Okidoki, herewith the long awaited Dwars River article from 30 August 2009. I’m finally getting into what I need to post onto my website. There are still more articles waiting to be thrown on, and of course, more West Sumatra stuff. I won’t get into this trip very much and let the captions of the photos do the talking. Observe:

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The view from the main road, looking at the waterfall after the most difficult rapids.  Dwars_30_August 2009_015_E1_CR copy

A rapid further down, which was too low to paddle when we finally got there. Dwars_30_August 2009_017_E1 copy

Walking in. Stefano Sessa on the left looking not very happy with the hike :-) Followed by Meyer de Waal with the yellow Solo and Uno de Waal concentrating hard.  Dwars_30_August 2009_020_E1 copy

Rapid below the cheese block portage. Looking rather stiff, we left it alone. Dwars_30_August 2009_025_E1 copy

Hiking in. Dwars_30_August 2009_027_E1_CR copyThe cheese block. Full of siphons, I think it’s pretty obvious that this one is not runnable.

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Me pointing to something dodgy (probably the small strainer in the rapid), with Uno to my right. Photo by Stefano Sessa. Note on my hand is some insulation tape. I had 7 stitches in my hand, but of course that won’t stop me from paddling. Dwars_30_August 2009_071_E1_CR copy Dwars_30_August 2009_074_E1 copy Dwars_30_August 2009_076_E1 copy

Adrian Tregoning running the top part of what we call Toadwort, and this immediately goes off the mini pourover (Fist Pourover we call it) afterwards, see below. Photos by Stefano Sessa. Dwars_30_August 2009_080_E1 copy Dwars_30_August 2009_081_E1 copy

Me, boofing off the Fist Pourover (note, these are low levels). It looks like a fist with a bit more water. And yes, I see a double watermark crept in here but I’m too lazy to do this again… Dwars_30_August 2009_083_E1_CR copy Dwars_30_August 2009_086_E1_CR copy Dwars_30_August 2009_088_E1 copyAnd I finished off the rapid with the last bit. Definitely want to avoid that undercut on the left. Photos by Stefano Sessa.

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Stefano Sessa running the section below the Fist Pourover which you saw viewed from upstream in the photos prior to these. Dwars_30_August 2009_141_E1 copy

Looking back at a part of the rapid below Toadwort. Dwars_30_August 2009_143_E1_CR copyUno de Waal, showing work in progress! Nice!

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(This photo above is one of the finest I think I’ve taken :-) It’s Rowan Walpole there.)Dwars_30_August 2009_179_E1 copy Dwars_30_August 2009_187_E1 copy

(Undercut avoidance) Dwars_30_August 2009_190_E1 copy Dwars_30_August 2009_194_E1_CR copyRowan Walpole (aka Southside) running the complete Toadwort, boofing the Fist Pourover ad finishing the last part. It’s a great rapid. Scary with more water for sure.  

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MUST go left to avoid strainers etc. This then leads into Something Else. Dwars_30_August 2009_207_E1 copy

The group talking about the last part of Something Else.  Dwars_30_August 2009_219_E1_CR copy

Rowan Walpole, clearly infected with some Dwars fever. We gave him medicine shortly.  Dwars_30_August 2009_221_E1 copySiphon. Luckily water was too low for this one.

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Continued to Part 2, click here!