Swim fest on the Etive

I would like to begin by apologizing for the fact that this article/post/whatever it is may not be fully accurate in the exact number and order of swims, it’s just that there were so many that I don’t exactly remember but it should total roughly fourteen.

It was the first intermediate trip of the year so John, Michael, Euan, Gregor, Paul, Paddy, Sean, Mark, Rachel and myself headed for the only place there might be water, Glen Etive (Ali was supposed to come but was too hung over). Had something interesting happened on the journey I would tell you about it, but nothing did happen so we’re going to start at triple. The first swim came after the second drop after Paul had a minor back looping incident. The second drop also necessitated (not sure that’s even a word) a roll from Rachel, Mark and possibly Gregor. The third drop didn’t actually claim any swimmers but Mark needed a T rescue after a cavalier pencil straight down the middle approach to the drop.

Upon arrival at letterbox Sean decided to run it before we’d had time to set up bank safety, he swam and we laughed. I can’t believe that there was only one swim here but I can’t remember any more so we’ll have to move on to Ski Jump where no one swam. Then came Crack of Doom. Paddy went first and swam. Gregor went next and was so determined not to swim that he ran the very shallow rock slide after it on his head, then he swam. I think Sean was the only other swimmer at this point.

On the way down to Crack of dawn Gregor swam, causing me to shout ‘swimmer’ in a very unnecessary, high pitched way. At crack of dawn many of the group, instead of just seal launching, threw their boats in then had to swim after them, but we won’t count those as swims. Just around the corner was an unnamed rapid of absolutely no size or consequence, which caused carnage. Mark, Gregor and Paul all managed to swim while Michael, Paddy and I all had to roll (maybe Rachel did as well, I don’t remember). Rock slide went well, no swims.

Only John, Rachel and I were brave/ foolish/ drunk on a sense of invincibility enough to have a go at right angle. John went first and despite a roll at the bottom was fine. I went next and decided that it was time I chipped in for the swim count after boofing, capsizing, rolling, capsizing and finally not rolling (I lost a shoe in the process, so if anyone finds one it’s mine). Rachel pulled off a spectacular face plant which blew her deck, one more swim.

After running corner falls Rachel, John, Michael and I walked up to run the Allt a’Choariainn. Rachel had clearly developed a taste for both face plants and swimming as she did both following a spectacular upside down landing off Speed. Next came Extacy, Michael rolled and Rachel swam. Only Michael and I did pinball and remarkably there were no swims just a lot of rock smashing. We finished the day with Chasm which Rachel ran straight into a rock and swam.

I’m sure I’ve missed a swim or two so I would urge anyone who’s swim was not mentioned to come clean and post it on the forum in the appropriate place.