Upper Dart 28/02/10
On 28th February 2010, four SVCC members (Dave T, Gavin, Dave P
and Hedley) plus Terry, a friend of Gavin's, travelled to run the
Upper Dart on Dartmoor from Dartmeet down to New Bridge. Levels
were fairly low (1 - 2" below the ledge at New Bridge) - a
manageable level given the fact that this was a new river for two
of us, but low enough that a lot of scraping and rock-bashing was
to be expected.
This 5 mile trip starts with an initial 500 meters of bouldery
grade 2 before visibly steepened into a continuous but boney grade
3. The rock dodging here resulted in a couple of early
swims. Round the first significant LH bend, and the remainder
of the river is pretty much continuous grade 3
interspersed with frequent grade 3+/4 rapids, including the 'Mad
Mile',
Euthanasia Falls
and Pandora's Box. These were mostly negotiated
uneventfully - if not always on the planned line, or even facing
downstream! There was even time for a little playing, now and
again!
Roughly 2 miles in, Hedley took a significant bash on his
shoulder, which aggravated last year's dislocation. He
pressed on gamely
but a second hit took its toll and he walked out the final mile
or so leaving everyone else to scrape down the final stretch to
Newbridge tired but happy.
No swim score on this trip, as the rocks made the survival rate
more of a lottery. Some great rolls, though - particularly in
Euthanasia - as well as one or two tactical portages! This
grade 4 river deserves respect, WWSR skills and real teamwork -
and these were all strongly in evidence!
Thanks as always to Dave for suggesting the trip, and to Gavin
for photos.