Madamax

Julien was about to leave madagascar and I seized the opportunity to send him on a small river we paddled occasionally south of Antananarivo.

With low waters, it’s rather gentle.

Well, that wasn’t exactly low tide!

Julien, Joe and Liva boarded near Behenjy for what was supposed to be a cool day and an half with a few amusing rapids.

They encountered furious lines of challenging rapids for most of the section they paddled and were quite impressed by its potential with high waters.

You can see that the rapids look quite nice for thrill seekers and they left a few lines to be opened by strong groups of dedicated paddlers, …

We caught them at the pull out the next day all excited by this great descent and decided to return there again, …

Julien took the loaded Pyranha through really nice lines all along those two days.

Everybody convinced that Liva was to take the plunge!

Waoow, that was a fun one. Those Ark boats (Made in South Africa) behave very well in this kind of rapids.

Joe and Liva, proud of their performances, and raging Andromba overflowing in the background.

Local shuttle buddy, a seemingly constant of malagasy white waters, …

A cool good bye trip to Imerina rivers for Julien. He had the opportunity of exploring quite a lot of them during those few months spent with us.

Despite a moderate rain season, we keep on looking and opening new rivers to paddlers.

Local polishituation has killed the tourism trade and although we’re surviving, in urgent needs of travelers!
Mada is safe! Well, as safe as you decide!!!

Even through the worst periods of riots and protests, we managed to move around the countryside without any concerns about local troubles.

It’s even a perfect period to travel out here as everything can be bargained and hotels very empty.

Julien Pernot, Joe and Arthur were sent on a reco trip, northwest of Tana.

I dropped them right in Ankazobe, 100 kms on the road to Majunga.

What was supposed to be a reasonnable goal offered lines of challenging rapids and falls.

The boys stated bluntly that it was a river for the Young Guns, not themselves.

They left one Piranha kayak and one Ark inflatable canoe and I was supposed to pick them up on the fourth day.

Well, they maintained the schedule, but they had to work hard through rocky canyons, steep falls and remote backcountry.

It is now awaiting for bold yakers to open all the lines and drops.

There were quite a few portages and lining boats as well.

Being only 2 crafts on the river didn’t encourage Julien to dare too much.

Occasional croco sighting also tempered their boldness and interfered with decision process, …

Drive back is only 50 kms on an almost decent track during dry season. Not so advisable in case of rain.

That was a long trip but the Young Guns team finally flew back to Mama Africa. 2 more months before they bag the journey and start editing their next opus. Can’t wait to see the film, “African revolution”.

Those guys drove me insane with the most intense behavior ever, …

Despite or with the help of very rainy weather, they managed to rack a few more new rivers.

They started driving south and paddled the upper Mania in a long day!

Waters were so high that they had to portage some sections we usually raft!…

The Ranomafana area didn’t offer great paddling and after checking out an other stream around Antsirabe, they went driving toward Majunga.

The Manankazo for 3 long days in the North West, a couple of day sections on Mamokomita and Andriantoany in the same district.

That was it for their 2008 malagasy river trip. An other great one. We might have to wait two more years to get such intense activity, …