GUIDE TO THE AFON GAM

(A458 to Banwy confluence)

NAME OF RIVER: Afon Gam.

WHERE IS IT?: A458 Llanerfyl, nr Llanfair Caereinion. Powys. Wales.

PUT-INS/ TAKEOUTS:

Put in: Follow the A458 from Welshpool to Llanerfyl. Turn left onto B road, follow this untill 100 metres just past bridge near Dolwen.

Take out: Turn right after bridge over the Afon Banwy at Llanerfyl. Park on verge, do not block gates.

APPROX LENGTH: 9 km.

TIME NEEDED: 2 hours.

ACCESS HASSLES: Wave and chat to the locals, they seem very friendly.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Loads of rain, and the Afon Banwy running chocolate brown. A good floating depth at the get-in, but still between the banks.

GRADING: 2 to 3.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: With good water levels trees are a hazard. The first diagonal weir needs care, if you shoot too close to the down stream edge you may get flipped and fed into the trees on that bank.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Good grade 2 to 3 rapids, a few small pour overs and boulders to dodge. I would describe as big and bouncy, more than technical. The gorge sections are quite wide, more like high banks. No portages, but lots of trees. A nice fast run with a few play spots, make this an enjoyable river. After the last bridge on the Gam there is one small play spot, then it is a gentle drift down to Llanerfyl. I would not take groups of more than 5, and keep cars to a minimum.

OTHER NOTES:

CONTRIBUTED BY: Pat Humphreys Shrewsbury Canoe Club.