As the good(ish) weather officially comes to an end here in Europe, I thought i’d put up a post with some of my favourite pictures of the spring/summer season. I managed to squeeze in two trips to the Piemonte/Ticino regions, before heading north, as ever, to Norway. This season we did some more exploration, both in central Norway, and further north, as well as paddling a number of rivers which have been secretly documented in some detail over the past few years, and since the publication of this online guidebook are set to become classics.
These are some of my favourite shots, huge thanks go to the photographers, as well as the people in them!
First up – I finally caught the Devil’s slide at the perfect level, in the right mood. Huge thanks to Adam Dumolo for taking this photo whilst simultaneously doing safety for this one.
Next, an excellent shot from Tom Parker of a sweet boof in the Lower Sermenza Gorge. I’ve been absoulutely loving my Harlequin Fuse Jacket, definately the comfiest shell garment ever, and coloured to match everything!
Lakeside camping in Hattfjelldal, Norway. Is this the best paddling destination in Europe?
Next up a shot by Hugh Graham, of Finn Burrows lining up for a rinsing. Dusj-boof (Shower-boof in Norsk)on the Susna. One of the most fun rapids anywhere, especially in high water, when it becomes Wipeout-boof.
This shot was taken by a friendly local, who regularly fishes the pool below this fall. Yours truly, on the first descent of Storfossen, on the Herdalselva, near Valdal.
Due to the trees being harvested on the right hand bank of the Mikkemus-elva, there was excellent light for photos for the first time tis year. Here Hugh Graham hits the perfect line. Watch out for Hugh, he’s one of those people who makes everything look a bit too easy.
Finally, a shot of Finn I took on the incredible Tverraga, another first descent and a true gem of a river way up inside the Arctic Circle.
I’m now back in the UK for a while, waiting for storm fronts to roll in and dump their goods in the hills. The new Mambas will be arriving soon and I can’t wait to get mine out and flying.
See you on the river!
Nick
Hi all. We’re back in the UK and work has begun on the film we’re making of this summer’s Norwegian Odyssey.
It’s called Vaniljesaus (Pronounced Vanilla Jesus), and will be released online here on the Palm Blog within the next few weeks. For now here’s a sneak peek….
Vaniljesaus – Trailer from Nick Horwood on Vimeo.
Vaniljesaus – Trailer
More coming soon…
Finn & Nick
Hello all!
I’ve just returned from a last minute, unplanned trip to Ticino + Piemonte. After a frustratingly dry winter season I was desperate for some boating, so last week hopped in a car with Adam Dumolo and drove south on a whim in search of some steep action. Starting in Ticino we had some low water fun on the Verzasca and Ribo rivers, before heading south to the incomparable Valsesia for some freeride practice on the Egua, as well as an adventure into the Sorba’s Sawmill cataract.
In a hole – low water Verzasca…
Here are some images from the trip – Check out the new Atom Jacket in action, it’s the comfiest I’ve ever paddled in, and bombproof too.
The highlight of the trip for me was getting the chance to run the Sorba’s Sawmill Cataract, home of the Devil’s Slide. First run by Shaun Baker back in the 80s, this drop remains one of the big challenges in Val Sesia, and I’ve scouted it a few times over the years, but never at a good level.
With the sun shining, and water levels low, but not too low, we headed into the canyon, which features 3 incredible drops, with the Devil’s slide the final and biggest one.
This is the slide as seen from above, and the angle from which you first inspect it. Looks pretty different once you’re down there…
The second rapid of the canyon is an amazingly fun 6m twisting boof into a small canyon, which then drops over a small (2m?) ledge:
Once here, the options are to either abseil down the rocks and jump in below the slide, or commit to the big one…
The crux of the Devil’s Slide is a super boily, retentive cauldron half way down, which a few people have had severe beatings and long swims in. From above it looks friendly, but once down in the canyon it’s a different story, and landing in this cauldron in control, is a tricky but crucial move.
With only two of us there setting up safety wasn’t easy, but with some nifty ropework Adam was able to cover the pocket for me and snap a couple of pictures too.
