Researching the Unknown
Just over a week until we travel and preparations are stepping up. Lots of people have been asking me about how we find rivers to look at so I thought I'd post up the process I've been following here.
Accessibility
First, is it accessible? If there's no way in to the river then there's not a lot of point in including it in the itinerary. While roads or 4x4 tracks are ideal, we're resigned to the fact that some of the wildnerness runs we're looking at are going to involve walking in through the 35 degree, 100% humidity heat.
Steepness
Secondly, how steep is it? While 60m/km might be feasible grade V on a roadside run in Norway or California, it's a less appealing prospect in the bottom of a canyon with no way to escape. Most of the runs we're looking at vary between 20 and 50m/km.
Map of river system in Taiwan with contours marked at put-in.
Watershed
Thirdly, where's the water coming from? All the rivers we're looking at are fed by rainwater so the size and shape of their valleys can make big differences. Different shaped drainage basins can mean flashy rivers or gradual flow changes while different sized drainages make the difference between low and high volume rivers.
Map of river system in Taiwan with watershed marked up to the edge of the map sheet. Obviously it extends north from here.
Geology
Lastly, what's the geology like? Although you can't tell from a topo map, a good geological map can make the difference between paddling on high quality granite or even marble (both of which exist in Taiwan) and paddling on siphoned and chossy shale and schist.
All in all, we're fairly confident that we've got some good options lined up and, wherever we end paddling, there's going to be room for plenty of adventure time on the water!
Accessibility
First, is it accessible? If there's no way in to the river then there's not a lot of point in including it in the itinerary. While roads or 4x4 tracks are ideal, we're resigned to the fact that some of the wildnerness runs we're looking at are going to involve walking in through the 35 degree, 100% humidity heat.
Steepness
Secondly, how steep is it? While 60m/km might be feasible grade V on a roadside run in Norway or California, it's a less appealing prospect in the bottom of a canyon with no way to escape. Most of the runs we're looking at vary between 20 and 50m/km.
Map of river system in Taiwan with contours marked at put-in.
Watershed
Thirdly, where's the water coming from? All the rivers we're looking at are fed by rainwater so the size and shape of their valleys can make big differences. Different shaped drainage basins can mean flashy rivers or gradual flow changes while different sized drainages make the difference between low and high volume rivers.
Map of river system in Taiwan with watershed marked up to the edge of the map sheet. Obviously it extends north from here.
Geology
Lastly, what's the geology like? Although you can't tell from a topo map, a good geological map can make the difference between paddling on high quality granite or even marble (both of which exist in Taiwan) and paddling on siphoned and chossy shale and schist.
All in all, we're fairly confident that we've got some good options lined up and, wherever we end paddling, there's going to be room for plenty of adventure time on the water!
posted by Pete Cornes at 3:26 pm
