The final trip of the “season”, this coming Sunday 30th, is a combined Upper and Lower Wharfe paddle which is both an experienced and a beginners trip in one. The idea is for the more experienced paddlers to run down to Linton Falls where we will meet up with those wishing to paddle the Lower section. Here you can watch paddlers run Linton Falls from the bridge above before getting on the river below the Falls.

If you’d like to come on this trip, please let me know at tonythompson@pobox.com so I can arrange suitable cover – Also let me know whether you wish to do the Upper or Lower section so I can arrange shuttle plans accordingly.

Meet up for the Upper section is at the bridge at Conistone where we usually put-in, meeting time of 9:00am. The Upper and Lower run combined are a long paddle so please make sure you have 3 weetabix for brekkie. Here’s a link to the meet point: Map

Meet up for the Lower section is at Linton Falls (try not to pay for parking as the plan is to take cars down to Barden Bridge with a shuttle back after offloading boats – only 1 or 2 people then have to pay). Meet up time is at 10:00am. Meeting point for lower section is here: Map

ALSO, DON’T FORGET CLOCKS GO FORWARD 1 HOUR ON SUNDAY MORNING!

Hopefully the river will be at a good level – around 0.45m and lower is suitable for beginners. I’ll be keeping an eye on river levels but if you wish to do so too, you can use these links:

EA River Gauge: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/120697.aspx?stationId=8110
Webcam at Burnsall: http://www.farsondigitalwatercams.com/live-webcams/north/Wharfe/Burnsall/

My mobile number, assuming there’s a signal, is 07590 567652 in case anyone gets lost, but I’m on O2 so its debatable if you’ll reach me 🙂

For those travelling from the Wakefield/Pugneys area, it’s about a 1.5 hours drive to Conistone (slightly less for Linton) so I suggest leaving at 7:30am for the 9am start if doing the Upper.

Finally, if levels are too low, the plan is to go to the Washburn instead (it’s just down the road from Linton) so please let me know if you are coming, to avoid a potentially wasted trip and disappointment.

Any questions/queries, please give me a shout.

Thanks,

Tony.

The plan for this Sunday, 23rd Mar is to paddle the Upper Tees – subject to water levels once again. If there looks to be no water, perhaps a trip to TB may interest some?

This is a mainly grade 2+ paddle with some more technically challenging sections and two major grade 3/4 features, the S-bend (or Dogleg) and Low Force (a 10-foot drop over a waterfall). The trip is for the experienced paddlers in the club, however all the big features can be walked if you don’t fancy the look of a particular one. We’ll also throw in some boof practice on Low Force (I’ll take a couple of lines and carabiners to help pull boats up , if needs be) and perhaps a run of the Jacuzzi shoot if it looks OK.

The put in point is just down from High Force Hotel, but meet at the bacon butty bar at Scotch Corner at 9:30am.

Water level gauge should be around 0.5-0.7, lower and it’s scrapey, higher and it can become a tad more challenging.

You can keep an eye on the level here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/120692.aspx?stationId=8138

Fingers crossed the level is good.

Please let me know if you intend coming via email to tonythompson@pobox.com or post a reply on this post on the website.

Cheers

T

The next trip is scheduled for the River Crayke.  This is a short stretch of grade 2/3 river running from Lake Coniston to Greenod.  It is approximately a 6 mile trip with the first mile down the lake before entering the river.  This part of the trip can be shortened but includes a short walk to the lake, Whereas the normal putin I use the walk is about 50 yards.  The river is narrow and consists of mainly grade 2 sections with 2 grade 3 sections.  The first Grade 3 can be inspected but the last one Bobbin Mill cannot be inspected and as such you need to be competent in your ability in the boat as the only safety is at the start and at the end.

The shuttle will take about 45 mins so I therefore suggest that we meet at 9.00 am at the putin indicated on the rainchasers site.  This should enable us to be on the water about 11.00.  With about 2/3 hours for the trip we should be off about 2.00pm.  Please bring a warm drink and something to eat.

Will you please let me know before Friday if you intend to paddle.  The distance from Dewsbury is approx.115m and will take about 2 hours using the motorway. If anyone wants a lift me please get in touch.

Link to rainchasers site: http://rainchasers.com/river/crake/blawith-common-spark-bridge#viewport

Regards

Mike Robson

A reminder that the New Years Day club paddle takes place on the River Ure, meeting for 10:30 at Slenningford campsite.

The organiser, Mark Wilbond, is happy to arrange to meet up with anyone between Xmas and New Years Day at Batley or Pugneys if anyone would like to borrow kit. Please contact Mark via email at mark_wilbond@btconnect.com

There will also be the possibility of a raft for those who want a slightly more relaxing trip down the river.

Hopefully see you there!

This is the re-scheduled trip from two weeks ago, the much talked about Wharfe-Wharfe that has been in the making for over a year 🙂 The plan is to do both the Upper and Lower sections of the river Wharfe in a single run. This river includes Conistone Falls (a 1m river wide drop), Ghailstrills strid, Linton Falls (a grade 4 2m two-tier drop) and Appletreewick falls.

To make things easier, meet up is at the bridge over the river near Kilnsey (where we get in for the Upper Wharfe trips), drop off kit, take cars to the get out at Barden bridge and shuttle back in a couple of cars.

Meet up time is 9am.

This paddle is LONG and definitely not for beginners – please make sure you bring along something to eat and drink as it is a long time on the water. I imagine you will all ache after this paddle 😉

If you plan to come along, please let Tony know via email (tonythompson@pobox.com), on Facebook or via text to 07590 567652.

Trip is club members only. The trip can only take place if water levels are sufficient so please ensure you let the organiser know you are coming in case plans change. If the levels are low, we’ll end going to the Washburn instead which is only round the corner…