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Scotland 2011
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On the last Thursday of January a small group of paddlers set off to Scotland.
The highlight of the club’s year is this weekend with the biggest water and the hardest rivers. This is not a BUCS event, no points to be won or medals to be had, just excellent pubs, breath-taking scenery and technically demanding rivers.
Friday dawned and the advanced party set off to run the Roy and the Arkaig. These rivers were a gentle warm up for most in the group before the main events of the next two days. For “Sketchy Pete” Clarke however, it was a perfect opportunity for a first decent; scouting and running a never before section of Scotland’s white water. This is surely a young paddler to look out for in the future.
Dinner this weekend was organised into a “Come Dine With Me” style competition with points based on quality, amount and of course, entertainment value. First up was NUCC old boy and legend Tom Kelsey who served up a rustic style lasagne noted for its bold use of garlic and then with dinner over it was pub time.
By Friday evening the rest of the club had arrived and met up with Thursday’s advanced team in Roy Bridge, the base for the weekend. After a big pub session with superb local music it was back to the youth hostel for a few more beers and a discussion of the day’s rivers before bed.
Saturday morning was traditionally Scottish, cold, wet and miserable. With breakfast dealt with and kit on we set out on the short drive to the Spean Gorge; a tight, technically demanding section of river offering superb boating and some of the most staggering scenery in the country.
First up was “Fairy Steps”, three pool drops with plenty of opportunity for panic, pictures and swims. This section asked big questions of all and the best answered with some excellent lines. Even those who swam dragged their boats out and went back for more! Mention must go to Sarah McGharrity who went down a large section headfirst and still re-ran the Steps.
From here on the river continues as a twisting, narrow section of grade 3-4 until it reaches “Headbanger”. This drop is only runnable safely in the right conditions due to the massive undercut present at the bottom and only one paddler this year decided to chance it: another NUCC old boy Duncan Light. The attempt ended badly with Ralf Baker having to pull him free of danger as his boat filled with water.
By the end of the gorge the weather had brightened and the sun was out in full force. At the get out the scenery was Alpine and the first few off the river were found sunbathing in the shadows of Beinn Bhan and Beinn a’Mohonicag.
To round the day off we headed to the Arkaig again to run the ‘main event’ again. Putting in at Loch Arkaig turned into a battle to throw as much kit into the water as possible and ended with Ali Bradley falling in off the back of a boat and Ralf Baker somehow tearing his paddles in half with his bare hands.
The main rapid is a short five minute paddle and is an excellent spot to stop and run for a while. “Team Safety” spent much time at the bottom of the rapids helpfully pulling off the decks of those foolish enough to paddle past them. The resulting swims included the third ever “Wet Exit” by Sam Desbruslais, a rare event that we are truly privileged to have witnessed!
Saturday night’s Come Dine With Me dinner was cooked up by the Dunfermline-born team of Malcom Frasier and Ali Bradley. The pair served Mediterranean style baked chicken and potatoes but were narrowly beaten to the win by Tom Kelsey’s previous night’s efforts because of unforeseen delays in the cooking.
Post-dinner entertainment was led by former president Dr. Browell with a round of the name game. Three rounds of acting, miming and describing and with team two having won it was back to the Pub for more whisky until closing time.
Sunday morning was the last day in Scotland. Grey, cloudy and cold with very little water left in the rivers. A decision was made to head to the Etive and simply run Right Angle Falls for an hour or so. Set to a savagely beautiful backdrop the crystal clear water was the perfect spot to play and cure any hangovers still remaining.
Big lines were taken by everyone but the prize of the day goes to Flic Powell for the most horizontal line of the day resulting in some anguished faces! After much leaping in off the rocks and more runs off the falls the clouds rolled in over the hills and it was time to pack up and leave.
Special mention must go to Ryan Gillan, an NUCC fresher this year who made the trip to Scotland after just 5 months of paddling experience, all the NUCC old boys (and girls) who made the trip, including three ex-presidents and brilliant Jim Bellis. Thanks must also go to Conor Poland for not eating constantly and of course, to Chris Beckett, the 2010/11 president who has put so much into organising such a spectacular trip.
