June - a Road Trip and BIG Water on the Inn

June 2013

We were pretty busy over June, we managed to get some great kayaking in on some of the higher mountain runs including the Wolf's Gorge on the Rosanna - just don't tell anyone!!

It was then that we headed off on a Road Trip around Austria and also a quick visit to its neighbours of Germany and Switzerland.

The Giarsun Gorge is one of the best sections of Class IV river that the Alps has to offer.  Set in an impressive gorge there are plenty of rapids and is an absolute Alpine Classic

We have also been testing out Peak UK's new Bull Bag.  It has been completely re-designed, it comes with a strong piece of floating rope with a sheath and core and lets not forget all the stitching that goes throughout the bag with a metal ring making the Bull Bag a serious piece of rescue kit!

We spent a while in Styria over in the east of Austria.  I have great memories of working there and the surrounding area of Gesaeuse National Park is a stunning location!

The Enns was pumping and the Salza is just perfect for coaching and improving technique and river tactics!  Before we made the journey home a run on the Koppentraun one of Austria's favourite rivers is a must!

By the time we got back home to the Arlberg the sun was out and any thoughts of the previous months abundance of snowfall had completely disappeared!  It was hot and the snow was not just starting to melt but actually pour down from the mountains.

This left the rivers in thunderous conditions, huge water was around and no more than the Inn.  

The Schuls Gorge in the Engadine usually runs at around 40 cumecs and we were running it at 200 cumecs.  By the time we got to the Wall Rapid the dam owners were putting up a sign saying that in less than 1 hour they were going to open up all the gates, this has not happened in over 3 years!!

 By the time we got home we had a nice warm and sundowner paddle on our home river the Rosanna in St Anton am Arlberg.

Life is good and here is to that typical Austrian Summer of sunshine, blue skies, picture perfect postcards and the warmth that is on its way!!!