Return to Hell - Upper Champi
Upon arrival in Laos and meeting the lads I was regaled with stories of their epic almost-a-night-out in the jungle. Both Craig and Lachie proclaimed no interest in ever returning to Upper Champi, regardless of the beauty within the canyon.
After a successful reconnaissance mission a day previous to locate a take out before the unrunnable drop, I had Lachie convinced. We put on to Upper Champi River with confidence and spirits high, despite knowledge of the inevitable jungle hike out. It was to be my first run and for Lachie, a chance to recapture the river on film.
On the Way to the Put In
The first 35 foot falls at the put-in is as yet unrun. There are two possible lines apparent; one that involves reconnection after 20 feet and one slide into boof line whose pools appears shallow. In either case, we left them for another day – preferably one with a little higher water.
We put in below and cruised down through fun, creeky class 3 with a couple of funky shelves until the first horizon line loomed. Getting out to scout I was stoked to see a perfect, super friendly 7 metre drop. Lachie remembered the line so went first, opting to drop off an angled lip with a correcting boof. From my vantage at the lip I watched him nail his line and disappear. Seconds passed and I started to weigh my options for rescue. Maybe ten seconds after leaving the lip Lachie appeared, upright and okay, from behind the left side of the falls. His paddle had snapped on impact and without the power to escape he’d been sucked in behind the falls by the eddy. From the top, I had seen nothing.
Sean in The heaven Canyon before HELL
After I ran the falls and subsequent slide drop below, Lachie and I began hoisting boats up the muddy escarpment for another run. With the boats up and just his paddle to reach, Lachie’s footing gave way. LC slid seven metres down the near vertical wall and landed softly on his feet, taking most of the impact with his face. Two deep lacerations were the result. Champi strikes again.
Mid Canyon First Aid
I patched Lachie up and we ran the rest of the creek, being very sure to catch the take out eddy. It was easy to see why the boys continued on from here; nothing sinister appears to be lurking around the bend, and upstream is just perfect.
The end of Heaven
Following our markers left behind during yesterday’s recco, we struggled up the muddy ridge. The clay soils give no grip whatsoever and most plants that would work for handholds are thorned or prickly. It truly is hell, even without a broken leg.
From the top you’re treated to a teasing view of the valley downstream and it’s a short drag through the coffee trees to our waiting tuk-tuk. I wonder if I can convince Lachie on a third descent…..
From Hell
Back on the road this arvo, heading east again to Tad Lo.
Sean Bozkewycz
