Day 5 - First day in the Canyon
Everyone's
super excited as we set of into the canyon. 2 rafts, 7 kayaks. We are
all well oiled kayaking machines, setting off into the relatively
unknown, helming two 18 foot beast loaded with excessive supplies.
 |
| Heading of into the unknown |
As
the canyon walls build so to do the smiles. Andy and Rob take on the
first challenge of mastering the art of rafting and it isn't long until we
reach our first rapid. Hovering high upstream the rafts wait as we
scout the lines, find the best picture and video spots and prepare for
our first team whitewater descents. The rapids grade 5. Absolutely
terrified at first we approach it before realizing it is not the British
grading system and 5 out of 6 but instead is the canyons own unique
grade system 5 out of 10 and is actually closer in difficulty to a
British grade 2+/3. Excited me, James and Scout head down and enjoy the
big bouncy high volume gem of a rapid scooting around holes and flying
over waves before punching the eddy lines and grabbing the cameras. Next
up its the rafts, Rob first followed by Andy spinning his way down
momentarily pausing at each hole!
 |
| JB and Claireo dropping into the lead into to one of the first rapids |
Styled it? Maybe not! But completed
it? Yes! A successful descent for all. Once again everyone's buzzing!
 |
| Andy figuring out how to control the 18 foot raft whilst been eaten by a big hole on one of the early grade 5 rapids |
Not
quite up to making the eddy the boys plough on into the sun filled
canyon. The weathers hot (warm) about 20 C. I've ditched the dry suit
for a short sleeve cagdeck and it's perfect. My new fun runner is
awesome, loads of speed, easy to move around and the perfect size it's
great.
We stop for lunch and tuck into a feast of food. Ceiba
have provided us with kit including food and oh my god what a great job
they have done. Everything has been thought about from condiments, to
tables. I the planning stages we were each asked our food preferences
and our eating amounts. Despite loving my food I opted for normal as the
portion option as a posed to huge. All the lads had selected huge and
at lunch we found out Rob had also changed mine to huge to make sure we
would have enough food! We had forgotten its an American outfitter
providing food for the appetites of American rafters. We have an insane
amount of food. All fitted perfectly into daily boxes, snack pouches,
bags and crates. Dinner tonight was lovely 2 chicken breast and 13
massive salmon fillets between 9 of us, marinated with spice, served
with rice and broccoli followed by biscuits and fruit after a starter of
Pringles.
 |
| Coffee break |
Sat around burning embers, on a fire mat of course
to collect the embers (park rules) we watch the sun set over the canyon
walls, listen to the wind and water in the canyon and enjoy sharing
story's and adventures. Accompanied by Antoine on the guitar. What a
day!
 |
| Check out the amazin Canyon walls all around the campsite |
posted by claireo at
6:58 PM
<< Home