Jon
15-02-2007, 06:03 PM
The Lower Leven
Below the usual take out the river becomes exciting! First a steep sloping weir which is normally be run anywhere on the right-hand side and then all of a sudden Backbarrow Bridge is upon you. This grade 4 drop looks very intimidating with the river droping some 6m under the bridge with very few rescue points and once committed, no escape. In all but very high water levels the force of the water just pushes the paddler straight through which ever way up they may be. At high levels the water can recirculate under the bridge and provide an interesting swim.
Next up is Backbarrow Weir, a nasty two tier weir which is usually portaged on the left bank. I've seen the weir run and made to look very simple if you know where the 1m wide sweet spot is.
Next up is the pipe bridge, which can be a roll under job in high water. 200m downstream a concrete weir that is shot on the left down one of the two formed channels. The right hand side can form a very strong tow back while the two right channels can be fun to play in. Further down towards the A590 road bridge large standing waves form and make for an entertaining bouncy rapid albeit straight forward. Another weir and bigger standing waves and your at the take out at Low Wood, Haverthwaite.
9spAZ7eyr_Y
Check out the video above, all five paddlers made Backbarrow Bridge look easy! You also get a true paddlers perspective from the helmet camera on both Mill Force and Backbarrow Bridge.
Below the usual take out the river becomes exciting! First a steep sloping weir which is normally be run anywhere on the right-hand side and then all of a sudden Backbarrow Bridge is upon you. This grade 4 drop looks very intimidating with the river droping some 6m under the bridge with very few rescue points and once committed, no escape. In all but very high water levels the force of the water just pushes the paddler straight through which ever way up they may be. At high levels the water can recirculate under the bridge and provide an interesting swim.
Next up is Backbarrow Weir, a nasty two tier weir which is usually portaged on the left bank. I've seen the weir run and made to look very simple if you know where the 1m wide sweet spot is.
Next up is the pipe bridge, which can be a roll under job in high water. 200m downstream a concrete weir that is shot on the left down one of the two formed channels. The right hand side can form a very strong tow back while the two right channels can be fun to play in. Further down towards the A590 road bridge large standing waves form and make for an entertaining bouncy rapid albeit straight forward. Another weir and bigger standing waves and your at the take out at Low Wood, Haverthwaite.
9spAZ7eyr_Y
Check out the video above, all five paddlers made Backbarrow Bridge look easy! You also get a true paddlers perspective from the helmet camera on both Mill Force and Backbarrow Bridge.