Boys Trip down the Wye

This is not a sexist article; it`s just that we couldn`t persuade any girls to come!

Following our mini winter trip in February, we thought why not do something similar but a little longer, and so we decided on the Wye starting from Hay on Wye and finishing at Ross on Wye, about 60 miles.

The culprits consisted of myself, Mick (Slipknot) Wall, Andy (rubber gloves) Lilley, Major General Ray Bailey and his subordinate son, Robert - a hero for putting up with a bunch of middle and old aged paddlers, Dave (I`m nearly a dad) Morton, John (Yukon) O`Connell, Steve Marshall (a frequent flyer to the USA - if you need kit give a phone call), and Tony (the Epic man - see a previous article).

Those paddling the full three days met up at the Little Chef near Symmonds Yat, apologies to Ray as I was not aware there are two Little Chefs on this road! Our small convoy drove to the egress and left a car and then on to Hay where boats were loaded and off we set.

The weather forecast was good but strong east and north-easterly winds were to be expected - we were not disappointed! We soon settled down to paddling loaded boats with 3 doubles and 2 solos.

For those of you who have acquired the new BCU Handbook there is a good chapter about travelling and I did try to take the advice on sorting one`s kit into 3 sections:-
1. Stuff you use daily
2. Stuff you use occasionally
3. Stuff you never use.
The trick is to reject 2 & 3. You will be surprised at how you can lighten your load.

During the first day the expected winds arrived and John had to abandon his solo attempt in an Old Town 174 - yes a 174 - and double up, towing a boat. The 174 comes in for some stick, but as a doubles touring boat it proved its worth.

Our first camping site was adjacent to the river, but with a steep bank to access it - but with willing hands all the boats were hefted up. The site can best be described a s basic - a small field with a cold water tap.

Mick & I had bivvies and the others had small tents. Food was soon under way. A variety of stoves were in use. John had made himself collapsible stove which ran on wood, Ray had a brand new Coleman stove which didn`t work too well and the rest of us had the trusty Trangia.

The local pub seemed a good idea, more so because it sells Brains Beer - I`m a Cardiff boy!. We now had to talk Steve in as he was motoring down from Warrington. Clearly his newly acquired mountain leadership skills came in handy as he found us on our way back to camp.

I am a fan of bivvy sheets, but in high winds the flapping of the nylon is a tad annoying! There was no sign of anyone having an early morning strip wash under the cold tap, more a tentative face splash.

We struck camp, well Steve and Andy eventually got their boat onto the water, and off we set for day 2. The wind soon picked up again and again it was necessary to tow one boat so that everybody paddled doubles. Lunch was had opposite Weir House, a large National Trust property.

From here the wind was head on and very strong and tiring. There was only one stretch where the wind was behind us and David & I returned to solo boats and kept at it when the river looped again and brought the wind into our faces. However camp 2 was not far away.

I am now going to embarrass Mick and John who on their way into Hereford were taking their turn at towing David`s immaculate Alan Bridges designed and built ‘Teal’.

David & I were paddling doubles in my Legend 15 and were ahead of Mick & John. As we looked upstream I was having some difficulty in seeing the ‘Teal’. I assumed this was a line of sight problem, but then we both realised there was no second boat. We thought the job of towing in the wind had become impossible and they had secured the boat to the bank and were paddling towards us to tell us of the problem. However as we paddled towards them we saw the ‘Teal’ sat in the middle of the river some way upstream. For some unknown reason the tow had become undone and the head wind was so strong they had not noticed it. Let me say now that if I had to be dangled over a cliff I would choose Mick to tie the knots - well I used to! (Mick answers this libel towards the end).

We recovered the boat and using a better granny knot and headed off for Hereford and lunch.

The second camp was on a full facility site with hot showers and a take-away - bliss. I am quite happy to take luxury when offered.

Tony joined us on Sunday, day 3. The winds had abated a little but just in case, David`s wife ( 3 weeks to go ) met us and took away one boat. We only came across on stretch where paddling solo was not an option and the ‘mother ship’, otherwise known as a 174, came to the rescue and took on board 3 paddlers and towing duties.

The river eventually looped to give us wind at our backs and we even managed to rig down-wind sails. Ross soon came into view and we finished our journey just upstream of the town.
A note from Mick:-

I didn’t take a boat on this trip, but I had a fantastic time. Paddling doubles meant that though I started out in the back of Bob’s legend with him in front, I ended up by having paddled that boat solo, and Yukon John’s 174 in various configurations with up to 3 people and their gear in it. Variety is the spice of life for me, also I got to hear many fascinating aircraft carrier jokes.

I love my nice boats dearly, but if as on this occasion you consider leaving your own boat at home, firstly paddling doubles will windproof any trip (an essential if you’re up against The Curse of the House of Andrews) and secondly you can swap about and try various boats, all good experience! As a bonus, double packing can also make the shuttle much easier.

Speaking of experience, though I didn’t tie the knot that parted, I did check it, so mea culpa. If you’re in any doubt about a knot, retie it and save a red face or worse.

For the sadder amongst us, the guilty knot was some kind of round turn/hitch combo; the one I used that worked was a bowline with a stopper knot on the tail.

In high winds, tow using a bridle with the loop about 6” back from the prow, keep any gear well forward in the towed boat, and run the towline through the end loop of the towing boat, forward to the centre thwart where you can see it! Tie off with some kind of quick release hitch, a highwayman's’ hitch is ideal. If this is gibberish to you, learn now before you need it!

And back to Bob:-

Despite the wind, the weather had been fine and we all thoroughly enjoyed our small adventure. John`s experience will hopefully help in his longer trip to the Yukon in June 2002 when he paddles that river and pans for gold.

If anyone wants more information on the trip and sites used please contact me. If you are new to open boats and the idea of journeying, this would be ideal - but go as doubles.

Bob Andrews
welshpaddler@hotmail.com 01267 244832