Looks like you were way off route at times after the Douglas boulder.
@Trippenzoid8 күн бұрын
These are the sort of arrogant spanners that go missing and end up costing us a fortune in body recovery. Cretins.
@00jim10 күн бұрын
Epic footage Guys, well done👍
@funwithalf11 күн бұрын
Great video. I just moved to South Shields. Really tempted to start exploring this way. I did the same in bicycle: ride in one direction, and take the bus back to the starting point at the end of the day. I made it to Berwick, north-wards, in short rides across several weekends. Any recommendations to start doing this by kayak?
@craigbloxham83288 күн бұрын
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 🌊
@FissionChips11 күн бұрын
A great video but the most amazing aspect to me was that Ben Nevis is, or seems to be, a pile of rocks, one on top of another and each covered in fissures!
@landhopper429612 күн бұрын
Quite a video! You guys did really well. Your guide is amazingly calm but I suppose this is his “office”! I like the music.
@craigbloxham832811 күн бұрын
@@landhopper4296 Thank you. Our guide Louis was amazing. Making us feel safe to the summit 👍
@stevesterl12 күн бұрын
How long did it take you to paddle that route?
@craigbloxham832811 күн бұрын
I think probably 3 ish hours. Was in no hurry, just enjoying the time on the water and taking in the views 😊 Happy paddling.
@stevesterl12 күн бұрын
Great video Craig thank you. I’ve been to Jackies beach so many times and I didn’t know about the ships boiler. Chris Howey got me into the kayaking and I’m addicted. Keep the videos coming mate and stay safe
@craigbloxham832811 күн бұрын
Thanks Steve. Addictive indeed. A very calming pursuit and a great way of spending your day exploring 👍🌊
@louiskennedy916112 күн бұрын
Thank you for the good day out Craig and Ian! Also thanks for putting this together Craig! - Louis from Kennedy Mountaineering.
@JimReid-cb8lx12 күн бұрын
For those with low self preservation instinct.
@ruperttristanblythe751219 күн бұрын
Try doing it blindfolded
@andrewgilbertson535620 күн бұрын
Try it in full winter conditions. Then a white out.
@petermaling94321 күн бұрын
Excellent work, thank you so much. If I had one suggestion it would be to lose the music, which for me robs the action of its genuine suspense and reality. With no visible guitarist up the mountain, it sounds really false to be hearing one. Nevertheless this is the best video of its type I’ve seen on KZbin. Thanks again all.
@craigbloxham832821 күн бұрын
@@petermaling943 Thank you for your feed back Peter, it's much appreciated 🙏
@petermaling94321 күн бұрын
@@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.
@craigbloxham832821 күн бұрын
@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. 🙂 👍
@jamesallison260622 күн бұрын
Terror? First done this route 40 something years ago. I also down climbed it after doing Observatory Ridge Direct, and solo'd it on another trip, but by far the best time on the ridge was a winter ascent. Magnificent!
@Sydopath18 күн бұрын
You’re da superman!
@sprecklesville23 күн бұрын
Confused the heck out me how your guide managed to jump ahead of you at Tower Gap and belay you out of it, until I realised there was another guide - where was he/she hiding!?!? 🤣
@craigbloxham832820 күн бұрын
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 🙌
@markalanshaw495023 күн бұрын
My stomach is churning just watching this! Makes my Liathach excitement a bit tame in comparison, well done boys! A great if not terrifying video! Cheers Mark!
@craigbloxham832823 күн бұрын
@@markalanshaw4950 🙂👍
@EJM-lr3jx24 күн бұрын
Top guy Louis 🙏
@craigbloxham832820 күн бұрын
Top guy indeed 💪
@charlesrobert952724 күн бұрын
Great video, well done.
@craigbloxham832824 күн бұрын
@@charlesrobert9527 Thank you 🙂
@YogaNorthernIreland24 күн бұрын
Where is the joy in this 😮?
