SPRING IN THE PYRENEES
The Pyrenees, the mountain range that divides Spain from France,
is where the Salvat Brothers and their friends spend the springtime
kayaking. When the 3,000-meter peaks have a good snowpack, it
is possible to have a long springtime season with consistently good
flows. But the season in the Pyrenees can be pretty variable. During
the springtime, temperatures may vary significantly, forcing kayakers
to change plans and move to other valleys in search of prime flows.
Usually, the snowmelt in the Pyrenees happens primarily in late April.
April is also when the majority of the region’s creeking competitions
are held in both France and in Aragon (Spain). In Spain, the town
of Sort is the most popular destination for kayakers. There are
several sections and tributaries of all levels in the Noguera Pallaresa
Valley, from class 2-3 to some of the most challenging class 5 runs.
Unfortunately, water levels usually hold only until the end of May, but
no stress, as that is the time to head to Huesca in the Aragon Province
to paddle the Cinqueta, the Ara and the Bujaruelo, as well as other
cool runs in the area. These rivers have some of the best whitewater
sections in all of Spain. If you are looking for waterfalls, slides, amazing
canyons and technical rapids all in one, the Huesca is no doubt
the place to explore! If you are lucky enough, you’ll be able to run
them everyday until early July. Easy access with marked trails and
good roads make the trip even easier. Please note that you’ll need
a navigation permit to paddle on all the rivers mentioned above.
This permit is free, and you can easily apply using the following link:
http://iber.chebro.es/webche/ declaracionResponsable.aspx.
Words and Photo: Aleix Salvat
JARBRIDGE-BRUNEAU, IDAHO, USA
With highwater everywhere in the state of Idaho, spring of 2017 saw more descents than ever down one
Idaho classic, the Jarbridge-Bruneau. Located an hour or so outside of Boise, the Jarbridge-Bruneau is a
remote canyon with nearly 70 miles of flowing water and grade III-IV rapids. Though once a highly popular
run, a short season of runnable flows the past few years has made this classic one of Idaho’s best-kept
secrets. Though the trip is normally done over five days, to make the most of limited time, Crista Wiles
and Rapha Boudreault-Simard decided three would have to suffice.. Joined by an international crew of
ten friends, the group of 12 put on on Sunday, June 10th. Surrounded by steep canyon walls and juniper
forests, the Jarbridge provides spectacular scenery from mile one. The river tumbles roughly 50 feet per mile
for sections of gentle, continuous class gradient and two standard portages, including Jarbridge Falls. At
both spots, Eric Boomer and Nouria Newman decided not to lug their heavily-laden boats, and made the
manky, tiered drops look too easy as they paddled downstream. At lunch on day two, Erik Johnson burned
the map to start a fire, and from there, the adventure began. Cold weather and rain didn’t detract from
the canyon’s beauty, and the crew still managed to make the most of the trip, taking in the high desert
plateau’s wildflowers, stunning rock formations and wildlife. A stop at a hot springs just below the almost un-
noticed confluence with the Bruneau was a trip highlight, the warm water a relief from the chilly weather.
Searching for a camp late on night two, the group was surprised to see the number of rafters, duckiers, and
paddlers out to enjoy the lower stretch of this once little-known river. The sun came out in time for the finale
of Five-Mile Rapid, ending the trip on a high point before beers in the sunshine.Words: Anna Bruno - Photo: Nicole MansfieldPlay
the
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