Saturday on the Road

[Ricki]

After meeting at Harry Tuffins in Church Stoke, Rich D, John, Ollie, Steve M, Geoff and I, we all decided to check out the Afon Dulas, with a view of dropping to the reliable Vyrnwy should the levels be poor. All agreed.

For those who are not familiar with the Afon Dulas, the river runs into the Afon Dyfi (or River Dovey in English) at Ffrid Gate, with the Dulas running from hills above Aberllefenni, and the Dyfi from Creiglyn Dyfi and Aran Fawddwy (This is a wild camp area I have previously completed….http://v-g.me.uk/Trips/T0930/T0930.htm). Both Dyfi and Dulas rivers are from separate tributaries, and only one has a level gauge…..The Dyfi. The Dulas is one of the clearest rivers I’ve paddled and has a light blue colour to it which you normally get from alpine rivers.

Three inspections (Ffrid Gate, Forge Bridge and the picnic site) confirmed the river was low. We agreed that another half foot to foot (or 152.5mm-305mm for the young ones) would be needed to ensure the river was at a decent level. Rich D has photos of a slab at the get in which can be used for this purpose (if only we had a webcam!). Anyhow, it certainly provided a very good insight into the river.
From Aberllefenni down some exceptionally narrow roads, we drove to the Vyrnwy. The drive to the Vyrnwy was a delight, with Cader Idris, Tal-y-llyn, and the road to Dinas being an exceptional drive. A short inspection at the Twrch at Foel and then onto the Pont Robert. All had a moan at this point, as expected!
The Vyrnwy was also on 1.44 at Pont Robert, but this time runnable. We all got quickly kitted out and on the river just before the gorge. All paddled through the enjoyable gorge section and down to Pont Robert. At many points of the journey of course, references were made to levels being good, the drive home being no too far, and the Dart trip being able the same.

In conclusion, we managed to get the paddle we originally planned, we developed useful knowledge of the Dulas, and managed to get back around 17:30! I personally look forward to running the Dulas over the next month or so….let there be rain! Yes, the drive was in excess of the kayaking, but we all seemed to have a fun day!

Rickster

[Tim]

I wouldnt follow Ricki if he said there was water in the wombourne canal let
alone the Dulas! Sounds like a lovely drive around. I think its one the AA recommend. Weve all made mistakes with river levels. Not to worry.

[Ricki]

Of course we have made many mistakes with river levels. However, in this senario, I’m not accepting blame or fault from any one….not even the miserable moaning moos’ I managed to hang out with on Saturday ;-). Everyone was pre-warned of uncertainty and was very committed to exploration. Ollie even took his car to the Dulas just in case the back-up plan was to be initiated…..which of course it was. Even Steve M had to endure an extra-over time in the car with me and he stopped talking half-way back due to a headache….poor man!

On a serious note, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and hope to do it again in the near future, with some water. I also look forward to some trips on the local canal.

[Nigel]

How long have you been working for the Welsh Tourist Board, Rickster. That Journey deserves to be the 8th Wonder of the World!!
Always smiling Rickster, always smiling !!!!

[Ricki]

I’m always smiling as you know 🙂

I love the detail…..the Dulas area is amazing for wild camping expo’s. If you want, I can arrange a winter expo if you fancy it? We could do the above route, or a gentle stroll as a group in the Northern Arans (http://v-g.me.uk/Trips/T0912/T0912.htm).

[admin]

I’ve had a call from the Welsh Tourist Board who want me to write up our trips to encourage more visitors. What do you think ?

[Ricki]

I’d tell them to to shut-up.

[admin]

I’ll bear that in mind
.

[Richard D]

Thanks for the report Ricki, it certainly showed great detail and although we did more miles than needed it was a pleasant drive. More of us now know the access and egress points on the Dulas and it certainly looks a beautiful river that we will no doubt return to soon. We also learned that the Machynlleth gauge on the Dyfi needs to be above 1.55 and the Dulas (Severn-Llanidloes) gauge at Rhos-y-pentref would need to be above 0.9. So some useful information was gleaned from Saturday’s expedition and the day ended with another very enjoyable paddle on the Vyrnwy.

[Ricki]

Thanks Rich. Yes, another enjoyable paddle with all.

A webcam on that slab would also be nice!

I still haven’t heard from Mr Mason and his headache. He brought me a bottle for my birthday and had to put up with me all day!

[Steve]

Hi Ricki, I’m alive and well mate; curry night was a bit subdued but I did eventually recover. Hope you had a good dinner too and keep smiling. Thanks again for the lift and good company.

[Author]

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