@tomtom440522 күн бұрын
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?
@paulmitchell534925 күн бұрын
Clickbait title. Nice climb however.
@apostatepaul25 күн бұрын
Fabulous video. What a route!
@otome307225 күн бұрын
Great track n vid shots of those slithering sea snakes !
@tealrustsage2428 күн бұрын
Wow and woohoo! What a thrilling trip. You gentlemen have definitely proven that inflatable rafts CAN handle some rapids. I've been watch several videos saying they can't possible take anything but a calm lake. You have proven that statement to be very inaccurate! Thanks! I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Intex Exursion Pro. I am hoping it can handle half of what you did with yours. If so, I will be thrilled.
@craigbloxham832826 күн бұрын
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 🌊👍
@tealrustsage2425 күн бұрын
Thanks for responding and great advice! Look forward to more videos!
@Kiestaff8528 күн бұрын
Cracking video Craig, not an easy task by the looks of it, I’ve yet to take this on. Stellar effort 👍🏻 You have a new sub, I’ll be uploading content my self this summer from around the lakes so feel free to keep an eye for like minded content. 👍🏻
@craigbloxham832828 күн бұрын
@@Kiestaff85 Cheers Kieran. Put TR on your list. Will keep an eye out for your content. Have a good summer 👍
@duneideann9241Ай бұрын
NAH !!
@MichaelWallace-k5yАй бұрын
How long does the walk up to the part where you hit the scree/ climbing part take?
@airbornevisuals2818Ай бұрын
depends how fast you go, its 1hour 45 to the CIC hut and 20 mins or so to the start of Tower Ridge.
@MichaelWallace-k5yАй бұрын
How long does the walk up to the part where you hit the scree/ climbing part take?
@craigbloxham8328Ай бұрын
@MichaelWallace-k5y About 2 hours walk in to the scree and start of the climb Michael. Start to finish took us approx 11 hours !
@kevinw1129Ай бұрын
Try doing it in Winter!😂
@craigbloxham8328Ай бұрын
Next winter for sure 🏔️😀👍
@robertpeters5278Ай бұрын
@@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.
@craigbloxham8328Ай бұрын
@@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 👍
@tullochgorum632326 күн бұрын
@@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.
@leegosling24 күн бұрын
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.😮
@petergilbert72Ай бұрын
Terror? I was terrified and I was just watching the vid 😂
@carole_lynnebaron5388Ай бұрын
Beautiful but yikes!! Thank you for the adventure. ❤🇨🇦
@craigbloxham8328Ай бұрын
Thank you Carole 👍
@mbthomas1979Ай бұрын
Excellent video mate 👍
@craigbloxham8328Ай бұрын
Thanks Matt 👍🌊
@alansayers9637Ай бұрын
Another spectacular film mate, thank you for bringinging a totally different perspective of the river and the bridges which we have visited many times. My heart was in my mouth when you went over and I saw footwear floating down the rapids. Can't wait for the next one. Stay safe mate.
@craigbloxham8328Ай бұрын
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 🙏 🌊
@stevesterl4 ай бұрын
Cracking video, makes me sad that im night shift tonight, i want to do this type of thing eveyday
@craigbloxham83284 ай бұрын
Thanks Steve. Looking forward to the light nights and warmer weather. Hope you get plenty of trips in this year 👍
@mbthomas19795 ай бұрын
That looked like an epic trip Craig. I'm very jealous. If you want to try my X500 just let me know as I'd be interested to know how it compares to your boats.
@elpeltys5 ай бұрын
Great video, looks like a wonderful day. I have and Advanced Elements kayak but have just bought an Itiwit 100 so I can take the Mrs too and it's great to see the Itiwits doing a trip like those I have done in the AF kayak down the Dee in Aberdeenshire.
@craigbloxham83285 ай бұрын
Indeed, I find the Itiwit range very robust and capable on all types of water. Happy paddling with the missus 👍🌊
@elpeltys4 ай бұрын
@@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?
