Description
This is a magnificent canoe adventure which follows the River Derwent all the way from its early stages in the Borrowdale valley to the sea. Canoes are journeying boats and this trip provides the full experience. The expedition will take three days and involves either camping or use of other accommodation.
Depending on water levels, the journey begins near Grange in Borrowdale and follows the river to Derwent Water. After canoeing the full length of the lake (or sailing if the wind allows), the River Derwent continues through wonderful scenery to Bassenthwaite lake. After another lake crossing, you will rejoin the lower River Derwent and follow it to Cockermouth, then on to Workington and the coast.
This expedition will use many of the strategies that make canoes so versatile. The journey will involve negotiating rapids, and if there are sections of the river that are too challenging to paddle, boats will either be lined, carried or trolleyed (portage). If the wind is in the right direction we will raft the canoes together and hoist a sail. Camping will involve cooking, perhaps a fire, and making yourself warm and cosy to sleep in a bivouac underneath a tarpaulin.
A canoe expedition is a highly rewarding experience which involves some hard physical work at times. Anyone who would like to take on this wonderful challenge should have good physical fitness and be prepared to rough it a bit. Remember, it’s an expedition!