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CORUH RIVER TRIPS
12 MAYFIELD PARK
SHREWSBURY
SY2 6PD
coruh@dmanby.demon.co.uk
BACKGROUND
Way back in 1982 I was one of the first kayakers to paddle the Coruh
River. It impressed me so much with its scenery, the warmth of the
welcome from the locals and most of all the quality of its white water
that I immediately in 1983 returned to run the first of several Coruh
River Trips. I have carried on visiting the area ever since.
THE RIVER
The Coruh (pronounced choroo) rises at around 3000m. and flows for about
650 km. through the Kacgar mountains to the Black sea. The first third
of the river's journey is fairly flat water as far as the paddler is
concerned but what does affect him is that the water is used for
irrigation; the water flows out form the river over level fields and
soaks up the sun and warms up before returning to the river. That's
right: warm white water. Between the towns of Bayburt and Ispir the
river swings through 180 degrees and then enters a gorge. Here the fun
start and the next 180 km provide some of the best white water
available. The longest flat stretch is 8 km; the rapids vary from class
five classics to excellent playground grade threes, and almost without
exception the river gets progressively harder - so you have time to
"acclimatise" to the river. The Coruh offers a unique ten days of white
water, with time to play the rapids and explore the side valleys as well
as paddle some of the tributaries.
THE COUNTRY.
North-east Turkey is the undiscovered part of Turkey. The Tourist
invasion of the West has hardly touched the region. It is far removed
from most people's expectations. It has snow-capped mountains, rushing
rivers, deep gorges, 10th century Georgian churches, and ancient castles
perched on rocks right above the river.
THE WEATHER.
Hot and sunny with cool nights in June. Hot sunny and hot by August.
HOW GOOD A PADDLER DO I NEED TO BE?
If you are a grade V paddler you will love this river. If you are a good
Grade V paddler come on the first trip; not only is the Coruh high and
powerful but all the side creeks are running as well. If you feel happy
on Grade IV then by the end of June the river will have dropped and the
power subsided and the fun starts. Grade III paddlers will find that by
the end of July the river is manageable though still testing. One of the
biggest draws to the Coruh is the climate; not only is the sun shinning
but the water is warm, almost tepid! This makes a huge difference to
enjoyment and confidence; you stop playing a hole from exhaustion not
hypothermia! However, if you feel you may not make the grade do not
worry because:-
i) The river starts easy and gets progressively harder.
This gives
you a chance to warm up and get those rusty reactions up to speed.
ii) The water is warm so your head does not freeze when you
capsize.
No ice cream head!!!
iii) You will be in the company of better paddlers who know the river
and will guide you down. This will help your confidence.
iv) If you do get "gripped up", feel un-well, or just
want a day's
rest you can sit the day out and travel in the van.
v) There is an endless variety of rapids to play on for
all
standards of paddlers.
CORUH RIVER TRIPS.
DATES FOR 1998
1ST
TRIP
HIGH WATER maybe very
high water
Sunday May 31st. to Thursday June 11th
The water levels of the Coruh are very dependant on the snow fall of the
winter before. Some years the water level for this first trip is so high
we have to pick and choose stretches of the main river, other years I
have had some of the most exhilarating days on a river during this first
trip. If the river is too high we have at least half a dozen side creeks
explore; you don't get less paddling.
2ND TRIP
Sunday June 14th. to Thursday June 25th
The Coruh drops dramatically between May and August. However on this
second trip you can depend on a great powerful run. There may still be
one or two rapids we may have to miss.
3RD TRIP MEDIUM WATER
Sunday June 28th. to Thursday July 9th.
By now we have water levels that are no longer a surging snow melt rush
and the river has form and the playing starts in earnest. However you
still have to keep your guard up as there are still large holes hiding
waiting for the unwary and each day there is still at least one serious
grade V to keep you on you toes!
4TH TRIP
Sunday July 12th. to Thursday July 23rd
By now it is hot, 40deg. C. is not unknown, and the only sensible place
to be is the river! The majority of the grade V rapids have relented to
IV- and though one or two will still be V, the force has left the river
and now is the time to come and improve your white water paddling, surf
the waves, play in the holes, and learn how to extricate yourself
without getting hypothermia!
5TH TRIP LOW WATER
Sunday July 26th. to Thursday August 6th
This is the trip to bring your children (or Parents) on. Four years ago
I celebrated my 40th birthday by having a family gathering on the Coruh.
A real family trip; from a 73 year old father to a 3 year old nephew
running the river! (This was family, I might enforce slightly tighter
age limits.) By the way we had a great trip! A paddle raft, double
topolino and close supervision lead to some great smiling faces.
CORUH RIVER TRIPS
APPLICATION FORM
Name: Date of Birth:
Address: Tel: Home
Work
email
Dates
Requested
Alternative dates
Paddling experience.
Other relevant outdoor experience.
Signed
Date:
--
Dave Manby
Or alternatively, you can go DIY;
We flew to Ezurum in August 1995 & hired a bus for £50 to take all Twelve of
us to the upper Coruh. A team from Adrift were also on the plane & we even
beat this "Organised" trip to the river .
The upper stretch had one great rapid the rest was a little tame . Below
Ysufelli was better . Eating places were sparce till here and we had very
little to eat on the first three days on the river ( without backup ).
Once arrived at Ysufelli we stayed in a splendid whorehouse & paddled
successive stretches below the town , each day hiring taxi's to resume the
river ( storing the boats with farmers etc.. )
Well worth a visit but easy to do off your own back !
Steve Ware.
Frazer Pearce, F.R.Pearce@durham.ac.uk
9-Mar-98