TATONKA.pdf

Cooking utensils

DISCOVER

going with and against the flow at the same time // The Gail valley

reaches from East Tyrol to Carinthia. Its special appeal lies in the

contrast between the wide, shallow valley floor and the sometime

precipitous slopes. In the lower courses, the valley is notable for its

huge stone rocks, an area about 10 km long with the residue from

two massive rockslides, one dating back to prehistoric times, and

the other in 1348 from the Dobratsch.

And as well as being a scenic gem, the Gail is also extremely

popular for watersports. With the perfect conditions for rafting,

canyoning, kayak and inflatable canoe trips – when there is

enough water. As with all alpine rivers, it is not always possible

to sail them because the water level depends largely on the snow

melt. The whitewater passage of the Gail to the west of Kötschach-

Mauthen is supplied with water by the Karnisch Alps, and partly

by the Lienz Dolomites, until well into the early summer. We are

at the beginning of our two-day whitewater tour, and we're in

luck – the Gail takes us and our inflatable canoe with ease.

Gail // This information box is aimed at all lovers of wildwaters in

Carinthia or the East Tyrol, and especially those who are on their way to

the Soca in Slovenia: don't miss the Gail. After all, it's not every day that

you have the opportunity for two days' whitewater rafting with a night on

a shingle beach. As the major tributary of the Drau, the Gail has its source

in the East Tyrol and covers a distance of 122.2 km through the Tilliach

valley, the Lesach valley and the Gail valley. For whitewater rafters, the

most interesting section is between Maria Luggau and Birnbaum. Those

with not much time should definitely not miss this section. The river is

still quite narrow here, and with its reliably favourable current and gentle

slope, it is very clear and easy to read. But just occasionally, it demands a

little more of the wildwater rafters. Watch out for the small ravine a kilo-

meter from the bridge at Maria Luggau, where there are two sharp bends.

Apart from the first few kilometers, which sadly were regulated until into the 1970s for land reclamation, the Gail meanders deep into an inaccessible canyon of rocks and

forests. Here in the Lesach valley, we can still experience the Gail in its original state – with everything that goes with it. For instance, the myricaria, which is threatened with

extinction, and the common sand piper, which is an endangered species. The white-throated dipper and grey wagtail are also believed still to be in existence here. Although

we don't see any during our time here, we are after all here for the Gail.

Because not only does it still have some wonderfully unpsoilt banks, but it also offers levels of difficulty from wildwater I to wildwater IV, which means it is suitable for almost

everyone. But watch out: if the water level is high, WW II can soon become WW III. So the right planning is just as important as the right equipment. A helmet and waterproof

clothing are mandatory. And you should be at least a moderate swimmer, because even the professionals sometimes find themselves having to cope with a strong current.

Those with no experience should first gain a basic level of expertise in still waters before venturing onto moving waters.

And although we haven't gone into this lightly, we still find ourselves having to battle from time to time. We even have to portage our canoe along some stretches. After

some really difficult stretches in the upper reaches, with rapids and rollers, we come to a quieter section at the bridge above Birnbaum with alternating gorges and wide

single beaches. And even though we need less strength now and the landscape is absolutely delightful, we remain focused and alert in order to take a wide berth around the

occasional obstacles in the form of trees.

When the rumbling of our stomachs becomes almost too much to bear, we moor up on one of the shingle beaches and set up camp for the night. Wildwaters give you quite an

appetite – whether they're level 1 or 4. And this is when the second part of our equipment comes into its own: the cooking equipment. Nothing is worse than tastes you don't

want – and even more so on an empty stomach. Everything of ours, from the saucepans to the coffee filter, is by TATONKA – and therefore made of untainted stainless steel.

Which means that everything we eat tastes just as it should: absolutely delicious, and of what it is. Then we wash up very carefully so as not to tempt the native bears. We

spend the rest of the evening planning the second day of our trip – and looking at the landscape and the water. We get up at the crack of dawn and continue paddling towards

our next mooring place.