Words : Steve Brooks Photos : Steve Brooks
PADDLER 31
EXPLORING
AUSTRIA
Words : Steve Brooks Photos : Steve Brooks
It was the first week of June at home in the Arlberg region of western Austria . Josefa had just arrived from Chile and was settling into our house . It was her first time out of South America , a big three-month adventure for her .
MADAUBACH GORGE
The previous winter ’ s snowpack was low , and with spring melt due to start in a week , we had a few days off , so I proposed we kayak the Madaubach . Situated in the stunning Lech Valley in the state of Tirol , the Madaubach Gorge is something special . I first kayaked it in 2020 during COVID-19 , when tourists were still banned from visiting but allowed to explore our local area .
It is a deep , tight gorge that starts in the western part of Austria . The Alpine stream makes its way down to join the Lech River , one of the few free-flowing rivers in the eastern part of Austria . So , after explaining the action plan , we got ready for an early start the following morning .
PADDLER 31