Northern Thailand. Part 3.

First Descent number 2.

Yesterday we headed to the Jae Sawn National Park, two hours drive outside Chiang Mai. At times we weren't sure our car was going to make it - using first gear all too often to get up the mountain roads. But we got there eventually and weren't disappointed with what we found.

The Jae Sawn has a series of six waterfalls. We ran number 1 only. The upper fall (number 6)was runnable, but ran straight into number 5 which had a nasty log jam across it, and no way to get out before. Number 3 will definitely go with a little more water to beef up the landing - as it was it was a clean 40footer into 4-5 feet of plunge pool, and not worth the risk.

-Josh running number 1 on the Jae Sawn-

-Me on the Jae Sawn-

Number 1 looked good to go, and after 30 minutes of throwing logs we'd figured the landing was deep. We had to abseil in from above with our kayaks, then we could get out on the lip and have a final inspection. It certainly looked bigger from the top - and a little trickier too with a nasty fold that could easily send you off line from the start. By the time Josh was ready to go we had a bit of a crowd gathered below the falls, none of them really sure what we were doing - but pretty shocked by what they saw! We ran it a couple of times each, and got some nice video and photos. The last shot of Sam hucking has Josh hanging off the side of the falls getting a really unique angle of the drop on film.

-Sam Hucking-Josh Filming-

All in all it was an awesome day and an awesome drop, and definitely worth a second look if there's a bit more rain.

Will.

Sam.

Josh.

Northern Thailand. Part 2.

Sometimes you find the sweetest things right on your doorstep. This was certainly true for the river we found today.
We were searching on the internet last night for waterfalls and the like throughout the whole northern region of Thailand. We found a few possibilities. One of the falls looked pretty runable and only a 30 minute drive from Chiang Mai, so this morning we loaded the boats and headed out.

What we found was a gem. Immediately we saw the fall from the internet - and then another, and another and another! It turned out this river - the Mae Sa - had a series of ten waterfalls in a row, with a load of cool little rapids and slides in between. It's in a national park, and luckily for us there was a path and wooden steps along both sides of the river. We hiked up to see what we could run, and wern't dissapointed. This is what we're here for, and we were stoked!

The first couple of falls were a little bit sketchy - but will definitly go - maybe with a little more water. So we started with the third one down. Josh hit it first and stomped the line. I went up next and hit it sweet. This got us fired up for the rest of the run.

-Josh styles down number 9-

-Me on number 9-

Next up was a portage around a drop we wern't fully keen to run - but next time I reckon we'll hit it. A sweet little slide followed to the next drop. This one was pretty messy, with an awkward run in and a load of ledges all the way down. The photo doesn't quite do it justice, but Josh stepped up and again nailed the line.

-Sam below number 7-

-Josh on number 6-

After that we came down to the drop we'd seen the day before on the internet. A sweet 20footer to boof off. Sam hit it first with Josh following him down. Then I ran up for my go. Half way to the top I see a dude on a mo-ped carrying a Rescue-ring (those red and white ones you get on the side of boats). The word had gotten out that the crazy phalangs (White people) we doing crazy stuff on the river!! I was told to stop and that it was dangerous, but with Jedi-like powers of persuasion I got them to go watch me instead. They loved it!

-Josh lines up the boof on 5-

-Sam on number 5-

The last section was a mix of portages and some cool slots and drops with a fun slide thrown in for good measure. And then we were off the water and back to Suzy Suzuki for some much needed water and a quick drive back to Chiang Mai.

-Sam on number 3-

-Me on number 1-

So right now, me and Josh are sitting back in our favourite coffee shop updating our blogs and trying to make some plans for tomorrow, while Sam's headed off for a massage. Our trip is getting off to a good start - The Mae Sa, from what we can gather is a first descent and that always makes us happy. Chiang Mai is a cool place to hang out, and there's always things going on to keep us busy. Thailand is not a bad place!

