Handy Hints for Avon Descenters

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The contents of this page are copyright© 2002, Robyn Khorshid.
All Rights Reserved.

The Avon Descent

Handy Hints

whilst Training

Walyunga Lost & Found Gear

Purchase a Local Park Annual Pass for Walyunga (includes Avon Valley National Park) from CALM, $17 (or "All Parks Annual Pass, $51) , ph 9334 0333 to pay by credit card or you can buy it at Walyunga when the entry is manned. Be sure to write your name and phone number on all your gear. You may accidentally leave it on the bank or lose it in the river. Even 'permanent' felt pen washes off paddles before long, so keep checking that your name and phone no. are legible. Dymo tape doesn't wash off, but it can be peeled off. Why not use both?

Walyunga gates are opened at 8 am and locked again at 5 pm sharp (2005). If you do lose/find gear circulate the details - this website, email lists, canoe club noticeboards. For this website's Lost /Found column email the details to rokhor@iinet.net.au which will also get it circulated by email.

The Valley Getting Around

If you have to walk out of the valley be sure to go to the southern bank (river left) to the Westrail service road as this is the only vehicular access for the National Park ranger (who may be coming to look for you if it's after closing time). The shortest way to Toodyay Road (and hence Posselt's Ford) from Bell's Rapid is via Campersic Road. Turn left off Cathedral Avenue just before the small fire station into Camargue Drive, then right into Campersic. After about 6 km turn left again into Neuman Road which takes you to Toodyay Road. Much quicker.

Mobile phones do not work in the Avon Valley but you may get them to work by climbing to a high point.

You can learn the valley quicker by perusing the maps of the rapids soon after each trip, so buying "Canoeing Down Under", by Terry Bolland is highly recommended. Maps of the rapids are at the back of the book. If your boat overlaps your vehicle at all you must tie a red 'flag' on the end of the overhang.

Car Security Support Crew

Car parks at Walyunga, Bell's Rapid and Upper Swan Bridge are well known for car break-ins. Leave money and valuables at home. Report break-ins to Midland Police, Morrison Road, Midland, 9274 6500 (phoning is sufficient). Police can then target these areas as troublespots. Make sure that the river bank where you plan to meet your support crew during the event is accessible for them and for you, at high and low water! Also, be specific, don't just say "Bell's"! Best to take them on a guided tour once the river has started flowing.

If you have helpful tips for fellow paddlers email rokhor@iinet.net.au to have them added to the list.

The contents of this site are copyright© 2000 - 05, Robyn Khorshid.
All Rights Reserved.

	The Avon Descent Handy Hints whilst Training
Walyunga	Lost & Found Gear
Purchase a Local Park Annual Pass for Walyunga (includes Avon Valley National Park) from CALM, $17 (or "All Parks Annual Pass, $51) , ph 9334 0333 to pay by credit card or you can buy it at Walyunga when the entry is manned.	Be sure to write your name and phone number on all your gear. You may accidentally leave it on the bank or lose it in the river. Even 'permanent' felt pen washes off paddles before long, so keep checking that your name and phone no. are legible. Dymo tape doesn't wash off, but it can be peeled off. Why not use both?
Walyunga gates are opened at 8 am and locked again at 5 pm sharp (2005).	If you do lose/find gear circulate the details - this website, email lists, canoe club noticeboards. For this website's Lost /Found column email the details to rokhor@iinet.net.au which will also get it circulated by email.
The Valley	Getting Around
If you have to walk out of the valley be sure to go to the southern bank (river left) to the Westrail service road as this is the only vehicular access for the National Park ranger (who may be coming to look for you if it's after closing time).	The shortest way to Toodyay Road (and hence Posselt's Ford) from Bell's Rapid is via Campersic Road. Turn left off Cathedral Avenue just before the small fire station into Camargue Drive, then right into Campersic. After about 6 km turn left again into Neuman Road which takes you to Toodyay Road. Much quicker.
Mobile phones do not work in the Avon Valley but you may get them to work by climbing to a high point.
You can learn the valley quicker by perusing the maps of the rapids soon after each trip, so buying "Canoeing Down Under", by Terry Bolland is highly recommended. Maps of the rapids are at the back of the book.	If your boat overlaps your vehicle at all you must tie a red 'flag' on the end of the overhang.
Car Security	Support Crew
Car parks at Walyunga, Bell's Rapid and Upper Swan Bridge are well known for car break-ins. Leave money and valuables at home. Report break-ins to Midland Police, Morrison Road, Midland, 9274 6500 (phoning is sufficient). Police can then target these areas as troublespots.	Make sure that the river bank where you plan to meet your support crew during the event is accessible for them and for you, at high and low water! Also, be specific, don't just say "Bell's"! Best to take them on a guided tour once the river has started flowing.