08 March River Trip River Lune NOW TEES

Not enough water in the Lune

meeting Cotherstone on Tees and will then decide if we paddle down to Barnard Castle or get in upstream and paddle down to Cotherstone

Monthly River Trip

River Lune Grade 2 /3 (A return to one of the Clubs favourite rivers before the fishing season)

From Beck Foot bridge, easy water meanders for a mile or so and allows you to take in the splendid view of the Howgill Fells.

The first notable rapid is a grade 3 gorge where the water accelerates between bedrock walls. A second similar gorge takes the paddler at speed towards an easier stretch before a footbridge is reached with a small looping stopper just above it.

Next landmark is where a large viaduct crosses overhead. After this, a long grade 3+ rapid takes the paddler through stoppers and past a large central rock known as 'John's Stone' (anybody know why?) towards Lincoln's Inn Bridge, SD 6284 9232. The rock is undercut and paddlers have been known to briefly vanish under it when the river is low!

Below the bridge, it's not far until the most notable drop on the river...a grade 3 rapid leads to a pool above 'The Strid'. This is a narrow twisting slot, which drops a couple of metres into a large pool. If you swim in the pool, keep your eyes open as there are several new karabiners of mine on the bottom somewhere.

The next section is another narrow gorge with easy rapids, before you find yourself at Killington New Bridge, SD 6226 9081, a possible egress. The river below the bridge becomes a bit scrappy. First is a weir with a dubious stopper...inspect and protect. Not much further on is Stangerthwaite Weir, a highly dodgy affair which can be run but which is rather risky...odd bits of stopper, concrete and metal spike all compete for a piece of your flesh. Portaging it isn't straightforward either in high water.

River Lune - Beck Foot to Rawthey Confluence | North West | England | Rivers - The UK Rivers Guidebook