Guiers Vif — Saint-Christophe-la-Grotte → Pont de Saint-Martin (Les Échelles, gorge de l'Échaillon)

About

Classe IV (5). Steep Chartreuse limestone classic on the border river between Savoie and Isère, dropping through the gorge de l'Échaillon to the Pont de Saint-Martin at Les Échelles. Distinct, technical class IV rapids with harder cruxes to scout; wood and undercut limestone demand respect, and levels rise and fall extremely fast. The gauge at the Pont de Saint-Martin at the gorge exit reads ~45 cm (4 m³/s) low and ~85 cm (15 m³/s) medium. Season: Rain-fed with a very flashy regime: paddle on falling levels after rain, typically spring or autumn (mid-summer possible after 2-3 wet days) Gauge reference: Hydroreel station Guiers Vif à Saint-Christophe-sur-Guiers; échelle Pont de Saint-Martin (BE 45 cm / ME 85 cm)

Recent sessions