Autumn 2019 Base Arlberg
Summer flew bye and quite suddenly we woke up one morning and the weather and atmospheric conditions had changed. The mornings were crisp with a heavy dew and the vegetation up high in the mountains was turning a rust colour - it meant Autumn was here!!
Now the levels had dropped on the river Oetz our Creeking Courses were also in full swing. The Lower Venterache and Upper Oetz were providing plenty of action and of course those deep blue skies coupled with the colours of the falling leafs were the perfect backdrop to a great days creeking.
We received a few days of heavy rain in the valley and light snow up in the mountains. The river Lech was back up and our Class 2-3 Improvers Courses were making the most of the river levels.
The Imst Gorge was working, albeit at a rather more chilled out volume but the waves were providing some good hits plus, we still had that big and bouncy feel through the rapids with more time to relax and catch our breath between each rapid.
Our Beginner Courses up on Lake Verwall were continuing, the views of the snowcapped mountains was stunning and that final kayaks kayaking in the beautiful Lech valley was great. It was not all cold and wet with the majority of days full of sunshine, you just noticed the difference in temperature when you came into the shade!
Our final course in Austria was held on the Sanna. It was one of the lowest levels I have every kayaked the Sanna and it was great to make moves and teach on. The Pians rapid had lost its strength but the gradient was great to move between the rocks from one side of the river to the other, we were making moves above sticky holes and using creeking techniques to drop into eddy’s!! Yes, the water was cold but the sun was shining and with the right kayaking equipment you stay nice and dry and toasty!!
With Base Arlberg packed up for the Winter, our team had their final meal together at the Skiing Buddha in St.Anton am Arlberg. Stanzin was leaving for Rishikesh, India and Steve was meeting him in New Delhi before they both travelled up to the Himalayas to keep the kayaking season going for another month!!
