High water France
The rain is expected to hold until thursday late to early friday is what I heard from the french guys today. The ban will likely remain inplace until well after reasonable levels have returned as it was put in place by the local prefect. Any word on what Italy's like at the moment?
My thoughts and condolences to the family of the french paddler.
Procrastinate now! Don't you dare put it off again...
Trip planned to Briancon for 12th-19th June. Group of mixed ability from L3 - L4. We were hoping that water would be medium at most given the spread of abilities.
Should we be looking to alternative areas at this stage even though it is 2 weeks away before we hit the water over there? e.g. Bourg san Maurice.
Anyone out there with a good judgement as to how the main rivers, Guil, Guisane, Brian Gorge, Ubaye upper & RC, gyronde etc could look like in 2 weeks if the weather improves and temps aren't too high.
Honest feedback welcome
JT
I wouldn't worry about water levels in two weeks time. Or even in a weeks time for that matter. From what we have seen the floods have already peaked, and the rivers will be on their way down.
Chateau Queyras webcam:
http://www.hautes-alpes.net/kayak-rafting/webcam-chateau-queyras.html
This is still obviously really high, but way way lower than 24 hours ago.
If it stops raining, the rivers should return to normal within 24-48 hours. At least this was my experience in the French Alps in the last big floods in 2000, when the road up to the Guil was washed away. Within two or three days of that happening conditions had returned to normal.
So don't panic. But if for some reason it continues to rain for the next two weeks, keep driving to Slovenia
See you out there, I leave tomorrow
Rob
www.liveoncemedia.com
Hi,
I'm french and live in Dublin.
Yes, It will be ok in 2 weeks, Currently it's forbidden to navigate in all rivers in the Alps, because 1 paddler from Briançon is death. But don't worry it's should be ok next week. The Guisane is my favorite river, enjoy. I'm looking for a kayak club in Dublin. Could you give me some information? I have my kit here.
picture of La Clapiére with 420 m3
La Durance "wave of the Clapière"
Guisane:
http://www.ledauphine.com/guisane-@/index.jspz?chaine=20&photo=24810
be careful of the trees after flooding
Just back after a week in rainy France, we moved from Briancon after a few days of high water and bans to provence then finally to Italy.
The levels are on the way down back in Briancon so it should be good to go soon...Have fun out there, the weather was beautiful near the end & still is!
Enjoy :o)
Hi Folks
We arrived into Briancon last night and the levels are still high but down on last week, we spoke with the local police this morning and there is still a "ban on paddling" for the time been, there is notices around the place and radio reports warning people not to use the rivers.
Cheers
Jimmy
Hi Folks
The Durance is now open and the levels are down a good bit. most rivers should be open by monday.
Cheers
Jimmy
I think all are open now.
Please be careful out there though - apparently there are changes to xbox on middle guil so expect changes in more than that. There was a lot of debris in the rivers 2 weeks ago too so god only knows where this'll all be now.
upper ubaye and durance below the lake are now the only closed sections.
Everything's still a lot higher than most of us will have seen before over there though so come back in one piece!
Hi Guys,
Word from KK on the bank of the Guisane this morning is that the ban has been fully lifted.
Cheers,
SC.
