The Etive Strikes Back

On a beautiful and dry morning, five paddlers set out for Glen Etive, as the only river likely to run. En route up the west coast, river after river was running lower than we'd ever seen them, so it seemed as though another Paul Walker low Etive was on the cards.

However, upon arrival at the Etive, we discovered that although low, it was not as dog low as anticipated.

Triple falls went slightly better than expected, with no swims, bur yet Euan once again mucking up the third of triple (at the time saying it was his most hated rapid).

Me on Triple

Moving on, Letterbox provided no real obstacle, but before we reached Crack of Doom, Euan lived up to the reputation that Paddy's boats have aquired over the years, and got pinned in a seemingly impossible position.

Euan's awesome pin

Neither of the Cracks' provided any hassle....aside from Sean backlooping, which is apparently par for the course when in a Stretch, and Emma waiting for one more T-rescue.

Me at the Crack of Doom

Ski-jump, with its daunting horizon line actually caused no problems at all...yet the Great Waterslide, arguably the most fun of all the rapids on the Etive was met with hilarity as Sean lost his paddles down it, and while in persuit, I ended up traversing it backwards. Thankfully, due to a slight change from the norm, Euan had the splits in his boat, so Sean got to use them and (with a fairly red face) collected his paddles at the bottom. Not satisfied with the lack of coordination already displayed, Euan once again decided to abuse Paddy's former boat....this time plowing it head first into the cliff face!!

Euan battering his boat at the Great Water Slide

Finally, after what seemed like an endless trip, we arrived at Right Angle. Sean immediately jumped out to inspect, and while I talked Emma through the way to handle the 24 foot drop, Euan gave it a go....and boofed it. Suffice it to say, he swam, climbed up to the top of the fall, and lay there for a while.

Trying to look cheery

I dropped down to collect his stuff, and in an uncharacteristic display, not only failed a high brace, but didn't pop my deck while upside down and rolled! Score!! After convincing words from myself and Sean, Emma gave the drop a go. Two roll attempts followed, but a second bow rescue staved off a swim. Sean followed so that he had completed the river too.

Sean's run of Right Angle

Climbing back up to check on our wounded comrade, we found him walking about, if not altogether painlessly. After a quick discussion, we decided to head back, and advised Euan to check into a hospital....he reluctantly agreed at the time. By the time we returned to Glasgow, he was somewhat more willing.

Unfortunately, the hospital discovered that Euan had suffered some spinal compression and fractured one of his vertiba, this will prevent him kayaking for some time, put him off the river Etive for the time being, and definately added to the injury list caused by this beautiful river...

On the bright side, Emma and Peter are both advocates of the Etive after their no-swim trip.

Peter and Emma at the end of the day

Till next time,

Paul