Umko

Umko, day1 swim scorecard:

No1 3 boats, 5 people
No2 1 boat 1 person

No3 2 boats 3 people

No5 1 boat 2 people

Arb rapid after lunch 1 boat 2 people

Arb rapid with playspot 3 boats 4 people


So after no planning, the trips sea-sawing between going and not going and even where we where going, we left for the umkomaas on Friday afternoon. Thanks to a general lack of experience of the trip on Thursday, taking beginners just wasn't possible. But in the end would have been ok.... 

The drive down is long as usual, we headed down in two cars. Chris Green, Chris Crogan, Don and Myself in one car and Jo, Rob and Paul in the other. We left a bit earlier and stopped in Mooi river for a beer and some supper. The other car met us there with not three but four people walking into the pub. The fourth, a rather boozed looking Alan grant, had decided at the last minute to come despite better judgement. Al had two test and and assignment the following week, he also didn't have any stuff. All he had was a dodgy sleeping bag he found in the storeroom. What a legend. 

So we got there late after some driving in the mist. Apon driving down the steep incline to the campsite the kayaks seal launched off the roof onto the bonnet then the ground. The entire roof rack had come off. After we finished pissing ourselves we decided to stash the boats in the bushes and get them in the morn. 

Saturdays paddle was good. The level was a lot lower than I was hoping for but still good. It was not all bad as Chris is new to kayaking and the river would be pushing his limits. 

I headed down to the eddy above no 1 with the two chris', who were in kayaks.  The rest where paddling crocs, even Al who's kayak was securely at home. 

I checked out the drop, and after a rye smile to the two in the eddy pissed down. Yes it was a big hole and I new Chris Green wouldn't have paddled anything this big. Crogan made it down with no hassle and gave Chris the thumbs up. He cam down and with big eyes hit the hole. He flipped and swam, but non the less had a massive smile. The crocs came down next; Al made it down no hassle, Don and Jo swam as did Rob and Paul. 

Don and Jo, swim 1 rapid 1

The rest of the rapids were filled with swim time and nice action. There are a few nice play spots along the way, which Crogan and I spent some time on. 

Chris styling No.4

Enter 5&6, which is one rapid, probably the biggest on the section. At this low level the rapid is quite easy however a little technical as one has to run the pinnacle (right) line. With more water a chicken line opens on the left, which for croc is a better option. I went first and headed left of the pinnacle, as despite looking more difficult proved to be not too much hassle. Crogan and Chris headed down the right and made it easily. Al, Rob and Paul made the right line in their crocs without an issue. So, Don and Jo..... Crogan and I thought it would be a good time to flash them as the paddled past, off with the pants and we were running safety. The headed down and manged to flip, in true team chaos style on the reaction wave on the pinnacle rock. So, jumping over rocks while trying to pull up my pants we scampered to our boats to pick up the pieces. Jo may have got a rock in the ass, which made a fantastic bruise. 

Me heading left of the pinnacle

Al cruising the right line

Apparently most of the trip never read my mail about the lunch plan, claiming they never got it. Most replied to said mail I would like to add. So the little lunch was split amongst the group, but we had a dry barrel of beer to look forward to come the take out. The rest of the river went along in similar fashion with the odd swim at unnumbered rapids. 

One rapid in particular caused much chaos. Seeing a few waves and not much of difficulty I stopped to play and sent the rest down expecting everyone one to make it. Well, when I turned around there where no less than 3 boats without paddlers and a bent paddle. Not entirely sure how that happened but there must have been some sneaky feature in the path. 

After some looking for the take out we, stopped paddling with time to spare. What was a cane field and a lapa is now a field due to a land claim on farm. So with the extra time we craked open our barrels of beer and started beering. In high spirits we climbed on the bukkie and started back, drinking more beer. What is generally a long cold shuttle turned into an epic party bus. We stopped in Richmond for more beer, where rob ripped apart a massive weed bush. The party bus continued with much urination during flight, except Crogan who stood most of the time at the back holding is pecker. The night proved to be a massive sleep fest. 

On Sunday we opted for a shorter section with a easier shuttle so we could head off earlier. We put in above highover and paddle to 3.5. With a slightly lower level and everyone knowing the river we made it down with a lot less hassle. 

Thanks guys and girl. Awesome trip, awesome mates, awesome times.