Breaking news, the river claims its first victim. In an attempt to find a more technical and difficult river we find ourselves with a broken boat and a swimmer who came out black and blue all over. The Durrance gorge was an absolute must on Jason’s wish list of rivers to paddle. A phenomenal river with boulder gardens, underground caves, and trees blocking the path down the river at head height. Some fanatics video footage was recorded of the on the ultimate feature the Slot and Drop. This is a narrow opening between two huge boulders just wide enough for the boat before a rock pummelling drop. Just remember on the slot to put your paddle length ways down the side of your boat to avoid getting stuck. Immediately after the slot a power stroke on the right (no room on the left, as pinned tight to the gorge wall) before going into the drop. If you were lucky the drop would grab your boat and spit you out onto the gorge wall. A quick roll and frantic paddle to the first available eddy before the next drop. All was well until this point. Three swims soon followed this feature one resulting in an epic boat chase down the rapid for what was about quarter of a mile. Unfortunately their paddle was never found. Somehow Jack managed to split his boat open in two places and spent all afternoon repairing it. It seemed Richard had the best idea of the day not to paddle this river, a few others wished they had done the same.
The afternoon was spent repairing Jacks boat and sightseeing for Al, Simon, Dave, Jason and Richard. A brisk walk to some gite on the mountain side at 1723 meters with some breath taking views and several waterfalls of 110 meter.
Today’s Statics, 3 Swims, 1 broken boat, 1 injury and 1 lost paddle
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