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GUIDE TO THE RIVER DUDDON (Seathwaite to Duddon Bridge) NAME OF RIVER: Duddon. WHERE IS IT?: In the Southwest Lake District, flowing down Dunnerdale from Wrynose and Hardknott passes. Wrynose Pass leads to Langdale and Ambleside, so this river could be combined with Great Langdale Beck, the Brathay or Rothay. Or maybe you fancy beginning on the Upper Duddon? PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Many. There is a harder upper section, but this section begins near the village of Seathwaite in scenic Dunnerdale. A short path leads from the road to the river, crossing Long House Gill. This is an enjoyable alternative start point. Take out on river left just after Duddon Bridge where the A595 (Barrow) road crosses. There is good parking here. APPROX LENGTH: 6-7 miles. TIME NEEDED: 2-3 hours. ACCESS SITUATION: Unknown. WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: It needs heavy rain to work but is usually possible for a day or two afterwards. GRADING: Grade 3 with some easy grade 4. MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Trees. Weirs. One weir has collapsed, possibly leaving junk in the river. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Either continue on down from the end of the Upper Duddon if you have done this section, or put in as described above. From the confluence of Long House Gill Grade 2+ water takes you for the first mile to Hall Bridge. Another bridge after a mile (with a waterworks on river left) is the warning of a weir. This has dubious bits of concrete and metal spikes to contend with, make your own judgement. Below this, the river is straightforward until a sharp left bend, which is the beginning of a Grade 4- stretch. There are awkwardly placed rocks on the bend and the route is quite tight. A little way downstream the river bends right and flows through big boulders to complete an enjoyable stretch. Below here is Ulpha Bridge, with a deep pool below...a good seal launch spot but mind the traffic! There now follows a long (several miles) stretch of Grade 2 and 3 water with the odd playwave to look out for. The end of this section is where some phone lines pass overhead and you can see a bridge ahead just past an island. There used to be very good drop here but it got washed away some years ago and a grade 3/4 steep rocky rapid with various routes possible is left behind. Be on the look-out for dangerous remnants of the weir/ fall which may be left behind. Directly below the bridge is a weir which can usually be run and then a second weir, which has a longer tow-back and may be dodgy in high water. There is only one long Grade 3 rapid between here and the take-out bridge, where you can get out on the left or play on a small weir just below. Downstream is Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea. Chris Bolton adds (Summer 2002)...The first weir is no longer there - I went
back in dead low water and there is no trace of it - only the second (possibly
dodgy) weir now remains.' CONTRIBUTED BY: Mark Rainsley, also Chris Bolton. |
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