Mastigouche!

Ever since the decision was made to travel to Quebec with Tyler and Lu, there was one video that was played over and over again. Tyler's Edit of the Mastigouche was not only awesome, but it fueled the addiction to this river. After an awesome afternoon on the Petite Bostonnaise, we continued to drive west to the Mastigouche. We arrived late, at around 12.00, found a lookout and set up our beds to sleep under the stars (it was clear out and we thought that it would hold off) At around 4am in the morning I was woken up by a drip of water in my eye, now at first a hungry bear drooling over its morning feast ran through my mind, but as I slowly woke up I realised it was just a light drizzle... which quickly prompted the the wake up of Lu and Tyler.. we got the tent fly out and just lay it over us with the hope it wouldn't bucket down... It did. So this more or less made for a pretty slow start to the day, all gear was wet and it was cold... but alas we were about to paddle the sickest river ever! So after an awesome omelette made by master chef Tyler we geared up and headed to the put in. The first rapid was a tricky one, Tyler fired first and styled it, setting the standard for Lu and I to follow, I was next... bit far left and had an interesting brace spin line... way below standard. Lu was next and she proceeded to show why she is the Womens Whitewater Grand Prix Winner, styling!

Tyler on the first rapid of the day 

Getting that nose up! (P. Tyler Fox)

Left - Sideways = (P. Tyler Fox)

Brace! (P. Tyler Fox)

Straight and centre =  (P. Tyler Fox)

Styled! (P. Tyler Fox)

After the first rapid there is a small raid in between to pools and then another horizonline which holds the next sick rapid. Upon arrival Tyler had already digressed that this rapid had a tight line.. but was the coolest rapid ever! And with a quick look, set up of cameras I was back in my boat ready for action... and Tyler was right... It was awesome! Tyler followed close behind and we continued  down the next two very clean drops.

Steep and Fun! (P. Lu Urwin)

Waahhhooo!

Tyler enjoying yet another Mastigouche run adding to his tally. (P. Lu Urwin)

Clean drops....beautiful (P. Tyler Fox)

After the 3 tiered slide came another drop, this one was a bit manky and pushing hard into the left hand wall, with time running out we quickly took the hard right line on the bank and continued on to the next set of rapids which was the Slide. The slide had a smaller rapid above it, a small flat section and then it was all on after that.  Now this slide was already famous and there was already some idea of what lay ahead. And with a long scout, Lu and Myself eddied out above the slide whilst tyler shot photos. Lu went first and from seeing her paddle it, I knew it was going to be fast and It was..... but clean... so clean. One of the steepest slides I have ever seen and paddled... and the most fun I have ever had in a kayak.. what a day. So good that Tyler and Myself did four runs altogether... EPIC!

Lu charging! (P. Tyler Fox)

Run number 2.... Elbows high! (P. Lu Urwin)

Tyler claiming... yeah boy!!! (P. Lu Urwin)

Round 3 blue angel Stylers (P. Lu Urwin)

Round four...best day ever! (P. Lu Urwin)

 The Mastigouche was a perfect way of topping the trip off, and has set a solid foundation for the start of my first overseas Journey, this was my last day in Quebec for the trip but it will not be the last trip ever... and I have been blown away by scenery, people and whitewater... what and epic trip, and in the famous words of Arnold Swazernegga, "I'll be back"

Keep the Flow, DHC Out!