Chasing water yet again – what’s with this winter?!

So, in the hope of getting some form of paddle I headed to the Blackwater with Matt and Caz. Cold was the word of the day, oh, along with scrape!

We scraped down the river and ran most of the drops, but it didn’t really feel like a proper paddle; never wanting to be short-changed, we then headed up Strathconon and paddled the Meig Gorge.

Like the Blackwater, it was low and a scrape. Lines, well they were either tight or not really there – it really needs a Thursday compensation flow to be worthwile - but it was worth it for the simple reason that it was boating!

Great day out today, with Matt and Caz. Unseasonably warm, sunny and even a wee bit of water about…

Headed up to a boney Upper Black Water for a quick blast down. Some nice drops as normal, but really rocky on the middle section. So, having decided that we’d done more punting than paddling, we headed to the Meig Gorge.

No real compensation flow coming from the Meig Dam up Strath Conon, and Loch Meig was about 99% ice, but the gorge was running – just!

A wee bit scrapy and some of the run-ins were actually a good bit harder than normal given normal lines were blocked by rocks, but still an excellent paddle.

Wish I’d brought my elbow pads, Cazz made us work hard at the constriction (boat and person rescue) and I took a STUPID swim on the final feature of the gorge, but well worth it nonetheless…and lovely, as ever, to shoot down Tea Cup Falls!!

A great wee run down the Meig Gorge (Am Mòr-Ghil Mhìg in Gaelic) tonight after work; the benefit of light evenings!

It’s such a great section of steep-sided, pool drop action paddling. From the get-go, you’re into the action. A nice tripple step drop into the gorge, but only after you’ve navigated the weir and its associated metal spikes…this time, m’boat made it through unscathed!

Kenny managed to get down the first drop in style, albeit much of it spent under water. He held in for an award-winning period of time, topped off with an eskimo rescue. That guy is a machine when it comes to subaqua paddling; mucho respecto!

The rest of the trip was good craic, with some lovely boofs and lines all round. Torq gave the constriction a shot, with Kevin (aka ‘The Stig’) providing a little safety after a serious rock climb down.

Tea Cup falls, the iconic main drop, provided fun for all. Some good lines from us all and only one swim (after all the hard work was done).  Next time I’ll definately take a camera as it’s a great place for epic photos…

Anyhow, the next few weeks are going to constitute less ‘me’ paddling and a lot more paddling for ‘others’; the club’s intro spring course is about to start. I always love coaching new starts, reinvesting in the future of the club and putting a bit back into the sport…more kayaking-related feel good factors!