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ABHAINN BHEAGAIG
Just past the Fassfern lies this unlikely-looking burn. A gem though! First descent: January 2007?
LOCATION
This burn flows into Loch Eil, a mile past the Fassfern, on the road towards Glenfinnan. From the bridge at Corriebeg it looks unlikely to hold anything, but further up are some great drops. Park in the layby near the turning for Corriebeg and get your boat on your shoulder. Get off at the houses or continue to the deer fence by the road.
WATER LEVELS
Needs water, but too much might be insane. If the Dubh Lighe is running at a reasonable level, but the Fassfern is slightly too low to be fun, you've got it about right. Too low and it'll be very scrapey!
GRADE
4/5. However, this is very continous: don't be fooled by the relatively easy grade.
DESCRIPTION/REPORT
Just off the main road, on the turning to Corriebeg, is a gated track. Shoulder your boat and walk up this track into the trees. The track climbs steeply for about 2km. At the end of a long climb, just as your lungs are about to explode, is a break in the trees on the left. Descend here and clamber over the fence to the river.
A drop with a boulder in the middle marks the start. From here the river offers a fast fun section over boulders and small ledges, before reaching two steep drops with tight landings. Don't miss the eddy: these are worth a look. Both land in walls at the bottom, but are clean enough.
A great mini-gorge follows these two falls, with more falls and ledges. It is worth pre-scouting just so you know where the eddies are and what is coming up. When the river looks as if it might disappear into a gorge, jump out. It does!
The first two drops are clean, and lead straight into the third fall, the biggest on the river. A rooster in the middle forces you left or right, down a 25ft near-vertical slide. However, when we did this (Jan '07), a large tree blocked the left hand side of the fall. The next rapid is also blocked by trees, although a river level portage would be possible.
Below this the river changes character and becomes more slabby. Look out for a triple drop with a nasty hole at the end. After this the slides come thick and fast: never desperate but great fun. In high water some of the holes would be sticky! One long slide sticks in the memory, with a magic boof at the top to avoid an undercut. After a weir comes the last section of slabs, between houses and gardens. If inspecting, please be discreet! Paddle down to the second deer fence (take the first on the right) and jump off. Brilliant!
PHOTOS
(click to enlarge)
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