Page 182 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Wycliffe College CC
EXERCISE VALLON PONT d’ARC CHALLENGE
THE VALLEY OF THE ARDECHE IS VERY SCENIC
RIVER ARDECHE FRANCE
23 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER 2016 ‘Nous sommes Aventureux de la rivière
Aim: The aim of the venture was to introduce a fairly novice group of cadets to white water kayaking, with some of the cadets gaining their 1, 2 or 3 Star awards. This was followed by a two day, C2 open boat (Canadian canoes) expedition down the Ardeche Gorge, which is classed as one of the great wilderness areas of Southern France. This was our rst expedition to this area.
The Group
Lt Col Paul Rothwell - Exped Leader and Instructor Mr Graham Constable - Civilian Assistant and Admin Flt Lt Sally-Anne Evans – Female cover and Admin CSjt Tom Coles – Age 17
LCpl Thomas Kendell – Age 17 Cpl Annabelle Pearce – Age 16 Pte Matt Lee – Age 18
Pte Cullan Lloyd – Age 15
the more technical white water. Much of this was conducted at a waterfall area called Radier, which was conveniently situated just 500 meters up from the camp site. The second and most popular, if not more demanding and technical area, was the section of river just up from the spectacular Pont d’Arc. It was here that much was achieved. Most if not all cadets were able to master. Ferry gliding (Moving across a section of water without gaining or losing ground). Breaking into fast moving water and break out into an eddy (slack water).
S turns, moving into fast moving water, on one side of the bank and breaking out on the other side, doing this in the shape of a S. One or two cadets were able to surf and keep their kayak on a standing wave. This then led to the very exhilarating fast moving high cross, where the kayak is presented at an acute angle to the trough of a wave and is then picked up by the hydraulics of the water and shot across to an eddy on the far side. Indeed these latter two techniques are fairly dif cult skills to master. But a couple of our cadets did perfect these excep- tionally well.
Expedition Phase: Now the tempo of this trip changed somewhat. On the sixth day we started our two day, 35 km, self-contained canoe expedition. Paddling open-Canadian canoes (Single blade technique) All equipment was secured in high-quality dry bags. Still on the river Ardeche, we started our adventure from the banks of Camping Arc en Ceil. Most of the river was fairly slow moving, as it meanders it way through the spectacular gorge. There were about 20 rapids including a number of waterfalls on route. The latter had fast steep shoots/ slides that were a little interesting if not exhilarating to negotiate. Inevitable we had a few capsizes, especially when going through the more dif cult rapids. We stopped several times to swim and cool off and to take-in the spectacular views. One could not but be overawed by the sheer enormity of the rock faces. Periodically the uniformity of this feature was replaced by singular gigantic cathedral like spire, rising from the river bed, often at an obscure angle, silhouetting the blue cloudless sky above. This 22 km section to our overnight bivouac site at Gournier took about 6 hours. Wild camping is not allowed in the Gorge, so we had little option but to stay at Gournier. Certainly there was a sense of remoteness about the place. I suppose the most amusing event during our stay there, was Annabelle waking up with bullfrog in her tent! The next days journey was a short 13 km, 3 hour trip to our pick up point at Sauze. The road journey back to our base was now a 1000 ft above the Gorge. Periodically we stopped at a number of viewing points. Interesting, looking at the gorge from a panoramic if not different perspective. It certainly is a great wilderness area, of natural outstanding beauty.
The main impression for all will hopefully be the challenging white water, team spirit, personal achievement and new experience gained in this stunning, yet wild and rugged area of France.
The River The Ardeche is a 125-kilometre (78 miles) long river in south- central France, a right-bank tributary of the River Rhone. Its source is in the Massif Central, near the village of Astet. It ows into the Rhône near Pont- Saint-Esprit, north-west of Orange. The river gives its name to the French department of Ardeche. The valley of the Ardeche is very scenic, in particular a 30-kilometre (19 miles) section known as the Ardeche Gorges. The walls of the river here are limestone cliffs up to 300 meters (980 ft) high. The most famous feature is a natural 60-metre (200 ft) stone arch spanning the river known as the Pont d’Arc (arch bridge).
A kayak and camping trip down the gorge is not technically dif cult and is very popular in the summer. Also water levels can be fairly low. With these points in mind, there can be an element of danger. One, from the many canoeists (not always in control of their craft!) on the river and secondly shallow rapids and capsizing. Hence when we were kayaking we all wore helmets.
The Camp Site: For most of the time we were based at Camping Arc en Ciel, a 3 Star Campsite. It had all the basic facilities, showers, toilets, washing up area etc. The great advantage of Arc en Ceil, it was conveniently situated by the shore of the upper reaches of river Ardeche. Also, it was densely populated by many deciduous trees. This gave us a great deal of respite, by providing shade from the searing heat of the midday sun, which at times reached 35 degrees centigrade. For the expedition phase we spent one night at Bivouac of Gournier, which is situated about half way down the main Gorge.
Canoeing and Expedition Phase *(’We are adventurous of the river’)
Kayaking Phase: The rst phase (5 days) of the expedition very much revolved around improving the skills, techniques and con dence of the cadets when paddling their kayaks in moving and
ONE COULD NOT BUT BE OVERAWED BY THE SHEER ENORMITY OF THE ROCK FACES
180 CADET FORCES
THE RIFLES