Meltdown in Norway

Ric Moxon, Nose Breaker

With this years huge snow pack, and record temperatures it has been a stunning summer in Norway.

Here are a couple of shots from the past month on the road.

Matt Tidy, Nose Breaker

Nærøyfjord

Matt Tidy and Ric Moxon inspecting the double drop
on Teigdalelva at low water.

Matt Tidy, Money Drop

Ric Moxon, Money Drop





The fantastic view over Nærøyfjord at the take out
of Undredalselva.

Telemark: Stairway from heaven

Sam Sutton on Husevollelva

It´s the time of year that I get back home to find paddlers sat on my doorstep! This week it was the 2 young kiwis Sam Sutton and Josh Neilson, sat in their car waiting at midnight.

I took them in for the night and then sent them on their way to Telemark, which is working like a dream this year due to a record snow pack.

I caught up with them later that weekend to find them in their element. With limited fear and a great deal of talent they had been knocking off some of the biggest runs in the area at pretty chunky levels.

On Sunday we headed over to Husevollevla, (aka Project 2000), which Sam showed us his skills on, and aptly named "the stairway from heaven". Possibly the steepest creeks in Norway, it offers continues waterfalls one after another.

Walking into the Mår

Tim Star, Husevollelva

Tim Star, Husevollelva

Walking to the river though a classic Telemark meadow.

Sam Sutton, Husevollelva.

PROJECT OSLO: Source to sea first descent

Lars-Georg Paulsen at the weir in Nydalen

We finally managed to complete Akerselva, from its source in Maridalsvannet (Oslo´s drinking water supply), down to Oslo Fjord. In the process we created a media frenzy, with a local TV crew and journalists showing incredible interest in what was a dumb stunt!

Ironically after traveling the world to the most obscure places, the most interest we have ever got from serious media, is by paddling a ditch 5 minutes from my flat!

We are now major TV stars in our own minds. The short clip from Oslo TV can be viewed at here.

The river is about 7km long, and between numerous dirty weirs, and the odd junkies needles, there is some surprisingly good paddling at high water. The best section is in the Gruneløkka, a trendy young district, with a couple of opportunities for a beer on the way down.

Mexican Mich (the only person I have met who can use the word
´gringo´in a serious conversation!). Outside Gruneløkka Student house.

Classic Corsica

The classic bedrock  Amphitheatre, Travo River

With fingers crossed we headed out to Corsica, and were lucky to hit the notoriously fickle water levels at perfect flows. 

I was joined by Matt Tidy, ´The Boy´Jake Holland, and the Italian paddler X, Daniele Tira.

It proved to be a chilled mission on a stunning Island, cruising down several of the numerous bedrock classics, that have made Corsica famous as the birthplace of steep creeking.

Letting the Italians do the cooking as we wait for the ferry.

Jake Holland exiting the Amphitheatre on the Travo River.

Matt Tidy drops the 10m fall on the Rizzanese River.

We need a probe! Send in ´The Boy´!

Jake Holland, Rizzanese River.

The ancient town of  Corte.

Daniele Tira picks his way through a bolder garden on the Vecchio River.

Matt Tidy, Vecchio River.

Jake Holland, Travo River.

The classic bedrock valley of the Travo River.

PROJECT OSLO: A taste of city life

After getting a taste for the city life last weekend, we couldn´t resist exploring more of what Oslo has to offer.

I made a few calls last week, and found out Lars-Georg had also been scouting out other falls within the city centre. We went down to a forgotten part of the city, at the back of several old factory buildings, where the river is completely hidden.

Urban Kayaking Oslo

Well what can I say! I was stuck in the city this weekend painting my girlfriends bathroom. Needless to say I got the itch to do something while the paint dried! Luckily Tor-Håkon Inderberg in now in Oslo, and easily persuadable. 

We jumped in the van and headed to Akerselve which runs right through the centre of Oslo, and as far as we know, hasn´t been paddled! 

Between some messy rapids we found this sweet drop in the old industrial area which is now the new Oslo school of art, about 5 minutes from Oslo centre!

Lyngen

We just got back from 10 days ski touring in the far North of Norway. We lucked out with perfect snow conditions, and fantastic weather on the pretty unpredictable west coast! We were also treated to a great show of Northern lights in the evenings.

To see more images visit my main page: www.paclandphoto.com



We received a full range of next years ´lofoten´range from Norrøna to get some shots. It´s amazing how much you can fit inside a one piece ski suit!

Climbing Kavringtinden

Storgalten

A Norwegian beach holiday! Snow right down to seas level. We used a small fishing boat to cross the fjord and access the mountains.

Climbing in the hot -10 sun, with a clear view down over 1000m to the fjord.

The long walk to into the mountains.

Perfect powder !

Hillevi show´s us what it means to be a Norwegian who CAN`T ski!

Colin and Ra cruise down through the powder into the sunset.

The view out of the kitchen window. The skies came to life at night.

India 2007 Exhibition

For a full exhibition from our latest missions, please visit my main web page:

http://www.paclandphoto.com

Arunachal Pradesh

Al Ellard points out why we drove so far!

After the long drive accross India and Nepal, we finally arrived in Arunachal Pradesh with the full team. Shalabh Galhaut(Ind), Sam Hughes(UK), Andy Phillips(UK), Al Ellard(UK), Mike Abbott(NZ), Zak Shaw(NZ) and our driver Sangrup.

Not just the rivers wer class 5.

We were 7 people crammed in the back of a truck. This didn´t stop us picking
up hitches as there is not much traffic round these parts, and we could get beta from them.

A young monk at the Tawang Monastery.

After a few hards days scouting we managed to pull off 3 hard days of tough paddling on the Tawang Chu, finishing at the border of Bhutan.

After this we spent a couple of days scouting the Nyamjang, but opted only to paddle for a day and spend our time and energy on more promising projects.

The full team spent an incredible 4 days working our way down the Tenga, Bichom and Kameng Rivers. In the 4 days we went from low volume creeks in the mountains, and gained water rapidly as we descended, finishing in the large volume Kameng, on the planes.

With a bit of time on our hands me, Andy and Al went on our first all English mission for a while. After failing to find good access to the Kamla we spent 3 days on classic white water on the Dirang river.

To view the full gallery of image visit: www.paclandphoto.com

Andy Phillips tries to load his boat with 4 days kit, Tawang Chu.

Andy Phillips, Tawang Chu.

Mike Abbott, Tawang Chu.

Allen Ellard portages through the steep jungle, Tawang Chu.

Andy Phillips and Mike Abbot discover the problems of drying
by the fire in a drysuit. We carried minimal kit in our boats
so had no change of cloths in the evenings.

Our makeshift riverside accommodation.

Zak Shaw on the long carry out of the Tawang Chu. At this point the river crossed the
border into Bhutan, and we were unable to continue.

The ancient Stupa at Zimitang, on the Nyam Jang Chu.

A makeshift kitchen in a Shrine where we found shelter for the night.

We got a warm welcome in the Dirang Valley!

Al introduces the local witch doctor to some modern technology.

An Apontani woman in the market at Ziro.
The wooden plate in here nose, and facial tattoos
are to prevent other tribes stealing women.

Mike Abbot and Al Ellard on the Nyam Jang Chu.

Zak Shaw on the Njam Jang Chu.



To view the full gallery of image visit: www.paclandphoto.com