River trips

3.4 metres ........ 13 January 2007

Getting big - the water was over the top of the gauge at Burnmouth, it was identifiable by the small wave over the top of it. I could just see the white paint on the top edge of the gauge through the water, and guessed there was about 200mm / 8" of water over it.

However I must have been on happy pills that day, because I had no concerns about running the river at this level, even though it was bigger than last week. It was a good run.

Linn

At this level the main channel and the next one on the right are one big river - the rocks between them are well covered, and I have no idea if there is a route down.

I didn`t go over to the third channel, so again, I have no idea whether there is a route down.

The fourth channel has a very large and meaty stopper over most of its width. It looked horrible when sitting beside it, looking along it. However from the top of the rocks on the river right, it appeared that there are two routes down it. The first one is hard river left, and is actually a slightly rocky chicken run, which would be very easy, if you can get on to it. Just above it there is a strong diagonal left to right current, which is washing you into the stopper. The other possible route is right down the centre into the stopper - right in the middle there is a seam in the stopper which is flowing downstream. If you get the line exactly right, within half a metre, then you would get through the stopper. However the river may make a bit of a meal of you on the way through.

Linn bypass

The Linn bypass is a good run, but requires a fair bit of route picking to avoid trees, so at least grade 3 and a bit. The first exit is quite straightforward, but a bit rough at the bottom end.

However unlike at lower levels, the second exit is the better route - there is enough water for you to go round the trees that cause problems at lower levels, and there is a narrow fast twisting route down - good fun !

Wall

No wall. Practically no island either !

Wave right hand side of wall

River left was washed out, in the middle there was a hole, and there were some waves river right, which didn`t appear to be worth trying to surf.

Weir

The weir requires a lot of care - there is a green wave below the main chute - however it is dangerous. It is much shorter than at lower levels, and there is a strong left to right current which will take you straight into the stopper river right. The only safe route is to go down to the left of the green wave, heading diagonally left. Reading the water quickly and correctly is an essential skill here.

And yet again - I make no apologise for repeating this again - the stoppers below the weir are large and holding - getting the wrong line down the weir will probably result in death, as I have no idea how you would rescue someone who is stuck in the stopper. If there is the slightest possibility that someone might get the wrong line down the weir, they should portage the weir.

Rapid down to Hell Hole corner

Coming down the centre presented few problems. There are some odd bits and pieces river left which may be playable.

Hell Hole corner

The chicken run hard river right was very easy, just as before. At the hole which stretches out across the river from the right hand bank, just 1 metre out from the bank, there was a fast green chute. Below this was one small wave, and then the rest of the run down Hell Hole corner tight against the right bank was absolutely flat. However it was actually easier to move a bit left and pick up the current.

Viewed from the river right bank, there was a substantial green wave in amongst the rather confused water over on the river left side of Hell Hole corner. Some slalom boats were having a good time surfing it.

Thistlebrig

Thistlebrig is fairly washed out at this level, but is quite rough - there are significant waves river left with good play potential. As before, the easiest run down is to stay right of centre down past the white water on each side of you.

Wave below Thistlebrig

Fast, and too washed out for my kayak. The foam pile on the right side of the may be good for play boating, I didn`t see any action on it.

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