The Raundalselva returned to normal medium-low levels after a couple of days so we decided to blast a few sections of it. We’re camped right near the put-in of the Playrun so we decided to do that first. Shortly after the start is the rapid named Morning Glory. This is a steep drop into a wave / hole type affair. Then came another shoot with a line down the middle, after which the drop by the road is reached. Chase and Matt did this both choosing to avoid the hole in the middle by sticking to the right. Sick.
Pleasure cruising rapids then continue to make their way down the beautiful Raundalselva valley. Free-riding commenced in earnest – rock spins, grinds, grabs and booming enders. You name it, the boys did it. Eventually we got to the 2m drop which was looking okay at low level we were paddling at so off we went boofing our hearts out to clear the hole.
Later in the afternoon Eddie had to leave us to perform some errands in town so the remaining threesome of Matt, Chase and Guy went to Reimgard to paddle the Train Station section. After driving along the platform at the train station and still failing to find the car park (turns out there isn’t really one) we got on to enjoy 7km of amazing river. The first section up to the must run rapid was a stiff grade 4. Chase had a little party in the hole in the must run whilst Matt and Guy snuck round the right. Soon after came the ‘grade 7′ section. Not really grade 7 in our book but plenty hard enough for a portage. There are 4 or 5 drops, all pretty clean but very powerful. There is one awesome looking slide but the entrance is blocked by a particuarly large hole…shame.
More great rapids continued before we reaced the takeout and our campsite. Eddie was already cooking dinner like a well trained housewife…glorious.
Guy on Morning Glory on the Playrun
Chase on the drop by the road
Guy flying off the 2m drop
