sa-updates

Updates to White Water South Alps

Severaise
I recommend the Chalet Giorbenay at the head of the valley for an excellent meal in stunning surroundings. (demi-pension there is only 33 euros - what a bargain for such a superb location). ` Peter Knowles, 30th June 2003

New Nasty rapid on the Chateau Queyras Gorge - July 2003
This new rapid was formed by a rock fall on the final bend of the shear sided gorge. You cannot land to scout or inspect and the drop cannot be viewed from the road, or from downstream. Once you decide to run the gorge you are probably committed to run this nasty drop.

Paddlers have been running it at higher levels in perhaps relative safety but it will probably have some nasty pin potentials at lower levels. Best line when we looked at
it in medium levels appeared to be by a curving slide down the extreme right into a
stopper. Centre lands you on some rocks. Left drops you in an undercut
recirculating pot. We 3 paddlers all looked at this from the new via ferrata that traverses the cliffs of the gorge - and we did not like the look of the rapid one bit.

Upstream is pretty flat and although there are no eddies, and the cliff sides are smooth and shear, it is possible to approach the lip of the drop to make a rough scout from upstream whilst back paddling

Best bet is to hire some via ferrata gear and look for yourself - and
have some fun whist so doing - this is an easy and scenic via ferrata.

Pete Knowles,

Nasty Alps Hazard - River Gyr - June 8th 2003
'Have just paddled the River Gyr in the French Alps. There are at least two steel girders approximately two thirds of the way down the run. There is a relatively flat section prior to the river flowing out of sight around a large boulder in the centre of the river making egress easy for an inspection.
The first girder is almost vertical approximately 5 foot in length (see photo, right of the paddler) and the second is only 8 inches above the surface (at the level we ran it). This is in addition to the usual trees one of which is in the same rapid as the steel work just below the surface.
This area is only a 5 minute walk up stream from the egress point at the end of the run. A path runs up the rivers left hand bank. Regards, Richard Moore'
Courtesy of www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk
Summer 2003. Verdon releases are planned for Fridays and also perhaps Tuesdays.
Robin Knapp reports that water releases for rafting are planned throughout the summer starting this week (June 16th) at between 10 and 15 cumecs. Every Friday, and maybe Tuesday as well. Check with the tourist office in Castelane.