North Cascades Kayak Tour 11-20 June 2010

Flew into Seattle, picked up truck and camper and 2 days on collected Phil Dicken from the airport at Seatac.
First run was on the Washington Green River Gorge 3/4. Doug surfing.

Heading down the Wenatchee River at Leavenworth, Washington.

Alex Carlson, over from Port Angeles, on the wave.

Surfing river style with a difference,,,,look out for that raft!!

Chilling out at my land at Icicle Creek

Phil, Doug and Chris get ready for the Upper Foss River.

The steep section of the Foss was pushing class 5.

Ingall's Creek and Peshastin River and the main event, "Fresh Squeezed".

Doug surfs the put in wave on the Methow River at high water.

Similkameen Falls in Canada.

Upper Similkameen River at high water.

Phil with the landowner at the put in for Similkameen Canyon run

Similkameen Canyon run, a 40 km spectacular. Very pumpy water!! Committing.


Similkameen Canyon run is inescapable through all the harder canyons at high water.

This one needed a scout, some we could not scout!!

Chris takes a huge grade 5 down the central line. Big holes to miss!!!!

A more scenic and benign run on the Chehalis River, B.C., Canada

Statlu Creek run into the Chehalis.

Back to big water on the Chilliwack Canyon

From Chilliwack we returned to Washington for a run on the Sauk River to finish.
A great trip with great water levels.

Great Glen Canoe trip 5-6 June 2010

Guiding Claire Hopkins and two friends from Edinburgh and Leeds on a two day venture down the Great Glen by canoe. Put in at Fort Augustus and paddled the canal to Loch Oich, then on through the canal to a camp site at north end of Loch Lochy.

A fine evening in camp.

Overnight the wind switched from headwind to a significant following wind and we were glad to make it down the loch to the River Lochy.

After passing the locks at Gairlochy we portaged over and into the River Lochy.
Although low water, we finished with a nice run down the Lochy.

The challenge of moving water added excitement to an already exciting day and we finished with a descent, for the two girls, each with Chris, of Torcastle Rapid which was very tight.

Rum and Canna 31st May & 1st June 2010

As a birthday treat, took Sally on a surprise visit to the Small Isles. Left the car at Banavie and took the train west to Mallaig and boarded the ferry for Rum.

A perfect day for a sea passage!

Visited Isle of Eigg en route, seen here with the hills of Rum rising behind.

Hiking the hills on the north side of Rum.


Stayed at Kinloch Castle, where there is a hostel with double rooms and meals.

Two days later we took the ferry out to Canna and had a short walk on this pretty island.

Before catchjing the boat again for Mallaig.


Lovely wee church on Canna. A very enjoyable few days. Must go again!!

Ardmair Sea Kayaking 22-23 May 2010

Weekend spent day tripping with folks from Moray, based out of Ardmair, west of Ullapool.

Nice paddles in Isle Martin region, exploring the fine shoreline under Ben Mhor Coigach in particular.