If you have access to a pool session I’d suggest getting someone to guide your paddle blade a few times. Sometimes it is just getting your brain to ‘see’ the correct motion and then it all falls into place. I’d also suggest using the opportunity to practice swapping sides if your offside roll doesn’...

Having been boating in Nepal a couple of times I’d say that is quite a relaxed itinerary. You could be much more aggressive and expect to paddle several extra days if you wanted and were prepared to work at it. But then you’d miss out on seeing and experiencing the country etc. Depends how laid back...

Montenegro. Tara canyon. Talk to Slime.

Sounds like you did some good practising. Shallow end is fine for weights, some people have trouble with their ears at the deep end anyway. The idea is just to get your head underwater. You can buy cheap "pool sharks" from most pools, they have little fins and sink slowly so stand up on the bottom. ...

Sounds like your roll is coming along nicely (well done). Now you need to work on your head (this is pretty common). I’d suggest some non-rolling. Try this for instance: take some weights and lob them in the deep end. Now dive in and get them. See how many you can get on one dive. Once you can do a ...

Some Morocco info here, but note this is from 15 years ago: http://www.thepoly.co.uk/tripreports/morocco.html

Rest of Europe: Slovenia, Greece, Montenegro, Turkey?

Frazer

I'm a lefty. I've always paddled rights and never had a problem. A friend of mine is a righty who has always paddled with lefts (they were available when he started, he says he wishes he hadn't because he can't just grab most other paddles). My splits are drilled so they can assemble 60degree right ...

Somehow decided our 1:200,000 map of the country was good enough and put on an interesting looking section at the only bridge. A few km later river disappeared under boulders as it dropped down a cliff. A bit of a hike delayed us and we eventually hit the damsite and decided to bail as it was gettin...

Had a relaxed start to the day and put on our chosen wilderness run a little late. Agreed with our driver to meet in the next town downriver and that if it got dark we'd simply bail onto the riverside railway and walk out... A few hours later, when it inevitably got dark, we began our trudge along s...

OK, I'll bite. No club I've ever been involved with would allow someone with this hypothetical attitude anywhere near a leadership role. On any water. It just isn't worth the risk. Obviously, if a group of friends chose to paddle together as a group of friends (I.e. Not as part of a club sponsored a...

That looks like early on the Ubaye gorge, with the steep scree slopes up to the road in the background.

Blackwater?

Correct.

Nope. Bhote kosi warmer.

Getting closer.

Right country, wrong river. The first picture was the put-in.

Further down the same river in case anyone needs a hint...

How about this one? Back when boaters drew a crowd...

Easan Dubha?

The Orchy?

Sanna it is. 88 I think.

Frazer

Bonus points for the year...




Frazer

Looks a bit like the Allen.

Frazer

Base of High Force?

Yes. Lhasa and then overland out to Chengdu with a team of 6. We used Windhorse for permits: http://www.windhorsetibet.com/about-us/ they were excellent.

Frazer

The Tara is indeed a really great 2-3 wilderness trip. Check out the Tara Kayak Festival this September: http://www.tara-grab.com/

Flights are probably simplest direct to Montenegro (Manchester to Tivat).

Frazer

When, several hours into a river trip, the only paddler who has run the section before quietly announces they aren't sure where the takeout was and you arrive at a confluence with another river you're sure you weren't expecting.

..and it starts gently snowing.

OK, I'll play. a) Principally I'd talk to them. Then pull in a second and drop the affected paddler in between us. Make it clear we're there and watching but generally things are OK. Be reassuring and encouraging. Kayaking is a team activity after all plus this type of confidence loss is a completel...

...that you are somehow downstream of the takeout