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THOMSON RIVER
This is a great trip - mainly grade 2 and very scenic. The old tunnel is amazing to see and there is a lot of flow into and out of the tunnel entrances and exits. The river actually has a couple of nice 2+ drops which could potentially become a grade 3 at higher levels. Its fun and runnable, especially for beginners at 0.65 but would be easier and even more enjoyable with some better play waves at a higher level. If you want an even shorter trip you can get out at Coopers, and potentially run laps. Distance is approx. 6 km to Coopers and another 6km to Bruntons.
The start of the Thompson at Bruntons is at the River Crossing, and boast an area clear enough to camp. The get-out is at Cowarr Weir, at the recreation park.
The river is mainly grade 2 - 2+ and the water is clear and fun. There are Numerous Waves and wave trains to play on. After a few km the river narrows and enters a gorge like section. This is roughly at the half-way mark. the entry rapid is a larger chute type wth wave train with a clear line. Following this there are a few drop pool type rapids, that form nice play holes with great eddys at the side. The Gorge is a fairly short section of about 1.5km, but following this is where the larger rapids are located.
There is a fairly long flat/ moving water section before you reach the first of the larger rapids. The river dissapears to the Right hand side around an island, and there is a line through the left hand side, but this is not recommended for beginners. this is the start of the triple stager. It is recommended to paddle the right hand side, and watch out for the water coming back in to the river from the right as you go past the island. The river then turns left and flows over one drop and then another to end the rapid. The last drop is the largest. It is possible to portage the rapid.
About 1km further on, you will hit the S bend, and then the gauge rapid. Both are quite large and pushy reaching grade 3 at paddleable water levels 0.68 and above. Below the gauge pool are the last two rapids, hole in the wall /waterfall rapid. he waterfall rapid is the right hand line, while the hole in the wall is the left hand line. Hole in the Wall is a wide slot between two large rocks on river left.
There is a pool at the bottom, and are not too difficult to boat scout. Follwoing this there is about 4 or 5km of flat water to reach Cowarr weir. At lower weir levels there is more current until you get closer to the finish.
The entire run takes about 6 hours from start to finish, depending on the group, So it is possible to run this in a day. It is a popular camping trip, with groups take 2-3 days to complete the entire leg. There are quite a few great camp sites along the way, and some have 4-wheel drive access
The shuttle is mainly on dirt roads. The Cowwarr-Walhalla Road can be very slippery when wet and a 4 wheel drive may be preferable.
River level should be above 0.65 for a good trip, but its better at 0.8m and above. The river is dam released, and eviro - flows are released twice a year, at end April and Mid November. The river can also be runanble during high rains in winter.