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Thank you Alf. It is a great way of exploring our coast line, however conditions have to be perfect if using an inflatable kayak as they are vulnerable to wind. There are many stunning locations all along the Northumberland coast where you can explore. Happy paddling 🌊

@@landhopper4296 Thank you. Our guide Louis was amazing. Making us feel safe to the summit 👍

I think probably 3 ish hours. Was in no hurry, just enjoying the time on the water and taking in the views 😊 Happy paddling.

Thanks Steve. Addictive indeed. A very calming pursuit and a great way of spending your day exploring 👍🌊

@@petermaling943 Thank you for your feed back Peter, it's much appreciated 🙏

@@craigbloxham8328So glad you weren’t offended, Craig. Don’t worry - BBC, Channel 4 and ITV usually get it wrong also :) If I was forced to put music on your video, I would probably go for something from John Carpenter, Halloween or Escape from New York maybe. Or maybe some video game stuff like doom or doom2. Really suspenseful. But - you’ve got real sound to die for with the wind, rain and cracking Geordie voices, the kna’s.

@petermaling943 I quite like the laid back guitar music Peter combined with the more suspense tone at the end. I guess it's a case of personal taste at the end of the day, the kna's like. 🙂 👍

You’re da superman!

Only the one guide. Can't remember how Louis bridged the gap as my mind was on getting across myself. Louis was incredible, keeping us safe all the way to the top 🙌

@@markalanshaw4950 🙂👍

Top guy indeed 💪

@@charlesrobert9527 Thank you 🙂

What??? I'm feeling miserable watching it because I'd LOVE to be there right now. What part of this video doesn't look fantastic to you?

They are robust indeed. One thing I learned from that adventure, is next time tackling rapids I would definitely invest in a helmet. Have fun in your new purchase 🌊👍

Thanks for responding and great advice! Look forward to more videos!

@@Kiestaff85 Cheers Kieran. Put TR on your list. Will keep an eye out for your content. Have a good summer 👍

depends how fast you go, its 1hour 45 to the CIC hut and 20 mins or so to the start of Tower Ridge.

@MichaelWallace-k5y About 2 hours walk in to the scree and start of the climb Michael. Start to finish took us approx 11 hours !

Next winter for sure 🏔️😀👍

@@craigbloxham8328 one of my first big winter routes ( about 40yrs ago ). Conditions were superb, and we were virtually able to walk across Tower Gap as it was well banked with snow/ ice. Eastern Traverse is even more impressive when you can see what is below! You will love it, I think.

@@robertpeters5278 Sounds superb Robert. I can just visualise it now in the snow. I was disappointed we didn't get the views. I would definitely do it again, hopefully in dryer clearer conditions 👍

@@craigbloxham8328 A lot depends on the conditions. On our winter ascent the top pitches were covered in black verglas and pretty sketchy, even though we normally climbed at a higher standard. Retreat at the end of a long day would be nasty, so you'll want to ask the locals about conditions before you commit.

Do it in winter, then reflect it was originally done in winter with hobnails and single axe, and they did The Tower by the western traverse rather than the easier eastern traverse normally climbed these days. Norman Collie, Godfrey, Solley & J Collier climbing as a three in tweeds in 1894.😮

Thank you Carole 👍

Thanks Matt 👍🌊

It was great fun exploring this beautiful river. Thanks for watching Alan. And thanks for your kind words. Hope you and your family are well 🙏 🌊

Thanks Steve. Looking forward to the light nights and warmer weather. Hope you get plenty of trips in this year 👍

Indeed, I find the Itiwit range very robust and capable on all types of water. Happy paddling with the missus 👍🌊

​@@craigbloxham8328 just had another watch of this mate and had a question as a result! The only thing I'm not sure about with my new Itiwit is the seats. They seem low compared to my Advanced Frame kayak and I thought they might be a bit uncomfortable after a short time in the boat. How do you find them on a long trip like this?

@@elpeltys I haven't got the strongest back, but never had an issue with the Itiwit seat's. Always been comfortable even on long / multi day trips. Being low in the kayak is better if on rough water as you have less chance of being toppled out. I've only known itiwit and have no experience with other brands so nothing to compare to. Happy paddling 🌊

@@craigbloxham8328 thanks mate, that's useful to know.

Hi Lynne, great fun indeed 🌊

Cheers Jonny. Defo put it on your list to do 🌊

Hi Alan hope all is well with you and thanks for watching. The Eden was spectacular with amazing scenery. Hopefully will be doing more trips like this in 2023 and making more videos. Watch how you go 👌🏻

Hi Jon, thanks. Yes great fun in the snow. Hoping to do more of the same this winter. You been across the ridge in the snow ?

Thank you Moira. An interesting scramble indeed. Good to hear you made it across safely 👍

Hi Stuart, thanks. It is a great stretch of river indeed. Very picturesque. It is shallow in parts and you will bottom out. No skegs or you will damage the boat. Definitely need rain before trying this one out. The 215cm paddle is too short for that kayak. You will get lots of water coming in off the blades. I changed to 240cm and it was a game changer. I've also paddled from Finchale to Chester and from Chester to Fatfield. Parts of the river are private, Lambton estate for example but I was never challenged. Maybe I was lucky. Good luck with your purchase. They are a great buy. Exploring the rivers and waterway is such an adventure. Also try Durham City launching at the amateur boat club and paddling into town. Turn back at the first Wear and back to the start. The water is deep because of the Wear, so you can put the skegs on which makes a huge difference. Mighty see you down there one day 👌🌊

@@craigbloxham8328 Thanks Craig for the tips! I've rowed on the paid boats a few times in Durham. I'm sure we will try it in our soon to be purchased Kayak, plus try the other river stretches when we progress a bit. Where did you buy the 240cm paddle, locally or online?

@@stuartporter5428 I have a Bravo XL fibreglass. The aluminium version is cheaper, bought on line £60 but well worth it. Lightweight and excellent quality. Amazon have a range of 240cm paddles i believe !!

@@craigbloxham8328 Thanks. Today I bought the X100 2/3 person drop stitch version of the Kayak, plus the Ituwit 225-235cm paddles. They actually go to about 237/238cm. On the Kayak, there's a damage/mark (like a small puncture/indentation mark on the Kayak inside at the front, but it doesn't leak). I might take it back and get the standard 100 2/3 model instead if they don't have a replacement. Thanks for you help.

@@stuartporter5428 The x100 is a far superior kayak. I upgraded from the 100 to x100 after about a year. It is a much better boat with the solid floor and no drying issues after use. Happy paddling 👌

We are down there all the time if you wish to come with me and my daughter

@@philgrieveson5729 , I love to , my free time is Sunday 21st or next Sunday x

Hi, Thank you. No permit required. Enjoy 👍

Hi Jonathan, definitely with no skegs. Cant do shallow rivers with skegs on as you will damage the boat 👌

@@craigbloxham8328 thanks 👍

Thanks Karl. You must have a trip further north and check out this stretch of river sometime 👌 🌊

@@craigbloxham8328 indeed 😁👍

It was fun indeed. First time on this river in Scotland. Look forward to returning this summer for more adventures 👍

@@craigbloxham8328 look forward to it!

Two Fish Divers, Lombok 👌

@@craigbloxham8328 they have gone now?

Hi Scotty, because there is more than one of us we drop a car at the end point and then all pile in with equipment into another car to the put in point. When we finish we load up the car we dropped and head back to the start to pick up that car. Obviously only an option if there is a group 🌊👌

Thanks mate 👍