The whole thing went super smoothly, and once in the slot it was white out all the way to the halfway cauldron. Definately one of the more intense yet fun rapids I’ve ever run.
From below the thing is pretty spectacular, you’re a long way down in the bottom of a deep canyon.
After a day’s missioning it’s back to Campertogno for some fresh Italian coffee.
We also took the chance for some Freeride practice ahead of the Gene17 Valsesia River Festival in May. This drop is amazing fun, and the competition should be ace!
A video still of a big hammer…
Spring is here, and I’m fired up for the summer’s adventures, so watch this space…
Also, best of luck to Pringle & Katya in the Whitewater Grand Prix next week!
See you on the river,
Nick.
I have just returned from an awesome expedition in Iceland where we were filming for Rush Sturges and Tyler Bradts upcoming feature ‘Dream Result’. Along with Rush, Tyler and Patrick Camblin we headed to the Land of Fire and Ice in search of big waterfall adventures!
We spent three weeks circumnavigating the entire Island and found some amazing drops. As well as dropping a few of Iceland’s more postcard drops we also knocked of several sweet first descents.
Camping in Iceland during the summer months is always a challenge due to the 24 hour sunlight and the extremely changeable weather. Luckily for us Iceland has a constant stream of natural hotsprings offering welcome refuge to the weary kayaker! Luckily for me on the water I was wearing the Sidewinder Top and Pant Combo as well as the new SIS Immersion Suit which both performed exceedingly well keeping me warm and dry in all conditions.
This was one of the most enjoyable trips I have been on for a long time. The combination of an awesome crew, unique location and epic paddling made for a memorable adventure. We filmed a great segment for Dream Result and got a ton of amazing images so be sure to check back here and on www.benbrown.co.nz for more tales as well as a video blog from the adventure.
Arkangel Chemical Weapons Facility (Aka. Verzasca Dam)
Hello there, so I’ve just returned from a beautiful week in the Italian and Swiss Alps. After spending a day on the middle section of the Verzasca, we stopped off for lunch on its unfeasibly large dam, before heading to the rarely run Loana and Basso for an epic day’s hiking, kayaking, and some gnarly portaging (see Tim’s post).
Your truly in a cheeky flair move on the Middle Verzasca
Simon Boofin' on the Basso
Having previously only experienced Valsesia during the monsoon, it was a revelation to arrive there in glorious sunshine. Although levels were still slightly too high for many of the steeper runs, we spent a thoroughly civilised few days enjoying the high water, relaxing in the valley’s gelateries, and arguing over how to pronounce stracciatella. Fot those stilll unsure, it’s pronounced ‘Stracciatella’.
Matt Tidy plugging hard on the upper Gronda
Relaxing at the bottom of the Gronda racecourse
Dropping in on the Sorba Slides at 'man levels'
Tim in the meat. Sirloin I believe.
The Mastallone river is not considered by many to be one of the classic runs in the area, however when the water is high and the sun is shining it makes for a grand day out, offering some fun bouldery rapids, an incredible pristine gorge, and if you head a little further up the Valley a cheeky Park ‘n’ Huck on it’s lesser trib the Landwasser. On this occasion we were lucky enough to catch a fish.
Jared Meehan and Jim Cummings: Park 'n' Fish 'n' Huck.
Simon on the Landwasser drop.
Dave Carrol from above.
On my last day in Valsesia, Simon and I entered the Valsesia River Contest downriver sprint, which due to high water on the Sermenza was to be held on the Sesia at Piccolo Canada rapid. The sun shone, we paddled hard, and despite a moderately controversial choice of line on my part, Simon and I won first and second places respectively in the ‘International’ catergory.
The Sesia in high water
Yours truly, sporting the victory bling. Solid Silver.
All in all a cracking week in one of the world’s greatest paddling destinations, and a sweet warm up to what looks to be an incredible season. I’m now back in the UK, preparing for further adventures in France and then Norway. I can’t wait.
Safe paddling, see you on the water!
Nick
