A proper Nepali kayaking TR (with pics!) [Archive]

View Full Version : A proper Nepali kayaking TR (with pics!)

Kellie

02-08-2006, 09:57 PM

As some of you know, I headed over to Nepal for last Nov/Dec. I went with the hope that it would "work out" to have some days on the river, as I'd love to one day actually be a kayaker.

So, after some sightseeing . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/DSCN0025.jpg

and a little mountain time . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/DSCN0045.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/DSCN0058.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/DSCN0080.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/DSCN0117.jpg

. . . I ended up in Pokhara (lakeside town at the base of the Annapurnas), ready to see what I could find.

Things worked out better than I could have hoped, as I met a great group of kayakers through the Ganesh Kayak Shop in Pokhara. This shop is owned by a French guy named Charlie who came to Pokhara and never left . . . not shockingly as it's one of the most amazing places I've been. Anyhow, Charlie was all about knowing who the kayakers in town were, what levels they were at, and what trips were in the works. I started out by joining a 3 day rafting/boating trip down the Kali Gandaki . . . super cool experience with 6 rafters, 9 international boaters, and 3 Nepali safety kayakers. After seeing much of the area from a trail, it was super cool to see it from the river, and look back upriver with a Himalayan giant in the background.

I ended up continuing to boat with Danny and Carla that I met on the Kali . . . spending 8 of 11 days exploring 5 rivers from west of Pokhara to east of Kathmandu. Super cool experience, especially since I learned a ton about boating, practiced my uncanny ability to find the biggest holes in the river and paddle straight into them (the subject of much laughter, I might add), and finally achieved >50% on my rolls! I think the latter was the best because swimming rapids is really no way to run a river :wink: .

Anyhow, I'll let the pics do the talking . . .

A side creek entering the Kali Gandaki . . . how do you like my gaper steeze?
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0618.jpg

The group, just before confluence with the Kali . . . notice the Nepali "fan club" on the bridge. It was pretty crazy because Nepalis lined the shores and bridges where we were (especially when it was just Carla and I) - it was odd to feel like a constant exhibition, but that's to be expected in a country where people can't even swim . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0621.jpg

Crusing down the Kali . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0624.jpg

Carla is a super graceful boater . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0631.jpg

Desperate times call for desperate measures . . . this dude came through with the truck with a Saturday (holy day) transport to the Equator Expeditions camp and Bilefi River.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0642.jpg

But it was a cold ride for Danny and KG for the early am drive from Kathmandu . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0641.jpg

The Bilefi was my favorite river we paddled - medium volume and super scenic with huge boulders all the way down . . .

Yet another gathering to watch our show . . .
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0644.jpg

me
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0649.jpg

Danny
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0652.jpg

Carla
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0657.jpg

At the confluence with the Sun Kosi - 5 boaters, 5 home countries (USA, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Nepal), and 4 native languages . . . such a cool experience!
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f131/skierkellie/IMGP0663.jpg

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better trip and am so thankful it worked out! Can't wait to get back on the river this spring :D

Dug

02-08-2006, 11:06 PM

Damn, sounds fun. Reminds me of my trip to Thorung La.

Are those drytops or full on dry suits? I'm guessing the melt water is cold.

bklyn

02-09-2006, 04:32 AM

Very Cool!

FreakofSnow

02-09-2006, 08:00 AM

I'd say that learning to kayak in Nepal would not suck. Looks beautiful there, deep gorges etc. Welcome to paddling, you'll dig it.

Kellie

02-09-2006, 08:10 AM

Damn, sounds fun. Reminds me of my trip to Thorung La.

Are those drytops or full on dry suits? I'm guessing the melt water is cold.

Just dry tops - the water was pretty chilly because we were there at the beginning of winter. But, earlier in the year, people paddle in shorties since the air is in the 80's and the water apparently pretty warm too.

Conundrum

02-09-2006, 08:43 AM

Way to get it.

Storm11

02-09-2006, 04:43 PM

What class of rivers were you guys running while you were there?...looks like about class IV from the photos.

p.blz

02-09-2006, 05:18 PM

Sweet,

Nice TR

I had kinda forgotten about paddling...til now...thanks:D

cloudpeak

02-09-2006, 05:22 PM

Nice!!!!

0BernhardFranz

02-10-2006, 09:09 AM

Sounds cool !

Yeti

02-10-2006, 01:43 PM

Those are pics of you learning to kayak? Way to jump in two-footed! Looks great.

Agent 00X

02-11-2006, 07:02 AM

Good times!!! Thanks for posting.

The green/blue color of the water is really cool but oddly I'm thinking... hmmm I wonder what that tastes like?? :confused:

Huckwheat

02-11-2006, 07:58 AM

Nice Kellie....thanks for sharing. I would like to see a hiking TR to....but I guess there isnt really a hiking forum. :)

Now we just need to some TRs from all those AK backcountry days. :) :)

Tyrone Shoelaces

02-12-2006, 06:57 PM

Nice Kellie!...OK..this is definitely convincing me that I need to give kayaking a try this summer. I can't believe I haven't yet with such great rivers so damn close to me.

gincognito

02-13-2006, 06:45 AM

Hey look! I'm in the kayaking forum! An odd place for me to be, but with a swell TR from a swell maggette, it just seems right.

Sick and ashamed and happy (and way to jump right in),
d.

powderwhore

02-14-2006, 09:56 AM

Looks like you had some fun over there!

Squirrel99

02-14-2006, 10:55 PM

nice Kellie! good to see a quality TR (and international nonetheless) in the kayak forum.

river trips in Asia, ski touring in AK, what's next for ya? ;)

02-16-2006, 07:15 PM

Hey Kellie, nice TR.

You happened to move to a spot with some very good kayaking also...Anchorage has some nice runs right in town.

See you on the river...

Kellie

02-17-2006, 10:28 AM

02-17-2006, 12:41 PM

Storm, they were mostly class III with some IV- in there, but the thing that was cool is how different class III can be as it varies from high volume and big to low volume and technical - definitely an eye-opener for me!

Agent, the water tasted fine! And believe me, I drank a fair amount of it :D

tk, I've heard that this area is pretty good for boating and can't wait to check it out! It's kind of odd to be excited for summer when I'm generally trying to drag winter on as long as humanly possible :)

The boating community up here is pretty small, but excitable. You sound like you would right at my wife's level - and she is always looking for good partners.

Get yourself a drysuit, and get in touch for some paddling. TFG has my contact info.

Todd

MarsB

02-27-2006, 08:19 AM

Great pics and TR, thanks for the stoke. Nepal looks like it was amazing experience for you, hope to see it myself someday!

AtomicTwinStix

03-21-2006, 11:25 AM

That water is GORGEOUS!!

I seem to have a knack for being an exhibitionist too...

PSA: Dont make boat adjustments when friends camera lens is out of view...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/greshamb/paddling11.jpg

Mybad!

04-08-2006, 11:35 PM

Cool pics. I have only paddled in CO but might make a few trips this year. I doubt to Nepal though.