Rio Barbaruens, Spanje
Monday 17/05: Team split up with team holiday returning to les Dalles for some innocent walibi fun while the hardliners got ready for another exploratory run, this time down the Barranco di Barbaruens. Local guidebook promised a very committing run, rarely done, unicamente por especialistas y con grandes precauciones! This river has very rarely enough water but the tempting view of the final gorge above the take out convinced us to put on regardless.
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| the walk-in |
The 30' hike to the put in was not too bad and the minor trickle of water that we found this high up stil kept some surprises. No names but an Exo Demon was seen getting some hole beating and a narrow drop caused big air for a certain Eskimo Salto both resulting in some more swimming practise.
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| one of the many toboggans |
Not too long after the put-in a small tributary doubled the flow giving nearly enough water for clean lines in the narrow gorge sections. The flatter intermediate sections were a harsh bump and scrape, but then again, the scenery largely made up for the lack of water.
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| a topview of the lasest gorge |
The final gorge upon closer inspection had several people shouldering their boats but those who took the gamble had a nice end to a fantastic trip (neglecting some minor trashing in a narrow drop).
This little river will probably always involve some compromises, enough water for the flatter open sections probably means very full on action in the 3 gorge sections. Particularly the very constricted second gorge becomes a complete no-go'er at higher water with some very slippery portaging.
