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GUIDE TO THE RIVER GRETA (Rutherford to the Tees) NAME OF RIVER: Greta. WHERE IS IT?: Barnard Castle OS Map 92. PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put in at bridge nr. Rutherford (grid ref OS 92, 03 12), take out Whorlton Lido on the River Tees (GR 10 14). APPROX LENGTH: 12 km. TIME NEEDED: 3 hours. ACCESS SITUATION: Ralph Wilson & Jim Hastings, Regents Canoe Club...'The landowner from river right at Rokesby Falls was friendly and helpful (let two of us portage his neighbour's paths!). The big tree is still straddling the river and looks like it will be for years to come. Excellent paddle (30 December 2002). Tiring since continuous, making Rokesby Falls harder than they might have been; they're probably a 4+. Thanks to our wives for collecting everything between the bottom and Whorlton...' Chris Parker (Feb '02)...'Access has been agreed to the River Tees between Whorlton and Winston. However we have been asked to stay off the River Greta. I think it is madness to agree to keep off one of the best rivers in the area. I hope the BCU access officers are working on this. It does not need to be raining I have paddled this in glorious sunshine after much rain. It is always worth a look just in case if you are in the area.' Anonymous (Feb '03)...'Access agreement - apparently the reason access to the Greta is banned is that it runs through the estate of the the major landowner in the area (some kind of Earl) who doesn't like it when ambulances/ rescue etc have to go across his front lawn to get to people. Apparently (again) the BCU is in talks with the earl to open up another local whitewater river (name escapes me) in return for the BCU actively discouraging (and large penalties for) use of the Greta.' Is the Tees/ Greta access officer able to confirm/ clarify this arrangement? WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: It has to be honking everywhere else. This is a real flash river, if it isn't still raining and you can't paddle down the road don't bother. GRADING: 4 (mostly 3 but see below). MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Just before the confluence with the Tees is the hardest rapid, 100 yards of grade 4 it is difficult to inspect and hard to portage (as it is amongst houses). Don't paddle if you aren't prepared to follow someone down this one blind (and you have a `probe'). Line is centre heading right (or at least it was). Paul Mayfield, Broomhall Canoe Club (April 2005).River Greta, Teesdale...'All of the tree hazzards are now gone on the main section of the river, but there is a tree in the main shoot of the last grade 4 rapid?, may not be there long though. Worth a quick look before running the rapid, especially in lower water. Top river, always worth doing.' GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Greta is the river you see entering over a boulder garden from the right near the end of the Barnard Castle to Whorlton Lido stretch of the River Tees. Some people walk up and do the final bit for a laugh. The rest of the river is a really good spate run that is pretty much 10 km of continuous grade 3 ended by a single grade 4 stretch (only a few hundred yards up from the confluence, but access here is dodgy as it is surrounded by houses). Finish down a few km of the River Tees, which brings you to Whorlton Lido. There are several interesting rapids higher up and things gradually get harder, with trees remaining a persistent hazard (as this is spate so there is lots of junk floating in the river and it is bank-full). Lots of fun playing with several good holes and stoppers. Update from Frazer...As an addendum to the guide, the tree hazard is currently SEVERE. There are 2 complete blocks and 1 pretty much total. At low(ish) levels they are all limbo or skirtable but with more water would be portages. All are visible though. Take care on this section, there really are lots of trees. (paddled it yesterday, 12/12/99). Charlie Fryer...(3/2/02) 'Paddled from Bowes To Greta Bridge. Water was High apparently!!! Starts off nice and mellow with small eddies and big waves in places. It's a progressive river, grade 2 because it's easy. Then to grade 3 and before Greta Bridge grade 4 due to size of waves (4 foot+). It was an excellent couple of hours playing and getting tangled in trees! A river not to be missed and close to major roads which is nice.' OTHER NOTES: Sections above this also go, but I've only done the final 12 km. Anyone done these upper sections? CONTRIBUTED BY: Frazer Pearce, also Paul Mayfield, Charlie Fryer, Ralph Wilson, Jim Hastings, Phil Carr, Dan Haworth and Chris Parker. |
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