The PaddlerUK magazine September 2015 issue 4 | Page 51

“It is hard to spot only one favourite river. I have a few in my mind
which are different from each other and in my personal opinion are
great for kayaking.
“Firstly, the Biluti River (Sayan
Mountains/Russia) – amazingly beautiful
river with lots of whitewater and just
mind blowing surrounding nature. I like
this river because it is remote, there are
no people, no roads and it is still too far
from civilization. Relatively easy
whitewater with clean lines, but you
always have the opportunity to step it
up and run something bigger and harder.
There are still couple of rapids which
we’ve ran only a few times. So it is also
quite challenging to run it from top to
bottom without portages.
“Secondly, the Bashkaus River (Altai
Mountains/Russia) – legendary river
with a committing lower gorge. I love
this place because of its spiritual power.
Deep canyon with vertical walls, very
challenging whitewater and feeling of
being isolated from the rest of the
world. Always happy to go back there.
“If I will have to choose one, then
probably Biluti, however, there are
many rivers I would love to put on
the same scale.”

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