@craigbloxham83284 ай бұрын
@@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 🌊
@elpeltys4 ай бұрын
@@craigbloxham8328 thanks mate, that's useful to know.
@lynnemarshall89905 ай бұрын
Superb 'Holy Moly ' fun!
@craigbloxham83285 ай бұрын
Hi Lynne, great fun indeed 🌊
@jonnyjobson4614 Жыл бұрын
Great video that's on the list for the summer
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
Cheers Jonny. Defo put it on your list to do 🌊
@oddhominem Жыл бұрын
Crap choice of music, as is often the case with these kind of videos.
@EzeAdventurer Жыл бұрын
Awesome adventure dude, respect for going for it, got a bit hairy at the end hahaha awesome!!
@alansayers9637 Жыл бұрын
There's no way I'd do something that could give me concussions as easily as this, but I'm grateful I can watch it through your camera, it looks just incredible Craig, love the drone footage and the sound of nature mate.
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
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 👌🏻
@jondodd4492 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful video - looks like you had an amazing time on the Helvellyn Massif! (J on from almond lodge)
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
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 ?
@moirahill6397 Жыл бұрын
Loved the music. I prefer vids like this with very little commentary so I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. P.S. I did Crib Goch a couple of weeks ago and...never again. I loved it when it was all over though. But it has inspired me to do more scrambling.
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
Thank you Moira. An interesting scramble indeed. Good to hear you made it across safely 👍
@stuartporter5428 Жыл бұрын
Hi Craig, thanks for your video. I live not far from the river wear and would love to paddle this stretch of the river with my missus (when there's more water!). I'm all set for buying and Itiwit 2/3 tomorrow. I can only get the 215cm paddle, do you think this will be ok size-wise? I'd love to paddle to Sunderland too (carrying round past wears as needed). Do you know if this is ok to do without getting into trouble with any 'river police'. Also, I'm guessing that for this trip you needed to remove the 3 fins underneath? ... Maybe see you down there sometime! Stuart :)
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
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 👌🌊
@stuartporter5428 Жыл бұрын
@@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?
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
@@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 !!
@stuartporter5428 Жыл бұрын
@@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.
@craigbloxham8328 Жыл бұрын
@@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 👌
@theparrot232 жыл бұрын
I have itiwit kayak too , would love to go this Durham Chester le street river but I don't have company , a bit nervous if I go by my self
@philgrieveson57292 жыл бұрын
We are down there all the time if you wish to come with me and my daughter
@theparrot232 жыл бұрын
@@philgrieveson5729 , I love to , my free time is Sunday 21st or next Sunday x
@emz_adventure2 жыл бұрын
Hi great video. Quick question. Do you need a permit to kayak/paddleboard on the tweed.??
@craigbloxham83282 жыл бұрын
Hi, Thank you. No permit required. Enjoy 👍
@jonathanlee78862 жыл бұрын
Did you do this with skegs in or out?
@craigbloxham83282 жыл бұрын
Hi Jonathan, definitely with no skegs. Cant do shallow rivers with skegs on as you will damage the boat 👌
@jonathanlee78862 жыл бұрын
@@craigbloxham8328 thanks 👍
@MoreThanJustaCleaner2 жыл бұрын
That's awesome Craig 👍
@craigbloxham83282 жыл бұрын
Thanks Karl. You must have a trip further north and check out this stretch of river sometime 👌 🌊
@MoreThanJustaCleaner2 жыл бұрын
@@craigbloxham8328 indeed 😁👍
@wildbluerhino2 жыл бұрын
What a fantastic trip that was. Already looking forward to the next :)
@Fishaholicboy2 жыл бұрын
“A bit of brokeback mountain”… 😂 looked like a fun place to kayak
@craigbloxham83282 жыл бұрын
It was fun indeed. First time on this river in Scotland. Look forward to returning this summer for more adventures 👍