RIVER DART - UPPER SECTION
All these images (below) were taken on a river level corresponding to the water lapping over the slab at New Bridge, a good "medium" flow rate.
1st Ramp
On the map this marked as "A. Ledge" which has two small drops. The first is a ledge with a fierce looking towback and the image shows the second part which is an impressive green ramp.
Lucky Tor
This is "B. Lucky Tor Rapid" which starts at the left hand channel of an island and Lucky Tor can be seen through the trees near the river bank. The end of the rapid has a fiesty breaking hydraulic with a large eddy on the right.
Surf wave
This is a classic friendly surf wave on the map marked "C. Playwave". Here the wave is surfed by a Big Dog Force. There are plenty of eddies and space to warm up for the harder rapids ahead....At the end of this section you will see a huge hill overlooking the river
Broad Ledges
The below image is the landmark telling of the start of the approach to Broad Ledges (Map "D. Broad Ledges"). Mel Tor can be seen on the skyline to the right and it is indicated on the map. To inspect the rapids you must eddy out now. Broad Ledges will at certain river levels become a river wide powerful hydraulic and it can be run with prior knowledge of the hydrology. Note at Braod Ledges a tributary enters on the left and it is a potential exit route heading North up to bisect Rowbrook track.
The rapids continue with a series of challenging ledge drops (Map "E. Ledge Drops") which are difficult to read and run from your boat. For the creekboater who likes to take "inspired lines" some of the holes are reluctant to release. Many an experienced boater has been given a good thrashing and rinsing amongst these drops.
Euthanasia
In due course you approach an island and the right hand channel leads to Euthanasia Rapid (Map "F. Euthanasia). There is a good eddy after the approach rapid and before the main drop which is there even in very high water.
This view is from the rock at this eddy looking down the main drop. There are many ways to run this, the classic being down the centre/right ramp leading to be pin-balled left on a right angle rock bend. Another is here...
...boofing off the right hand ledge landing into the main flow; at very high water this is no longer a boof but a climb onto a huge seam! If the river level is over two steps at New Bridge then beyond the exit from this rapid creates an unexpected huge problematic hydraulic! In this area of the river the potential exit by foot out of the gorge is on river left heading North-East up the steep valley side for 400 metres to bisect a track which contours round the hill.
The following rapid has a suberb finale. In med/high water it has an impressive lateral wall of water on the right and curling wave on the left; in the right conditions this latter feature can provide a "360degrees cork screw" barrel-roll experience - images to follow next time the river is up!
Sharrah Pool (Surprise Surprise)
The final sting in the tail is Surprise Surprise rapid which finishes at Sharrah Pool (Map "G. Sharrah Pool).
The approach is the left hand channel of an island with a tricky drop shown in this image which can create surprising consequences; at low water boat broaches and pins in mid-drop are common. If you take the right hand channel it can be run but the route is tight and rocky. Note the tree on the left bank which has been there since Autumn 2008. From this pool there is a footpath on river right which follows the valley down to New Bridge.
Please read....
The sketch map of the Upper Dart gives vital information for kayakers to use in case of an emergency. The position of each of the major rapids is indicated as a eight figure OS grid reference. The major rapids are marked on the river so their position can be related to the surrounding ground. In an emergency a kayaker can identify the nearby rapids and gauge their position on the map and thus establish an exit route and also give rescuers an exact location point if a rescue is required. For those attempting the river we suggest download & print the map, laminate it and keep it in your ba/pfd.
Footpaths and tracks are marked by a dotted line. Note that at Sharrah Pool there is a path and so a possible exit route on river right. Note between Dartmeet and Sharrah Pool the closest paths are on river left but after Lucky Tor access requires a climb up steep ground
Download & print the map here
