I was woken up at the crack of 8:30 this morning to my friend Ollie tickling my armpit. I have gotten way to used to sleeping in. The hour drive to the put in was silent and rainy. A quick coffee and pie was had the last 20 minutes where much more chatty. After a quick fix of a back band we were underway, paddling a low water Wairoa. To sum up today; I loved the river, did not like the day. For what ever reason my shoulders where in alot of pain today. My afternoon plans include lots of yoga!
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tuna!I arrived at the Rotorura airport with a reasonable walk a head of me to my friend Ollie and Quinton's house. Bottom line I was very excited to be back at the Tuna. Over the Next few days I got in several laps a day, really dialing in my lines. Then the rain came. Well the long and short of it was that I was a bit off my line on the waterfall. I ended up behind the curtain and swam, the next day I headed out and my skirt brook, the rand at the front had fallen off. some afternoon sewing ensued and the next day, two days after the swim, REDEMPTION!!!!! nailed it. The next week was spent running laps on laps of open gates kaituna, so much fun. I am no in an airport heading back to Nepal, Stoked to be heading back, but already missing the kaituna.
Warwick and fraser's most EXCELLENT adventureRight so first of all I decided to leave my camera on the grass (luckily it was returned to me) so I could not take any photos of a very beautiful trip. Would I do the trip again? Definitely! Next time I would love to hike in for 2 days and start at the source lake, this would add another day or two of paddling. Also a wee bit extra water would be nice. Mauria FallsThe last time I was in the south island I was not able to paddle Mauria Falls, unfortunately the fates did not line up. This time however I was super keen on paddling it. After to botched lines (one skirt implosion) I started having nice lines. Karamea riverBlack Robins everywhere, wind rustling through the beach trees and the sound of the river close by. We had just flown 20 minutes into Karhurungi National park, two days paddle out down the Karamea River. First things first; breakfast, deliriously created by Warwick and served with a smile on the front deck. As we ate we soaked up the sun, chatting about the day ahead. After a slow start (lots of photos) we left at the crack of 11 from Venus Hut. Most of the next few hours consisted of very shallow rapids, however very scenic. Warwick was feeling rather under the weather (his health would slowly decrease throughout the trip) so we stopped at convenient hut to soak in more rays. 20 minutes later we paddling down, it would be another two hours till lunch. Through this section we saw the hills rise up and it was a very scenic float. Lunch was eaten at Karamea bend hut, and consisted of Salome, cheese and smoked salmon sandwiches, plus salad and lots of cookies. So I did not become sick it was decided that I would handle the food from now on and Warwick could rest. After lunch we encountered two G4 rapids the first we ran the second we walked due to time and the fact that I had no interest in scraping over rocks (rental boat) or going through trees. We paddled the next few kilometers marveling at the outstanding Scenery. We pulled up at Roaring Lion River, to start the treasure hunt for Roaring Lion hut. For the next hour he hunted throughout the surrounding bush. We found it, and boy what a view. Beers were cracked and a resoto was started, then eaten. As the sun dipped and it grew dark we hit the hay excited for another great day. So we had initially said we where going to get an early start, but due to Warwick's deterring health we were off by 11. Paddling through clear water with a perfect reflection of the surrounding hills and sandflys. Roaring Lion took about an hour to complete; an 800 meter long grade 4+, an excellent wake up. The rest of the day was pack full of great bolder gardens and lots of fun moves Lunch was had near Ugly creek (it was not ugly) same lunch as before, but we demolished the cookies. Warwick fished, wile I napped. The highlight of lunch was throwing chicken into the water and watch the eels devour it. Once again it was getting late so we headed out. Ugly Rapids was the last major rapid of the river, unfortunately Warwick took a bad line, and ended up in a hole on some rocks. Due to his deteriorating health he decided to exit from his boat. Clean up was easy. And after it was a short float to the takeout. Such an amazing couple of days, on an amazing river. I can see why the guide book calls it one of the best multiday kayak trips in New Zealand. I am now heading to Rotorura to meet up with Ollie and Quinton to paddle in that neck of the woods. |
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February 2021
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