Canoe Espalion to Estaing

[Leigh Lorayne]

Has anyone had experience kayaking/ canoeing the river from Espalion to Estaing?

This would be May 2. Spring so is the water faster then?
How were the grade I. -II rapids? Any real chance of capsizing? Any suggestions on securing my waist pack carrying valuables in case I do? Is the river generally deep or generally shallow with deeper sections?
I would be walking from St. come d’Olt to Espalion that morning. Is it reasonable to think that I might make it in time? The terrain looks pretty demanding. I could start early, but I am not a fast walker. I am assuming the company does group runs at certain times?? Or can you independently rent a kayak and drop off in Estaing? If a group I am assuming my pack could be driven ahead for pick up of water craft in Estaing. If independant could I strap my pack to the kayak?
I have tried to contact the company but I am not sure where my message went? And perhaps they are not open yet?
I come from an area of many lakes so I am comfortable on water and have been in canoes and kayaks, however moving water and rapids require slightly more skill..

 

[naplesdon]

I thought about it but I have a disability in my right leg which would have hampered me in an emergency. I saw some people doing it and it does require short portages at places where they have constructed barages to maintain the water levels. I would do it in a heart beat all the way to Cahors if I could.

 

[Manusp]

Has anyone had experience kayaking/ canoeing the river from Espalion to Estaing?

This would be May 2. Spring so is the water faster then?
How were the grade I. -II rapids? Any real chance of capsizing? Any suggestions on securing my waist pack carrying valuables in case I do? Is the river generally deep or generally shallow with deeper sections?
I would be walking from St. come d’Olt to Espalion that morning. Is it reasonable to think that I might make it in time? The terrain looks pretty demanding. I could start early, but I am not a fast walker. I am assuming the company does group runs at certain times?? Or can you independently rent a kayak and drop off in Estaing? If a group I am assuming my pack could be driven ahead for pick up of water craft in Estaing. If independant could I strap my pack to the kayak?
I have tried to contact the company but I am not sure where my message went? And perhaps they are not open yet?
I come from an area of many lakes so I am comfortable on water and have been in canoes and kayaks, however moving water and rapids require slightly more skill..

I can’t speak about the river itself, but I do have some experience with canoe and kayak expeditions and used to be a certified white water rescue technician. If it’s only level 1 and 2 rapids, you’ll probably be fine, but I’d strongly suggest to find someone to do the trip with you. Water can be treacherous in so many ways, but not being alone mitigates quite a bit of that.

Kayaking the river: generally river kayaks are smaller and won’t fit much gear, especially not a backpack. Even larger kayaks which aren’t good for rapids don’t usually fit wide backpack, but require you to bag your stuff otherwise.
I’d recommend canoeing. Put everything that can’t get wet into dry bags and use a carabiner or rope to tie your bag to the canoe. I usually shove it under the yolk or a seat. At rapids, there tend to be spots to pull over before and after to scout the rapid and/or portage, so that’d be an option, you can also just portage your gear and run the rapids without gear.

Make sure to have a good chart of the river that shows portage spots etc. you don’t want to approach a dangerous rapid without knowing on which side to get out. (Another big reason for being 2, it’s easier to not accidentally go down a rapid).
Also, wear a life jacket and water shoes at all times, and a white water helmet at each rapid. And never paddle drunk.

 

[naplesdon]

Good advice, when I was there it was a very lazy river that looked like more paddling than floating. Yes, helmet, life jacket and water shoes because the portages looked very mossy.

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Sage advice. Thanks so much. I did hear from the company today. They are not open for reservations until April1. The ?? guided tour ( not sure - have to ask) leaves at 1:30 and arrives Estaing approximately 5:30 pm. Gear is trucked ahead for pickup at Estaing. Families do this trip so the rapids ‘should’ be reasonable, but it is spring so the river could be running faster. I will take your advice and canoe with a partner. I am walking solo so I hope there would be someone to join me. Many questions to ask when they are open for the season. Thanks again for your words of wisdom. No one drinks and drives in our boat!

