RI7ER JOURNAL POSTS

the 3 of us pretty quiet packing up.

Day 2 of the expedition and we are feeling our bodies reaction to expedition life. a little stiff in areas and the overdose of fresh air is contagious.

With stove still not working, so cold breakfast after several attempts to clean, replace parts, put back together. Was 1 moment of joy when she fired up for a few seconds, but that was short lived.

Hellerfossen portage coming up and where we are camped above the falls on river right there is no good view of our descent on river left. The paddle across the top of the falls is calm and easy, but not a place to miss the take-out.

After the easy portage, which reminded me that we need to take a step at a time, and not think too much about what could be coming next, rather to concentrate on the now.

Set of rapids just below the falls had enough water for myself and Scott to descend a fast, narrow, ledgy section which is jutted with extremely sharp rock. Next it was time for all of us to portage  2 sections of steep, ugly rapids. A little more water would have encouraged some boating through these drops.

2 long easy boogie water rapids, rotating the filming and photography between the 3 of us we picked our way down Storåadalen valley.

Then BANG, Scott hits a rock in a mellow rapid which punches a hole through his boat. It is fucked. Fixing it with heat is normally an option, but with our stove also having the day off, that option is grimmer because we have only just entered the tree line, so not much fire-wood around either.

O.K - lunch break, lets think this through cos we have options.

First, a portage by all 3 of us .Then the plan involved Scott walking with his gear on trail to Gjendebu, Ine and i stayed on water through a low rock-walled mini-gorge for several rapids. We all met up at Gjendebu.

The day ended with me riding the ferry with all 3 river kayaks to Gjendesheim, Brett picking me up and taking me back to Sjoa valley to go and find another boat and collect our spare stove. Ine and Scott remained at Gjendebu to continue documenting and get our sea-kayaks and canoe loaded for my return.

An expensive day, but the trip continues ...

Rob Wilson