Cinquetta
From KayakWiki
Places | Europe | Pyrenees (Spanish) | The Chinquetta
Category : Whitewater river
Where? : Don't use the mountain pass from the Esera Valley as it will inevitably be blocked by snow some 40 km up and there are no signs to warn you of this (25 April 2004). Head for San Juan de Plan.
Put in : Two sections. The first bridge after San Juan de Plan marks the divide. At the second roadbridge it's Class IV. Just follow the road 800m downstream of this roadbridge.
Approx length : 8 km (all toghether)
Access rights : This is a very placid valley with a few cattle. People seem very friendly, but most likely you won't meet anyone.
Major hazards : Difficult rapids in tight gorges. Remember you cannot rely on bank rescue techniques... oh and there are some trees.
Description :
My favourite river in Pyrenees so far. The upper section can be run in the full but may need some scouting. The lower has a dangerous two tier drop after a difficult rapid, a shame as the bottom fall is a classic and safe 8m drop but the top drop cannot be fully inspected let alone providing safety cover. Oh and the put in after portaging the aforementioned affair is a bit of an adventure in it's own right.
Oh and be aware that the bridge at the roadbridge in the middle is not a suitable takeout if you're not planning to run the weir under the bridge.