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Good advice, when I was there it was a very lazy river that looked like more paddling than floating. Yes, helmet, life jacket and water shoes because the portages looked very mossy.

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Good advice, when I was there it was a very lazy river that looked like more paddling than floating. Yes, helmet, life jacket and water shoes because the portages looked very mossy.

Thanks for your first hand observations. The river sounds quite tame, but I wonder what time of year that was or is that significant on that river. Where I live spring has high, fast flowing rivers because of snow melt, but maybe not in France. I am sorry that your leg is stopping you from doing something you would really like to do.

 

[Manusp]

Sage advice. Thanks so much. I did hear from the company today. They are not open for reservations until April1. The ?? guided tour ( not sure - have to ask) leaves at 1:30 and arrives Estaing approximately 5:30 pm. Gear is trucked ahead for pickup at Estaing. Families do this trip so the rapids ‘should’ be reasonable, but it is spring so the river could be running faster. I will take your advice and canoe with a partner. I am walking solo so I hope there would be someone to join me. Many questions to ask when they are open for the season. Thanks again for your words of wisdom. No one drinks and drives in our boat!

I much prefer higher water, it may look a little more intimidating, but there are fewer rocks exposed. It makes navigating a rapid easier most of the time, though some rivers you can walk in low water. Either way, rapids should generally have places you can portage around, especially when there are family tours run on it. I think it’s a brilliant idea and am just a little envious

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Thanks again. I am looking forward to it. I do love being on the water. I think it will be a lovely break from walking. It seems that you might have many Caminos in your future? So perhaps you will find yourself on that river. However as a white water rescue technician it may be a little tame for you, but then again, for one such as yourself, perhaps just being on water has its own magic, tame or wild.

 

[naplesdon]

My first hand experience was in late June 2019. Low water I suspect. It was hotter than Hades that week in France.

 

[shefollowsshells]

Has anyone had experience kayaking/ canoeing the river from Espalion to Estaing?

This would be May 2. Spring so is the water faster then?
How were the grade I. -II rapids? Any real chance of capsizing? Any suggestions on securing my waist pack carrying valuables in case I do? Is the river generally deep or generally shallow with deeper sections?
I would be walking from St. come d’Olt to Espalion that morning. Is it reasonable to think that I might make it in time? The terrain looks pretty demanding. I could start early, but I am not a fast walker. I am assuming the company does group runs at certain times?? Or can you independently rent a kayak and drop off in Estaing? If a group I am assuming my pack could be driven ahead for pick up of water craft in Estaing. If independant could I strap my pack to the kayak?
I have tried to contact the company but I am not sure where my message went? And perhaps they are not open yet?
I come from an area of many lakes so I am comfortable on water and have been in canoes and kayaks, however moving water and rapids require slightly more skill..

An absolute highlight for us!
I did capsize twice as you have to line your kayak up perfectly in a kind of conveyor system twice and then stay balanced.
Secure your stuff!

 

[Mel8]

Could you give me name and contact details of the company please. I’d like to try this too!

 

[shefollowsshells]

Could you give me name and contact details of the company please. I’d like to try this too!

Wish I coukd, but we walked into town on a market day with live music looking for a place to camp, and someone mentioned the place to us…
We put up
Our hammocks on the location and approached them in the morning. No other details were noted… this was le puy to Santiago … so just one of many details…sorry…

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Contact info:

Www.elsanature.com
contact@elsanature.com
06 88 20 14 39
Sylvain Lietout

The email I received from Sylvain says they are open for reservations April 1.
I googled them. Some nice pictures

Good luck! It should be fun!

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

An absolute highlight for us!
I did capsize twice as you have to line your kayak up perfectly in a kind of conveyor system twice and then stay balanced.
Secure your stuff!

Do you it would have been better to be in a canoe? Did you have a guide with you?

 

[Mel8]

Contact info:

Www.elsanature.com
contact@elsanature.com
06 88 20 14 39
Sylvain Lietout

The email I received from Sylvain says they are open for reservations April 1.
I googled them. Some nice pictures

Good luck! It should be fun!

Thank you!