We drove to the Troutbeck, it was too low despite there being a heavy rainfall the night before.
We then drove to Grizedale Beck, after some inspection, we got our kit
on and met an interesting local. One crutch one walking stick, he was a character.
After saying that he hasn’t seen many, in fact any paddlers on this section we
were stoked!
First section was low and slotty, we all styled it spectacularly. I
came out backwards. And there were some loud sounds from paddles and boats
meeting rock.
We then got to the first main fall.
"Extreme Gradient. Overhanging trees,
fallen trees” said the guide.
Wasn’t an underestimate, Greg styled the
first main drop, then on the slot not so much but got away unscathed.
I however got pinned on the first drop,
after raping my boat I became free, did the first slide and had a breather,
went for the second slot and spectacularly got it wrong falling head first down
it. I then ended up facing back upstream with the water rushing over my head.
Less than ideal, I jumped into Greg’s arms, a little man love later, we set
about unpinning Shirley the Shiva. 5 different trees it took to get the best
angle, we managed to get it off. 5 to 1 mechanical advantage with three burly
guys pulling on it. 
Anyway then Earnie and Greg paddled down
some smaller but just as steep slides to the get out, but decided against
getting out and then we all got lost for a few hours.
Then at 3pm we decided to drive back to
the Troutbeck for a short blast down. Fearing it may still be a bit low and disappointing
we got there and it was in the trees, over the trees and around them, bigger
than any of us had run it before.
IT WAS AWESOME, was like being flushed
down a toilet for about 5-6km, and it was meaty.
We all hopped each other, and after watching
Earnie get thrown from the very right to the left and back again I braced and
it was epic. At this point it was getting dark and this was hard to see. I
ended up getting a cheeky eddy, breaking back in I caught some serious speed
and ended up ramming Greg’s boat with Shirley and kindly knocking him through
the large hole (what a guy!) I stopped
for some playtime. I didn’t want to play, and got played with for quite some
time, after an unintentional loop and a roll I was popped out in a big way, and
hit my head several times whilst underwater, on my back deck I pushed myself
out of my boat and then swam. Shirley the filthy tree hugger is still in the
Troutbeck attached to a tree.
I had to go run the shuttle as it was
now pitch black, good job I had my trusty scooter to make the shuttle quicker,
and somewhat scarier than the river itself.
The pieces were found. Two boats racked
on the car, and a quick call to the police meant we were on our way home.
Hence, why I need to go paddling in the
lakes again this week to retrieve my boat.
All in all a great day out, if a little expensive for me.
Now for the double bootie beer.
Liam
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