Dangerous tree on the Lower Kinglas, Argyll

[neilfarmer]

There is a dangerous river wide tree on the lower section of the Argyll River Kinglas. It is below the tunnel and the long rapid after the tunnel (that goes under an old bridge). It is beyond the new wooden footbridge, but before the weir. If you have no option, work your way to the absolute (river) left bank.

[Dug]

I'd say get out at the 'new bridge' after the Tunnel then walk down to the bottom weir. The banking just above the tree blockage is very slippy and thick with trees and a nightmare to get up!. There is'nt to much danger of getting swept into the trees as you can see them coming up. You could prob get over the one on river level left at very high/flood levels but any lower and it's not going to be fun...

[neilfarmer]

To add to this, now having paddled the lower section of the river today in daylight (a nice change), there is a tangle of potentially very dangerous trees below the main one, on the river right, just above the weir. Take care, in low light they may not be that visible.

[Peter Brown]

There's a new tree. It's in front of the river left sort of headwall right after the old stone bridge after the tunnel. 7th photo here http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/scot ... aspics.htm. Pretty big, was submerged enough not to cause us too much drama but could be a big problem at lower level. You don't see it until you're upon it. Might be best to scout this.

The other trees mentioned above are still there but easy enough to spot and avoid/portage.

[Peter Brown]

Today the Kinglas was pretty high, with a good surf wave at the put-in. Trees at this level:

In the tunnel! At this level and if you know it's there, you can avoid by staying right through tunnel. At lower water it might be harder to miss. It's hard to see in it in the dark.
The river wide one and bits and pieces just after it still there. Could have paddled over this today.

Given the amount of trees on bank and sudden trees in water on last two times I've paddled it, it seems a bad idea to run any of the lower part blind. Shame, as blasting down this is awesome fun.

If you're here and find my Werner Powerhouses (last seen in the tunnel), I would love to get them back.

Cheers

Peter
07753 622 38six

[neil.farmer]

Paddled river today, 13/2/11.

Tree still in the tunnel, will post photos as soon as I can. Run (river) RIGHT through the tunnel.

Tree under the old stone bridge appears to have gone, I noticed when taking tree photos, a small bit of wood in the rapids after the old stone bridge - fine if paddling, feet up if swimming, if it's still there!

The big river wide tree below the old stone bridge rapid & before the weir has broken, clean (river) LEFT, obstructed (river) RIGHT. There is a lot of wood below this & above weir, take care, we kept left.

[neilfarmer]

[neilfarmer]

11 August 2011.
There is now a large tangle of trees in the river, ~50m above the tunnel, just after the little "headchopper drop". In very low water, you can paddle under the right hand side, but with any decent flow it blocks the river. This tangle is ~20m below the "headchopper drop" and while there will almost always be a pool after this drop, sometimes moving water, care is needed. These trees may also wash into the tunnel and/or the gorge below the old stone bridge, so extreme care is needed.

The tree blocking the lower river just above the weir appears to have gone again, but there is still a tangle blocking the centre & RHS just above the weir.