Monday 28 November 2011

Stikine thoughts again.

I posted before about this river, here but the mind still races to the grey walls.

It is here, I can feel the pull again and again. The nervous twitching in my heart, the monkey on my back, the chip on my shoulder. VHS machine memory of the gorge still wakes me from the dreams of yesterday. A cold breeze of emotions rattles the attic window. A rocking chair grandparent, all pipe smoke, ghosts and mirage.

It is here again, the call for the bridge – the way trucks make it raw. The yellow sign stained too many times with finger prints and hope. One rapid crashes to the next, large waves, larger than my brain wants to understand. Then hydraulic jumps, formations that dance. Before we were legion, the dreams of the pack united, with thanks, we supported each brother stronger with each stroke.

I ache to go again, to the belly of the earth. To play the harp that has us dancing, to sing in the womb of it all. The slither of water a crack in the earth, more than we wanted and all that we hoped for.


It is a chance to see our own beauty in the places we do not dwell. A place we no longer understand, the place we never look at. What this river gives, what it allows is a full stare at the creature lurking in our minds eye. We all know the creature, the one of our soul. It sits in cracked windows, all shadow and cold. It dances for no one. Its pleasure is fraught. With dangers and annoyance finding the secret it entombs. Our life keeps on living, as if we didn't know, the place we call our soul and the access we fight for.

This is the reason and the process alone. This place called the Stikine a place to take us home.


Sunday 27 November 2011

To All Prospective Browsers,



For a slight change to our normal blog updates, not that our blog updates are ever 'normal', we thought that some shared words would be welcome. Late on a sunday afternoon in November we got this email.

I went on a Pure Land Expeditions guided trip to Nepal and kayaked on the Sun Kosi river.We travelled from near Tibet to not far from India..I am 57 years old and putting it gently in my own mind past my sell by date!. The whole experience Daz and his very special Team gave us was simply outstanding.I like to be original but am happy to use the phrase of what you see and get is exactly what is written on the tin. I could wax lyrical about our experiences but I won't, because I don't want to spoil it for you. All I will say that pre match nerves,safety and attention to detail are the very cornerstone of all they do. If you do nothing else in life do yourself a favour and use this lovely Team to open your horizons and experience something uniquethat you will never forget.

Matthew Petre


My guess is that Matt is still living the moments he experienced on the river. For your dreams to come true find the trip of your lifetime at www.purelandexpeditions.com

See you all in the flow

DAZ

Saturday 19 November 2011

River life, Sun Kosi.








The contentment doesn’t come in waves, it is constant. Sitting in Chatra, close to India, we have made yet another trip down the Sun Kosi.


Our aquatic journey starts 11 days earlier, close to Tibet at our riverside camp. It is an expedition that takes us across Nepal. It is not just the rapids that make the expedition a great adventure, its much more. Jungle sounds and village life become a daily event. It is not just a great run for kayakers but rafters too enjoy the run. The pace of life changes, up at dawn to cups of tea in bed, then on the river after breakfast, picnic lunch spots and it is back in the flow. Watching the fishermen at work and the children playing when the rapids ease.


Camp nights are some of the best times, the sand still warm from the days sun, the light breeze and tales of the adventures. In the clear night sky a thousands stars become our duvet. Drifting to sleep and the water laps the sand brining memories of the day.


Before the start of the river journey we all have time to explore the chaos of Kathmandu, giving a great fortnights adventure. From the ancient temples to new shopping malls, Kathmandu never fails to amaze. From classic local places to eat to modern western cafes. Our Pure Land Expeditions trip, features nights in a quiet park of Thamel the tourist district - before the river journey begins. Its a sense overload, requiring time to explore.


At the take out, we run as standard, a private bus back to Kathmandu, overnight (16+hrs) although a flight is an option, bringing in the great Himalayan views is available.

Pure Land Expeditions is pleased to be able to offer the Sun Kosi not just as a fixed departure but also as private dates. So email now, to see what dates are available. bookings@purelandexpeditions.com




Marsyandi, still a great river.










Not so many years ago a dam was placed on one of the classic rivers in Nepal. We feared that we would lose the Marsyandi for good. In part this is true, we have lost some of the magic, but what is left allows for a day or so of amazing river running in the surrounded by white peaks. It is a place that still holds magic, one of the best runs in the world for many people. We have to agree.



Pure Land Expeditions have pleasure to include this on our bespoke Multi River self-support adventure, the fun never stops, the crisp lines never fail, smiles shine. We overnight in a hotel, so this is luxury self-support, no need to carry loaded boats. Day one is full of fun, thrills and spills, from the standard put in at Bhule Bhule, with harder grade water higher up – with the flat lake of the dam saluting us to the take out, its a long day. With time we can run the section again, or venture around the dan to Paundi, a subtle goodbye to the river as it takes us to the highway. The river still holds passion, rapids still amuse and the views are picture perfect.