French Alps this year....
Hello all,
Just wondering how people will be managing the predicted high water levels for the French alps this year?
Usuall plans of late May into June seem to be under threat of limited choice due to levels.
What are the options if you're out there and find things too high? What choice of rivers are there in the Briancon area with such high water? Is there an alternative area to go to at this time of year that will suit a group of grade 3/4 boaters?
Tony
yeah - the reportedly massive snowfall...
as for getting up early... unlikely really given we're a university club!
Well don't to to bed then...
Jeez what's wrong with young people these days - no stamina...
Seriously though the "Getting up Early" was a tongue in cheek suggestion. The last thing you want is to spend too long on a river (recovering gear after swims, scounting etc.) to find yourself committed as the levels rise in the afternoon.
(That almost sounded like I knew what I was talking about!! 
)
from what ive seen in that area last year there seems to be somthing for every level of paddler, no matter the level. If you stay on the largentare campsite( i no thats wrong spelling but i dnt care) you will find the best river by word of mouth on the campsite. its a paddling campstie with colleges from ireland and england all over the place, great fun and lots of help.
The chances are that if the water is high, there is going to be a smaller selection of rivers to paddle, for all levels. Especially the higher end stuff can be quite dangerous, especially for people returning to the Alps and remembering they were fine on a certain stretch last year. Remember that this is a completely different style of river than you find in Ireland and a lot harder to manage with groups if the people that are paddling together aren't all (also the weakest paddlers in the group!) up to speed with their riversafety skills. It is easy to lose gear and to find a whole group spread out all over the lenght of a stretch of river after just one swim so please be careful and have a solid plan of action. That plan could just be: we're not getting on this one today! I might sound like a bit of a gaylord but high water years are always dangerous! I'm not saying: don't go, it's too dangerous, but it might be worth investing in a good RSR or WRT course before you go out.
One other thing to end on a positive note: there are great lower volume steep creeks in Italy just about 5 hours away that are usally too low by the time everyone comes to the Alps. Keep an eye on the levels there: a gem of a chance for the higher end paddlers in the club.
I've been living in morzine in the alps this winter season and the snowfall has been good but not remarkable. I havent heard any reports of the southern alps getting any more snow than we have had here.
Where do ya get reports of predicted levels from? Planing trip to Briancon this summer so would be interesed.
Any particular reason why the levels will be high ??
Couldn't you just head out earlier in the morning ???