Firtina/en
Firtina | |
Country | Turkey |
Region | Black Sea Coast |
Class | 3-5 (X) |
Map | Firtina |
Tributaries |
?? |
Mouth | Black Sea |
Other rivers |
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Firtina (Fırtına) is one of the most interesting rivers on the Black Sea coast. This region receives a lot or precipitation (as clouds are coming from the Black Sea and stop on the mountains). That makes it possible to run rivers even in the high summer.
There is a road all the time along the river, and in most places it is possible to do "road scouting" (except for the gorge at the castle).
To get there go from Trabzon the the east, after Pazar town take the road to Çamlıhemşin. Don't let yourself fool about the high number of raft companies. They operate only on the lower section, the middle and upper sections are "kayakers only". Ca. 5 km above Çamlıhemşin there is the "Otel Doga" hotel. Its run by the well-travelled Idris and it the perfect base to explore the valleys. Idris speaks fluent English and French! There is no camping facilities near the hotel, but Idris might suggest you some places further upstream. Anyway, the rooms are not expensive and food is delicious.
Spis treści |
River Sections
Upper
- Put-in: near the main village Cat, it is worth to drive up the left valley for about 2 km.
- Take-out: on the left bank of the river, paddle as long as you dare to, but be aware of numerous class 5 and 6 sections.
- Length: ?? km
- Time: a few hours
- Gradient: ??? ‰
- Difficulty: 3-5 (6,X)
- Last update: 2012 r.
We drove up the valley quite a long way above the castle gorge. We started on the left-hand tributary upstream of the village Cat right at a class 4-5 rapid, very steep, fast, shallow. Afterwards it happened to be class 3-4, 3. Then we had a long portage (it's worthwhile to recognize it from the road while driving up the valley), and then up to class 5, and another portage. We finished there.
Paddling on this section was quite exploratory. Gradient regular (portages much steeper, with huge boulders). River flows fast, eddies are often very small. Most of the rapids one can scout from the road.
Above the Gorge
- Put-in: bridge where the road changes from left to right
- Take-out: bridge where the road changes from right to left (last bridge before the castle gorge). To get there drive a road coming to Zilkale castle, and further up.
- Length:
- Time:
- Gradient:
- Difficulty:
- Last update: r.
section description is missing
Section above the gorge looks as if it is quite steep. Warning: in case of swimming, the kayak might end up in the gorge!
The Gorge
- Put-in: on the bridge above the gorge. To get there drive a road coming to Zilkale castle, and further up.
- Take-out: on the bridge below the gorge, on the left bank of the river.
- Length:
- Time:
- Gradient:
- Difficulty: 4-5?
- Last update: r.
section description is missing
Section which requires just a small amount of water! The road is far way up, and leaving the gorge is virtually impossible.
Otel Doga run
- Put-in: on the bridge below the gorge, on the left bank of the river (a few km above "Otel Doga").
- Take-out: on the left bank of the river when the river gets flat.
- Length:
- Time: 2-2.5 h
- Gradient:
- Difficulty: 3-4 (4/4+) (water level 30 cm on the gauge below the Polis Evi Cataract)
- Last update: 2012 r.
Beginning quite easy, class 3+. Before "Otel Doga" interesting rapid class 4-4+, big water, which large stoppers. After ca. 30 minutes one arrives to "Otel Doga". Afterwards more interesting. It may be worthwhile to scout a few rapids. Be sure not to miss the take-out and enter accidentially the following cataracts.
Polis Evi Cataract
- Put-in: Most padddlers continue from the Otel Doga run. If the water is too low for that you can put-in at the end of the flat section 2 km above Çamlıhemşinon.
- Take-out: at the police station ("polis evi") at the beginning of Çamlıhemşin, on the left bank of the river.
- Length: 1 km
- Time: 1-1.5 h (20 min if you know the lines)
- Gradient:
- Difficulty: 4-5 (5+) (water level 30 cm on the gauge below the class 5 rapid)
- Last update: 2012 r.
This most serious part of the classical Firtina sections consists of a very long and steep series of rapids between large boulders, big water, some siphons. More friendly in late summer and autumn. Don't attempt this run in high water. One can scout from the left bank of the river. Setting up safety is difficult, especially that there are not too large pools.
Çamlıhemşin Run
- Put-in: on the left bank of the river, above Çamlıhemşin, close to the police station.
- Take-out: on the bridge above the quarry.
- Length:
- Time: 2-2.5 h
- Gradient:
- Difficulty: 4-3 (4+/5-, 4+/5-) (88-93 cm on gauge in the middle of the section)
- Last update: 2012 r.
From the beginning quite regular, a few stoppers behind the boulders (some of them quite powerful, depending on the water lewel). After some time large hole at a boulder weir - it's possible to scout from the left bank of the river. There is a kicker on the weir. Next difficult rapid - large boulders, left part goes to the undercut, on the right side - drop, ca. 2.5m. One can setup safety on the right bank of the river.
Afterwards the most difficult rapid with a big undercut ledge on the left and enormous holes. You can scout from the left bank of the river, on the right side - chicken line.
Further down a long class 4 rapid. There are several big water rapids on the sections. River can be more difficult with higher water level!
Upper Rafting Section
- Put-in: on the bridge above the quarry. You can also start this run right after the two class 5 rapids of the Camlihemsin run.
- Take-out: small road bridge below the rafting restaurants.
- Length:
- Time:
- Gradient:
- Difficulty: 3 (4+)
- Last update: r.
Looks mostly easy from the road but the hardest rapids are hidden. Scout the ones at the huge rock with the Caykur sign and behind the restaurant where the rafts start. Both have big holes and can turn nasty for swimmers. Besides that a great playrun which gets never boring. Especially good with big water in late spring and summer.
Lower Rafting Section
- Put-in: small road bridge below the rafting restaurants.
- Take-out: Black Sea, right side 100 m aside the confluence.
- Length:
- Time:
- Gradient:
- Difficulty: 2-3 (3+)
- Last update: r.
The easiest section, runnable by rafts and duckies. It's worth doing with beginners or if the water level is high (too high for the other sections). Don't let you fool from the impression you get from the road. Even the last 3 km is well worth paddling and it's a great experience to reach the sea by boat.
Water level
GPS Coordinates
Map
External links
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