Summer Camp Ardèche, France
Grand Descent 2 day of awesome paddling
The morning began at the usual time for breakfast, to load up on energy before getting all of the barrels out on the field and hopping on the bus. The bus took us to Trois Eaux, just beyond the Vallon Pont d'Arc where we had left our boats last, and after making our way down, we put our barrels in, sorted out who was paddling with who, and launched off!
Our fleet was divided into the River Safety team (checking out rapids and helping the kids through them), while the other group retained the Mamma Duck formation of the Mini-Descent. Snow was mamma duck, with Summer, Oak, and Stream in the middle, and Wildling taking the sweep. Advance Adventure they joined us later in the morning after did one day more of paddling with an overnight in the bivouac. Eventually, we arrived at Bivouac de Gournier at about 17.00, as the afternoon sun was lighting up the 200m-high cliffs all around us.
The river crew stowed their boats and began hauling their barrels up the hill, and before long were taking tours around the site and laying out their sleeping bags in the tents. Because the weather was so nice, Moose allowed anyone who wanted to sleep out under the stars with her, and so a tarp was laid out, and all campers chose to! An everybody sat around in a large circle for a good few games of Mafia organized by the Advance Adventure. Bedtime was 10, although the whispering didn't stop until late!
The next day began at 7.00, organizing barrels and helmets and PFDs and lining up for breakfast. By 9.00 we had all made it back down to the beach and were hitting the first rapid, La Toupine. From there it was a short paddle to a large flat section of the river, near Madeleine Rock, where everyone rafted up to float down amidst snacks and stories!
The final stretch was through the windy corner and out around to Sauze beach, where we took out the boats and loaded them onto trailers. Everyone pitched in, and the whole process only took about 20 minutes, before Allain handed out cans of sodas to all, and we walked back to a waiting bus.
When we arrived back at camp, it was swiftly emptying barrels and maybe having a quick shower before dinner. Everyone was quite tired, so we put on a movie, and after that, had an early night!
- Breakfast: Cereal with milk, jam, yogurt, honey, bread and some fruit.
- Lunch: Pack lunch wrap (cheese,meat,tomatoes,hummus,salad and fruit)
- Dinner: BBQ - Sausages, meat patties (veg option available),green salad, breads. For desert: brownies
- Subject to change. Vegetarian options always available.
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Latest photos from Ardèche, France
- Grand Descent!!!
