The Upper Wye
On a chilly March Saturday in Mid Wales, the hardened few set off for Concrete Bridge. Six kayaks and an open launched on to fairly perfect water conditions.
A few gentle rapids and play waves gave way to continuous Grade II with the occasional large boulder to avoid and overhanging trees to catch the unwary.
The river continued like this for about an hour until we arrived at the Letterbox rapid. We stopped at this point to get out and inspect the first major challenge of the day. After much discussion it was decided there were two possible routes: left or right. The right hand route looked easier to get lined up but pushed you through a stopper, the left route was a harder line with a tight turn at the end but did not have as much water flowing through it. Most of us took the left. We ran it one at a time with the others providing safety cover with throw lines and boats below ready to catch any swimmers. We all negotiated the rapid without incident apart from a tail squirt from Paul J!
Carrying on downstream we passed under a footbridge and the River Marteg confluence on the left. The river picked up speed towards the next Grade II rapid: a steep drop on a bend in the river.
After that, and a few more rocks, we came to Viaduct rapid. Grade III because of the water level, the lead in on this trip was much easier than on previous occasions. This time we had a small drop and a curling wave to avoid. Plenty of PLF got us all through to the flat water below.
The remains of the Viaduct now has a strange use: hanging inside the left hand support pillar is a large metal sheet with the cut out shape of a person. We assume this is for shooting practice!
Between here and Rhayader the river flattened out but still provided some play waves and plenty of opportunities to hone the basic skils.
On entering the town a small natural weir lead to ‘Pete’s Defeat’ a natural forming and vicious curling wave with a powerful stopper. On this occasion we all got through without incident.
The main part of Rhayader town falls provided two route choices: down the fish steps with obvious tow backs, or bouffe the main face. Three took the challenge and bouffed the main face whilst Pete in the canoe and two others bimbled down the fish steps.
Then came Paul J - not quite the same line as the others had taken down the main face. A side slip from the good line into a slot as he dropped off the main face left him upside down. After an attempt to roll he was pushed up against the main face. Banging on the bottom of the boat the White Knight came to the rescue. Paul found the bow of the offered boat came up and was then pulled out of the main current into the safety of the only small eddy in sight.
Paul claimed his deck had ‘popped’ as he slowly sank. With the assistance of the White Knight Paul got out of his boat and emptied it. His paddle (previously released) had been recovered and was valiantly returned.
Throughout the journey we had been closely following two people, one in a kayak and one in an open.
At Rhayader Town Falls they caught us and the canoeist took the route down the salmon steps. Jumping out of his boat to take photographs of his friend. Unfortunately his boat decided to continue without him so our group assisted by bringing it back for him to catch and climb in.
A short paddle then to the get out and walk to the cars parked in Rhayader Rugby Club.
Reliving the day over sticky buns and a cup of tea or coffee in the local shoppe: all had enjoyed their paddle on this stretch of very pleasant river.
We stayed just outside of Rhayader at Beili Neaudd Bunkhouse. A very welcoming converted barn: one of our regular stops. Awaking Sunday morning to find the world had turned white we manoeuvred (slid) around the car park before setting off on our journeys home.
March 11th 2006
