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Clitheroe Canoe Club
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Altham to the Gannow Tunnel 28th Mar 2004
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The main objective of the day was to paddle through the Gannow tunnel. This was the reason we were dressed so unusually, even for paddlers! Indeed despite looking like an aquatic troop of Daleks the head gear was very necessary to enable the tunnel to be safely navigated, from it's western portal to the exit 511 metres later in the east.. The tunnel goes right under Junction 10 of the motorway and not many people would be aware they are driving over it. Though those of us who occasionally cycle the tow path certainly do and to say it is only 500 or so metres long finding the towpath again is more challenging than it might seem. British Waterways provides important safety advice for craft using the tunnel. While sound advice it was of little benefit to our party. We were more concerned to avoid meeting anything coming the other way! |
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Unlike the much longer tunnel at Foulridge the Gannow tunnel is not controlled by lights. So how to proceed? The terrain tended to funnel the wind into the tunnel so to avoid being blown in the kayaks rafted up while Jem checked if anything was coming. He then looked for volunteers to be the first to go through and alert any craft intending to use it. As Emma had the appropriate technical headgear her crew got the job. Ladies first and all that! |
 The "camera crew" |
Once Emma's open set off into the tunnel it was quickly swallowed up by the gloom and disappeared from view.Fortunately the sun chose this moment to make its most significant appearance of the day, making it considerably easier to see Emma clearly illuminated as she emerged from the other end. Next it was the turn of the "camera crew" to go through and capture the party emerging at the other end. But first a shot of the minors waiting their turn. |
