River
Tees
Sunday 13th March 2005
A
gloriously sunny day (if a little chilly) and just enough water (so the easy
sections passable without too much scraping) were what greeted the select band
who traveled to Teesdale for a bash down the Grade 4 drops.
After
paying the access fee, a quick viewing of High Force (the chap selling tickets
informed you weren't allowed to paddle it - don't worry we weren't going to) and
a length walking, we set off on some easy - and shallow - rapids. After about a
mile of simple rapids and the odd small drop over bedrock shelves, we arrived at
Salmon Leap falls (aka the s-bend, aka the dog-leg).
After
inspecting and stationing throw-lines, Les led off. His good initial line
deteriorated and narrowly avoided broaching on the second part of the drop.
Undeterred, he then executed a beautiful back loop and roll - and this was in his
big boat!! Fortunately (for him) camerawoman Sarah hadn't arrived at this point
to record this (or laugh at him). The others on the bank were wondering what
they had let themselves in for!
Andy
descended with no problem, although did thank Les for telling him to bring a big
boat. Pete came close to copying Les' back loop, and Lawrence abandoned his
paddle for the last part of the rapid. Moz took a swim at the top, but went back
for another go - making it most of the way down (see right) before revisiting the
fishes.
After
a quick cup of tea we headed on to the next challenge - Low Force. After
more inspection and positioning of safety, we were ready to go. Low Force is a
10-foot drop which is relatively straight-forward. However, immediately above is
a smaller horseshoe fall, with a tricky line. All the more difficult because in
the back of your mind is the thought that if it all goes wrong there's the
possibility of a swim down the main fall.
 This
time led off, showing a good line to calm everyone's nerves. Next up was Pete,
who demonstrated how grippy the little fall was as he left his boat behind in
it. Next up was Andy, with a good line on both drops. (left: Andy's in
there - after dropping over Low Force Andy briefly disappears into the plunge
pool - you can just see his paddle blade on the surface!)
Having
descended both parts of the fall, Moz tested the water temperature again as the
pile spat him out upside down. (Yes Moz - we know you'd have roll if you'd been
in your own boat).
 After
rejoining his boat, Pete ran the main drop (see right). Unfortunately
getting a slight angle on the drop which resulted in him being spat out at an
angle! - resulting in a swim with him boat squashing him against the side wall
of the drop.
Finally
came Lawrence who picked a great line down the small fall - infact so good that
he speed towards the left hand channel on the main drop! (the one we'd all
decided looked a bit rocky and uncomfortable) After a few reverse strokes it
became apparent that the only way was forward! After bumping down the fall and a
brief battle to stay upright, he duly came washing out at the bottom with his
boat next to him. leaving his paddle to be rescued from the island between the
two falls.
 With
everyone re-united with boats and paddles, we headed off for the final little
drop (well relatively small) - a nice confidence booster for those unseated
earlier (see right) which all paddled with ease. A short paddle down
under the Wynch Bridge brought us to the end of the trip and a long-ish walk to
the car.
All
in all a thoroughly enjoyable trip - short but certainly action packed!.
Finally,
thanks to Sarah for bank support (photography, moral support and most
importantly, a supply of chocolate digestives!!)
Click
here for a video clip of Les paddling Low Force. (warning large file -
approx 1Mb)
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