Usual start of late, meet at Dobbies, 09-15 am and discuss and agree a venue to paddle.
After last weeks disappointment our luck had changed, the “Afon Alwen”, was on 0.92 on the Druid gauge, so our decision was made. Heading along the A5 through Corwen past the “Rhug estate”, which is the get out point in the lane which was the Old A5, onward we went until we reached a sharp right hand bend, which on the right houses the “Goat Pub” and on the left is the “Afon Cierw”, we turned right immediately alongside the pub and followed the lane approximately one and half miles then took a left turn just before an old stone bridge and on our right was the put in, right on the river bank. We got on the water around 11-10am and headed under the stone bridge taking the left fork in the river. The Guide book doesn’t rate this river as a worthwhile trip, on behalf of our group of 12 who paddled it today we disagree, this really is a very nice testing piece of water with some great features and plenty of obstacles to trip up anyone who lapses concentration. A good grade 3 feature with some great sized waves and big boulders to navigate to mention just one. A couple of trees down which needed care to get round but nothing major and the biggest is easy to portage river right and rejoin the flow around 10 metres below the tree.
The main weir is recommended as a portage, which we did and it looked quite nasty as the level appeared to have risen since we set off .
A windy day and spells of rain along the way but nothing we aren’t used to, the section from the nasty weir brings us to the last feature and the takeout which is a grade 3 drop just under the Old stone bridge crossing the A5, adjacent to the “Rhug estate” the ideal takeout is river right as access to the lane is easy and plenty of room to park etc without showing any naked cheeks to the local sheep and upsetting them !
The time at takeout was approx 1-40pm, which considering a couple of swims and boat rescues, myself being the main swimmer on one occasion, we made good time.
We were joined by a few members of Stourbridge Arm Canoe Club, Mick Bloomer Tom and young James, the “Wombles” were Rich D, Barry, John, Dave, Rob, Gary, Geoff, Kee and Myself. Another great day lots of challenges and the usual fun, banter and frolicks, thanks to all hope you enjoyed the trip SACC. As a note the level went up to 1.30 last night, imagine paddling it on that …? Cheers 😉
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