So in amoungst all the normal waikaia runs and Nevis Adventures, William Martin managed to convince Ari and Myself on a West Branch mission... The conversation went something like this.
(Late night setting in the flat in queenstown after a day spent not kayaking)
Ari: What should be do?
Me: Nevis is in.. but high
Wilz: We could do west branch
Ari and me: Ok!
And so the plan was set, we were to head to the Piano flat camp ground early the next morning, paddle the normal Waikaia, set up camp and then venture to the wild west the next day.
And with that we skulled a few more brews, excited about the weekend that lied before us. Needless to say we slept in a bit the next morning making for a very rushed start to the exciting adventure, but we still made it to the waikaia with enough time so we didn't have to rush it, finished the day kayaking and proceeded to then set up camp, and bring out the cameras....
Making the most of the sun..
Fire is good for lifting spirits.. also good sand fly repellent
Wilz Taking it all in
The moon came out to play
Camping is the shit
Ghost?
Long shutter speeds = More georges!
Late night fire works... amazing
After this playing and chilling by the fire it was time to sleep to prepare ourselves for the day that lay before us. As the sun struck our tents we new that it was go time. We swallowed a quick breakfast then has a morning yarn about the plan for the day and after the boats were tied on it was time to venture into the hills. We began early as the west requires a 2 hour walk in. We were at the end of the 4 wheel drive road at the canton flat bridge, prepared but unsure of what adventure lay in front of us and as I found out.. it was going to be a tough one. The first hour of the walk in to say the least is savage as it contains very steep farm land. Once your at the end of this though its alll flat and down hill. Take water.. it gets hot. Once you are at the river you soon realise that the day that lies ahead is going to be stout and full of continuous class 4-5 white water. We soon realised also that most of the water must be travelling down the west branch as it was at a reasonably stout flow, making everything a lot pushier. Once your in there you soon realise how full on the day will be as it gorges up and drops at a somewhat scary rate. After about 45 minutes of scouting, portaging and paddling, we were coming together as a team and we were looking very good for time as we had a very efficient system of scouting lines and relaying them to others. We came to a portage which led on to a bunch more horizon lines which I was inclined to go and check out. I soon realised that this is where the good stuff starts, but the day had only just begun. Above this was a manky little drop, no trouble just bounce your way down.. which I did.. cracking and destroying the nose of my boat making it worthless... great. So i was stuck with a decision. walk out? or walking along the river side.. after several long seconds of staring at the massive gorge wall I chose river side and spent 4 hours clambering along the river bed with all my gear..watching wilz and ari piece together some much more complex Waikaia puzzles. And as i stood there watching with my throwbag I continued to tell myself.. you are earning your good days.. and.... lucky I took my Camera. :D
Ari resting his legs after the savage hour... all down hill from here!
Tussock mixed with an amazing blue skyline
Boys at the put in, check out that horizonline.
Wilzy firing the first drop
Wilzy routing the stout. (my boat broke in the rapid above this one)
and coming out with perfect form
Ari doing the same
Little bit cover but ended alright
Wilzy demonstrating an eddie turn
Ari nailing the line
Wilz piecing the puzzle together
THE slide.. Stout
Broken boat :(
The Waikaia is definitely worth the walk, although not worth it if you break your boat so be prepared for anything. It isn't a long stretch of river but it will take up to 4 hours as it is steep and most of the rapids need scouting. If you can spend a weekend there, camp out with some cool people and do some classy paddling all at the same time, perfect place to take your GF to as there are many walks to do whilst you go kayaking.
Keep the Flow!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment