With only one day left this year for the Lower Lech Gorge it could not have been better planned!
Blue skies, warm weather and a great water level gave us the perfect opportunity to make our final run for 2011.
The Lech Gorges are world class, not so well known outside of the German speaking kayaking community they are well worth the drive to come and kayak.
If the Lech Gorge was in North America, kayakers would not worry about jumping into their trucks and driving for hours to get to the put-in (ok the diesel is cheap and the roads more cruisey). For me, well, it is a cheeky 40 minute drive over a couple of mountain passes and I am there. For Team Peak UK kayaker John Blake the same can be said!
A quick walk down to the river brings you straight into the action. All the rapids are pool drop, technical and some prior knowledge is essential.
Set in a committing deep gorge you get the feeling of being very alone. A few glimpses of the road are on offer in some parts but otherwise it is you, your friends and one of the most spectacular gorges the Easter Alps has to offer!
A couple of must make lines are needed and towards the end of the run comes the notorious Turmzimmer. A 2 metre ledge forming a nasty hole that just wants to push you further and further left under the overhanging gorge wall! It is impossible to fully scout and you can forget portaging too. The first kayaker runs with no safety making the heart pump that slightly more harder and faster! If it does not, well, the climb out from the take-out to the road will certainly see you gasping for oxygen!
This has to be one of my favourite places on the planet, if you are ever over in Western Austria come on by and see why we rave so much about this amazing stretch of river!!
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