IKMIN RIVER

Photo from: https://kayakthephilippines.wordpress.com/river-notes/abra/ikmin/

Wild, rough and raging, the Ikmin River plays a huge role in the local legends and culture of Boliney. It is where their goddess ‘Bolinayan’ took a bath. The name of the town was derived from the goddess’ name. It is adjacent to the Bani Hot Spring. Read More: http://www.edmaration.com/2014/05/abra-61-tourist-spots-attractions-and.html?m=0

Photo from: http://edmaration1.rssing.com/chan-8001347/all_p5.html

A gentle 1km paddle down shingle rapids leads to a big S bend. You get a glimpse of this from the road. This is where it gets interesting and requires scouting. There are plenty of eddies, but if something went wrong near the end, the consequence would be potentially swimming the cave drop below the hot springs and/ or losing all your gear.

The first rapid of the S bend is the longest. Some of us went left and some right at the start, there are several options. After this there is a river wide ledge drop with a strong towback that you want (need) to boof hard right. Setting safety here is recommended. A couple more rapids keep the adrenaline levels up before taking out left next to the hot springs, which are, who would have thought it, boiling hot. Read More: https://kayakthephilippines.wordpress.com/river-notes/abra/ikmin/

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