Mykl Messer

Bruce Berman

Pierre LaFay

PHOTOS from our TRIPS

TRIP REPORTS

Updated July 2, 2007

Think of rugged narrow canyons. See snow capped peaks and glacier fields. Add a brilliant blue sky and the hot Mediterranean sun. Look closer and see crashing streams flowing through boulder piles beneath dramatic geologic formations. Notice that the picturesque stone bridge just upstream is over a thousand years old. Imagine how the castle overlooking the river valley must have looked eight hundred years ago, when it housed knights on their way to fight in the Crusades. Combine France and the French Alps, great whitewater, beautiful scenery, and of course French wines and cuisine to create the most memorable whitewater experience of your life.

In the summer of 2008, we are planning three paddling trips in the French Alps that will explore some of the world's most scenic and delightful white water. Each trip will last ten days and include at least six days of paddling.

The first morning we will pick you up at the airport in Lyon and drive four hours to Barcelonnette where we get your boat. On the last afternoon we will drop you off at the airport for your return trip. Each night you will stay at one of the quaint gites that we have selected to be our bases for your paddling trips. Each group will stay at no less than two and no more than three different locations during their stay. This will allow us to be close to the rivers that we plan to run and have some time in the evening to enjoy the local culture.

Many of the runs are short; some days we will paddle two or more sections. There is also ample time for hiking and sightseeing options to expand your boating vacation.

Placing Yourself in the Correct Trip

Though some may find the food to be the most exciting part of France, there is a great variety in whitewater.  Because many of the runs are short, we will often make more than one run in a day. If we have a second or third run in the same day we might look at something a little more exciting. We will tailor the river choices to the skill and energy level of each group.

The intermediate level rivers in the French Alps are comparable to the Lower Youghiogheny, Section III of the Chattooga, Brown’s Canyon of the Arkansas, or the South Fork of the American.

Advanced boaters need to feel comfortable on the North Fork of the Stanislaus, Tygart Gorge, the Numbers of the Arkansas, or the Ledges of the Tellico. Each group will have a maximum of eight paddlers. When the entire group is paddling we will have a minimum of two staff on the river, with another running shuttle. On second runs we may split into smaller groups as desires and opportunities allow.

Non – Paddlers

For non-paddling companions who would like to experience France with our group, we have a reduced rate that includes transportation, lodging, and most meals.

There will be some activity guidance available while the group is on the river. Additionally, on the open day there will be staff guidance for non-paddling activities, or if you choose you can set out on your own with your map, camera, bread, cheese—and the appropriate tasty beverage.

Les Alpes 

Take out your map of Europe and look at southeast France. There you will see the extent of the French Alps. On the east is the Italian border and on the west is the Rhône valley. We will paddle as far north as Bourg St. Maurice, but the Alps extend past the Swiss border to Austria. The southern limit is where the Alps plunge into the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea. We will negotiate sinuous roads over high plateaus and through dramatic mountains cut by deep river canyons.

Look at the map - - the density of rivers is a paddler's dream. The stream character varies widely: from narrow creeks, to glacial valleys and classic canyons.

Trip Dates Summer 2008

  May 21 – May 30        Advanced I

   June 1 – June 10     Intermediate I 

  June 11 – June 20     Advanced II 

Additional trips may be added... so stay tuned!

Rivers

Our targeted runs include the Verdon, Var, Vesubie and Tinée in the south.  Farther north we find the Durance, Guil, Gyronde, Guisanne, Bachelard, Claree and Ubaye, and as you travel to the northern end of our range, the Drac, Severaisse, Doron de Bozel, and Isère. These classics are only a taste of the myriad streams that await us.

Gear

Though the air will be warm to hot and the skies blue, the water can be glacial cold depending on how close to the source we are. Bring a dry top or drysuit as if you were paddling on an April day in West Virginia with the air temperature of 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need your fleece, booties and poagies on some rivers. Most people like to use their own paddles and skirts, though we can obtain almost any boating need from our supplier.  Let us know ahead of time of any special equipment needs. Of course we supply the boats and outfitting.  Boats are available from Eskimo, Prijon, Perception, Pyranha, Necky, Wave Sport, Riot, BlissStik and Dagger. We will reserve one of your boat choices and have it waiting.

Lodging

The towns of Barcelonnette, Briançon, Castellane, and Bourg St. Maurice will be our home bases. We have accommodations at picturesque lodges and farms, providing regional French cuisine for dinner and breakfast.

In the evenings you will have time to explore the villages where we stay. With Pierre's guidance we will delight in the local wines and other treats that abound.

Prices

The cost for each paddler is $2,600 for each 10-day trip. This includes all expenses except airfare (we can provide some help in getting the best airfare deals) and alcohol. The cost for non-paddlers is $2,300, also excluding airfare. In order to reserve your place on the trip of your choice, please send a deposit of $500 per person to our office address. We will then send you an information packet with your confirmation. Due to fluctuations in the value of the US dollar there could be a small price adjustment as we get closer to dates.

Alpine Whitewater Française

  Who are we?

Mykl Messer is known throughout the Mid-Atlantic for his Rainbowave Paddles. He is a professional guide on the Upper Yough, the Cheat, Gauley, Russell Fork and other rivers in the Allegheny Mountains.  He has dual US-French citizenship, and speaks French jus fin’. He owns Mykl Messer Designs that crafts fine wooden furniture and lathe-turned objects in bustling downtown Valley Point, West Virginia.

Bruce Berman hails from Pittsburgh, PA. Owner of Bruce Berman Kayak Instruction, and Education Director of the Three Rivers Paddling Club. Bruce speaks French badly and has a Furniture and Sculpture studio, I Design, in downtown Pittsburgh.  

Telephone and E-mail Contacts

Mykl – phone: 1 304 379-9750
E-mail: myklm@aol.com 

Bruce – phone: 1 412 471-2525
E-mail: ybberman@earthlink.net

Staff

Pierre and Lionel LaFay speak excellent French, as they are natives. Together they own Coureurs de Rivières, a whitewater rafting and excursion company. Pierre is a formidable boater with an infectious laugh, and resides in Barcelonnette on the Ubaye River.  Big brother Lionel raced C-2 on the French slalom team (in the dark ages), and is based in Bourg St. Maurice, on the Isère.

Teresa Gryder, veteran guide, safety boater, and video boater, taught kayaking, canoeing and river rescue for the Nantahala Outdoor Center.  She speaks French only in sign language, and dwells in Flagstaff, Arizona where she does logistics for Grand Canyon river expeditions.

Mailing Address

Alpine Whitewater Française
2820 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
USA