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The Jore

It's still early in the day as we take off the Upper Rauma in the rain. Too early to go and camp in the rain. So what to do? We pull out the map, Manu and Reiner have a fierce debate in German Austrian, which as usual sounds like they are arguing about religion or something else that people care about with all their heart. It's emotional. There is a decision, and we'll check out the Ulvåa, a tributary of the Rauma that comes in just downstream of our current location. So we drive up and put on, not exactly knowing what we'll get. It's surprisingly wide, and more continuous than the Rauma for being in the same geologic area. Ten minutes later and we're out scouting.

Rok Sribar in the entry rapid.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5, heavily cropped.
We start walking downstream, and cross a footbridge. Ok maybe this is big but good. Then we walk downstream and it's so much gradient that obviously we can't run the slide. Then we continue walking down, and finally make our way to the rivers edge. Maybe this is the largest class III in the world? The gradient and volume are staggering, but all we have to do is get right. That and not swim in the entry hole, which looks to pack a punch at whatever water level we have. Not knowing the area we can't say if it's high or low, but it certainly is padded.

Rok Sribar drives left in the entrance. 
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5

Big and splashy. Don't go down the center. That about sums up our experience with the big slide on the Ulvåa.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Nikon 105mm f/2.5

We cruise around and find a nice campsite in the area. That's one of the great things about Norway, it's super relaxed about camping. Unfortunately that seems to be regressing a little due to the tragic nature of overpopulation; even now it's not as relaxed as it once was.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5

The Jore isn't too far away, and has similar characteristics to the Upper Rauma; pool drop to an extreme.

Great news for us, the weather has improved for the day! Yet another run I know nothing about. It's fun, quite like exploring when you read no beta. Some argue that beta ruins the adventure of kayaking, yet I wonder who is forcing anyone to search out this beta? Ignorance can be bliss, and a choice.

Rok Sribar and Manu Koehler start the Jore. I think we could put in higher up, but it would need more water to be worthwhile.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5

The first thing we get to is a big slide. Massive really. Not too good looking either. We portage past the steepest part and get ready for action.

Rok Sribar, Jore slide.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Nikon 105mm f/2.5

What a day, slide and place. Norway showing off why people love it so much. Manu Koehler.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5

We fly through the flat and are out scouting another high quality slide, taking turns running it and setting safety for a bottom hydraulic. Manu Koehler.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Nikon 105mm f/2.5

With a small group it's easy to make good time down this short run. Rok Sribar.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Nikon 105mm f/2.5


Just around the river bend we come to a rapid that makes us take a longer scout than normal. This one isn't so simple. Lots of water folding from the sides at the top, bottom and middle of the rapid. Rok Sribar probes.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Nikon 105mm f/2.5

Manu Koehler follows, entering the second folding spot here.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5

Then the river flattens out, and we cruise to take out as the weather turns sour and rain starts to fall again.
whitewater kayaking jora river norway photography paddling
Sony A7, Pentax 28mm f/3.5

Put In and Take out Via Google Maps.
whitewater kayaking driva river norway photography paddling


We all agree the Jore is a fine, if short river. Not terribly hard, yet rather intimidating at times, nothing is mandatory so it's not too hard if one is willing to walk the tougher spots.



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