it all, the water was higher and faster this time and yet no one swam. I think it is something to do with the fact that perhaps we are better paddlers now or the offering we made to the river god before the trip.

This was really an excellent day out and I think we should return in the future, the campsite staff are very friendly and it would be nice to stay the weekend.

I have made one video of the bit at Hack Falls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwPtQLuazo and another of the final run at Slenningford will follow.

Carl

Mel Stoddart

50th Post

Thankfully for me the offering to the river gods paid off, you can tell it's me about to come over the falls by the amount of time it took...
I'm just glad that we went on the river safety course before - it gave me a lot more confidence thinking... what's the worst that can happen???

The Carl Cam footage is good, although I think that the lens must have distorted it.... I'm sure the drop was a lot higher than that - even with my eyes shut....

Steve T

Excellent bit of film, I'm sat looking out of the office window at grey sky and buildings and it makes me want to go back and do it again.

It gives a good feel for the rapid, although I think they always look smaller on film / pictures. Being in the middle of them in a small piece of plastic also makes them look bigger.

It adds fuel to the big boat / small boat debate - Mel's boat went through the waves while mine bounced over them, and there were some sky shots during Carl's run down. I'm sure you had more fun, but it suits me as I don't like to get my hair wet.

Steve

Jon W

Looks like I missed out on a lot of fun - I'm jealous. My shoulder survived my charity challenge this weekend so I'll see some of you at the Burrs this week.

GrahamS

Top day out!! Really enjoyed Hack Falls and the camp site part - fortunately the decision to do the weir of certain doom was taken out of our hands.

Thanks to all - I think I should have swam a couple of times though - might be having second thoughts on a smaller boat though!!!

Steve T

Graham & Mel,

They were both nice breakouts - not a big, ugly, old-school low brace or stern rudder in sight.

I've only watched this at work with the sound off, so I won't know what sort of language you used until tonight.

Washburn next?

Cheers
Steve

CarlS

For those who haven't found it yet, the second video is now on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5uh6qjpbPo

Carl

Steve T

I've written up this trip and posted it on the web here:

http://www.freewebs.com/westhoughtoncanoeclub/Ure%5Freport%5F2008.pdf

It's not linked to from the website yet, but hopefully I'll get round to that soon.

Steve