Wednesday started slightly slower than the previous days – partly due to not leaving the pub until almost 0100 and partly due to no decision having been made as to which river to paddle today. Eventually we chose to head to Etive, but that was quickly changed to the Braan Gorge. Around 0900 we finally set off.

We had seen that the level was low, but we hoped that there would be enough water to paddle it. It sounded like an investing run – one definite portage around grade 6 Hermitage Falls, and potentially two other portages around a grade 5 and a grade 5+ rapid – all within a two kilometre run!

Arriving at the get-out to inspect the three potential portages, we spent a considerable amount of time looking at potential lines and portage points before all coming to the same conclusion – the river was slightly too low. There was too many rocks showing which would have made running it very dangerous. A few more inches of water to cover the worst of the rocks and it would have been a go-er.

Unsure of which other rivers in the vicinity would be running, we eventually decided on the dam-release Lower Tummel. According to one guide, this was paddleable on the minimum compensation flow from the dam. When we arrived at the get on, this was the level we were greated with so we got on. Having paddled it now, I would disagree that it was paddleable at this level. It was a bump-and-scrape most of the way down, with only the Linn of Tummel rapid providing interest. This was a double-drop rapid dropping 3-4 metres in total. A few members of the group discovered a little rock shelf upon landing the bottom drop on the left-hand side. Taking the bottom drop on the right offered a great opportunity to practice your boofs. We all ran this rapid multiple times to practice moves and try various lines. The worst line on the top drop came courtesy of Ken, who went for a fancy flair move but just ended up running the drop upside down. Winner of the worst line on the bottom drop was Simon, who bounced hard off the rock shelf. Having had our fill of fun, we moved on for the little flat water paddle to the get-out before heading to find a tea shop in Pitlochry.

Waking up we were somewhat surprised to see the ground around our chalets covered with snow. Now, seeing the ground all white was not helping with the motivation for getting all cold and wet on river! Negating this, we headed across to the Orchy. Upon arrival the motivation was no higher and only half the group decided they were man enough to get on the river. Those not paddling were either going to the tea shop to keep warm or being camera vultures for the day. By the time we were changed and getting on the water, I had already lost feeling in my hands! Despite the cold, Vicky decided that she fancied a swim on the first grade 4 rapid. The remainder of the rapids before the first grade 5, some fun read-and-run grade 4, all passed without incident. This rapid did not look particularly pleasant, with the left line going into a stopper, right line going into rock and the centre line difficult to attain. Only Ken decided to run this rapid, opting for the left line through the stopper. We set up safety cover which was not required as he passed through the stopper without any problems.

Continueing downstream more read-and-run grade 4 followed before we arrived at the second grade 5, which was a drop into a smalll pool with a nasty stopper across all but a narrow line down the left hand side. Having made it down the drop whilst avoiding the clutches of the stopper the next part of the rapid was quickly upon you – a sweeping drop along a cushion wave into the pool at the bottom of the rapid. I decided to run this first. Clearing the top drop with a nice boof, I was straight into the sweeping cushion wave and quickly into the pool below with a big grin on my face. Ken, Doug, Phil all made it to the bottom upright. Vicky made it down, although she flipped on the cushion wave and rolled up in the pool. Ol flipped in the pool halfway down and ran the remainer of the rapid upside down – rolling up in the pool at the bottom. Ian got backlooped on the first drop, but managed to roll up before the sweeping cushion wave which up precededed to run backwards and flipped again part way down.

Next up we headed back to the Arkaig so that those not fortunate enough to enjoy it on Monday could find out for themselves why we were all still buzzing from it. Unfortunately for them, the level had dropped slightly which meant that, whilst the river was still big and great fun, it was not as good the day before. Knowing what was coming up also took some of the excitement out of it. Managing to successfully avoid the big hole, I turned around to see almost the entire group drop into the hole and emerge upside down. Both Stuart and Fred took a little swim. For those for whom this was their first experience it provided a similar feeling as it did for us on Monday. It was now time to head back to the chalets for some celebratory beers.

The remainder of the journey to our accommodation in Roy Bridge was fairly uneventful, with just the heavy rain to contend with.

Following dinner, we headed to the pub for a swift drink, which very quickly turned into considerably more than just the one. Having decided to head east to the Blackwater today, and with the clocks going back, an early start was required – 8am was decided on. That would have been a lot more pleasant had some of us not been suffering sneaky hangovers.

The river starts of with Milton Falls – a nice, technical 4-drop rapid – a perfect warm up! The only incident suffered here was a certain Mr Surman having his deck pop in the first drop, requiring a quick empty. We continued downstream until we arrived at the entrance to the gorge. Vicky went first and nailed the line. I went next, and all was going well until I failed to get across to the desired line above the 3rd drop of the rapid. Dropping down where I was, I landed sideways in the stopper at the bottom, surfed along that to escape, before getting spun around and running the final drop backwards. My first ever attempt at a backwards boof failed miserably as I completely subbed before managing a nice backwards pop-out. Everyone else made it down with issue – with the exception of the same Mr Surman, who decided it looked to easy, had to limbo under a tree which separated him from his paddles leaving him to run the remaining 2 drops with paddles. It looked like he was going to make it successfully – until capsizing at the bottom of the final drop and swimming. We later discovered that Stuart and Phil had also taken a little swim each around the same place. The river then eased off with just one raped of note remaining. Both Ian and Ben managed to pin temporarily, but managed to free themselves.

We are now driving back to Roy Bridge, the temperature is a balmy 1.5 degrees and we are admiring all the snow that has fallen on the higher ground around us. Drying our kit is not looking like an easy task – leaving it out on porch will more than likely see up with ice blocks for kit in the morning. Hmmm… maybe not.

The time has come around again to head north to the land of bagpipes and haggis – Scotland.

The outlook for the week is considerably different to the low water levels were had last year. The west coast has seen a generous helping of rain over the last week or so which has seen some very high levels. We are hoping that levels drop off slightly to enable us to do some of the more classic runs.

Currently we (Simon, Dave and myself) are travelling up the M6 somewhere around Manchester. It is raining, cold, the traffic is heavy and we have another 316 miles to go. It is going to be a long day.