-Chiang Mai nightlife-

-Traditional Thai dancing-

We're off to do some more exploring tomorrow, so we'll keep you posted.

Happy paddling and Safe travels!

Will.
Josh.
Sam.

All Photos (c) Will Clark

Northern Thailand. Part 1.

Hey everyone - I'm sat in a coffee shop in Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. We've pretty much set up shop here for the last few days - enjoying the air conditioning, iced coffee and free internet.

-Thailand Chopper-

I got to Thailand on Thursday. Travelling from Uganda with Sam Ward, and hooking up with Josh Neilson in Bangkok airport. We're here for six weeks - exploring white water and searching for waterfalls. We met up with Pete Buick - a friend of ours out here in Thailand and began our travels north. We took the train from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai, and got some rest as we travelled 15 hours overnight.

-Weighing in at Bangkok Train Station-

-Buffalo Carts-

Now in Chiang Mai we've got ourselves a couple of apartments in the North of the city to base ourselves for our adventures. For the last few days we've been studying maps and getting in-touch with friends and Thai paddlers to get all the info we need to set out on some missions. We've got ourselves a cool little Suzuki to take us around, and yesterday we got on the water for the first time.

-Buddhist Temple in Chiang Mai-

We headed out of the city for a couple of hours to paddle the Mae Taeng River. It's a nice grade 3-3+ boulder garden style river. It was a nice little warm up and good fun to get out in the boats and on to a new river. We were on the water for about an hour and a half - and it was an awesome experience to see elephants bathing in the water and thick jungle hanging from the banks.

-The road to the Mae Taeng-

-Sam boofs on the Mae Taeng-

-Local Transport-

After the Mae Taeng we went to check out a couple of local waterfalls we'd spotted on the map. The driving out here is awesome - either solid tar roads, or fun offroad adventuring! So even if we couldn't paddle we had a lot of fun and saw some really cool places. The first waterfall - just 3km from the main road was a local chill-out spot and the perfect place to hang-out for a BBQ but unfortunately unrunnable. The second - called 'Mae Hon Lae' - we renamed the 'invisible hard to find in the bush waterfall'. After an hour of offroading through the jungle and no sign of it we cut our losses and headed home.

-Our Suzuki in the Jungle-

Now we're getting ready to hit the road again, in search of some big waterfalls and some multi-day kayaking. Next stop is the Nan province - North East of here.

Check back for the next update on what we find.

Will Clark

Sam Ward

Josh Neilson

A River of Change.

It's sad times for the Nile. We knew it was coming and now it's here - at least the beginnings of it anyway. They are building the Bujagali Dam on the River Nile. What does this mean? Well that depends on your point of view.

For all us boaters out here and around the world it's a tragedy. We have already lost some great white-water. Ugly Sisters has gone. No longer does our favourite local play wave exist. The effect of this has meant a back up of the river and that in turn has made 'Total Gunga' a grade 1 bimble instead of what used to be (in my opinion) the best big Grade 5 on this stretch of water. So now we have huge amounts of water heading down Silverback. And I've got to say it's made it interesting!! A huge wave train with confused, messy, boily water. It is not a good idea to swim here as you will go down for a long time!!

Total Gunga? Not any more!

For Uganda this project is welcomed. 250megawatts of predicted power, really will be a saviour for the country. However we'll have to wait and see the real political impact of all this. With oil up north in Lake Albert - renewed conflict with the DRC - and heaps of other things going on in preparation for CHOGM this November, who knows how Uganda will fare.

Silverback, new and improved?!

All I know is some of my favourite white-water is being destroyed, and a noisy dirty building site is now on the banks of the Nile. Check out the photos - Total Gunga in the first and Silverback in the last.

I'm heading to Thailand this week for some creeking action up in the North. Myself, Sam Ward (UK) and Josh Nielson (NZ). We're hooking up with some of the local boys and it all looks set to be an epic adventure. Check here and www.dkayaking.net for updates on our travels and the rivers we find.

Happy paddling and Safe Travels!!

Fish Eagle