Clarence River Rafting: with Shannon, Andrew (aka AC) & Bill

Our "Put In"
Large expanse of high country near the Molesworth Station . Where the Acheron and Clarence converge

The Nelson Canoe Club were planning a Clarence river trip for Labour Weekend (repeating one B&S +Shannon did 6 yrs ago). I was very excited tho unfortunately Sheryl wasn't, and to give her her due the last trip we did 5 years ago on the Waiau was a little out of her comfort zone with grade 4 rapids making for some wild rides😱. If you click this link it will take you to a YouTube video of that trip. >> Waiau Trip video

A quiet moment.

I turned to Shannon and  Andrew for support and was gruntled that they both were keen (tho one keener than the other) for the paddle, 4 nights 5 days on the River. I mean it wasn't like "A bunch of wannabes heading down some river on rubber tubes and a crate of beer." ( I have floated those ideas before and they usually don't fly ..or indeed swim😭)
Without Sheryl to organise me Shannon stepped up and together we put the steps in place to bring it together in so far as catering and gear was necessary. I also needed a tent and buddy to share (space saving) as all our camp gear was in Nelson, tho I did have my sleeping bag.

Neighbours and my tent buddy Tyler

Our Nelson neighbours Kathryn, Tyler and her man Andrew were also going. So Tyler             (no relation😃) had room in his tent....great  Tyler & Tyler it was to be.
Logistically it wasn't easy. S&A flew in to Chch where we were due back from being with Nick, so....drive from Tekapo to Chch 3 hrs, park bus at H&R's and drop Sheryl off, quick shop... pick up S&A from airport, drive up coast 3 hours  to Kekerengu for a nights sleep. The following morning it was back down to Clarence to meet the team and pick up gear from Clarence River Rafting. Followed by a 3 hr shuttle bus to a remote spot in behind Hanmer to the rafting "put in".
Friday was a long day but Shannon drove up the coast after flying to Chch as I gently slumbered in the back of the car.... stopping at Kaikoura for a pub meal and last minute shop including next days breaky which it turned out we didn't need as our accommodation was indeed a B&B duh!😐

Setting up Camp
"still not seeing the espresso machine Shannon"

Instant will do on this occasion.. how many more nights??

The trip is approx 190 kms of iconic back country white water river experience, dropping from mountains to sea travelling in between the inland and seaward Kaikoura Ranges. It has been affected by the recent earthquakes with a small lake having been (but since drained) formed and innumerable fresh slips on mountain faces many slipping into the river. This also introducing sharp rocks, not yet worn smooth by the swift waters .......... hardly conducive to puncture free rafting.
The geology is stunning, with twisted formations  defying any logical sequence. I would love to be on a geology field trip in this area.....so interesting.

The trip was organised by the Nelson Canoe Club principally by Andrea (many thanks to her) a huge undertaking, with emails it can done relatively easily, but with the addition of a few red herrings in the mix, and the wants and needs of all to be considered chaos was never far away. ...
8 paddlers, 5 kayaks, 1 pack raft, 2 plastic sit ons, 10 rafters and  2 rafts - 18 Intrepid souls set forth.

A disparate band of  adventurers

The rafts are integral to these multi day trips as they carry the excess gear needed by the kayakers to add a level of comfort for the 4 nights. True some members (proficient hard arses) did not require the baggage service, but as a well rounded group of paddlers wishing to see these stunning isolated areas, this combined format works really well.

Largely the rafting went well as did the kayaking. However, perhaps one paddler did sneak thru without the required skill set, and was well out of his depth with the considerable rapids involved. Eventually on day 3 after many spills, his canoe was consigned to the river bank and he to a raft.... not ideal but as a self resourced group in the back of beyond this logical safety step was taken to ensure a less stressful journey for all involved.

A welcome lunch break

The days were generally breakfast, break camp, load rafts, on the the water by 9:30 ish paddle 6 hours or so with some small breaks and a longer lunch break, selecting  a camp site, tents up then main meal, which most were well ready for by then, and those with enough energy a camp fire sit around, but mostly early nights.

Mt. Tapuaenuku.
Bleeding her icy cold snow melt into our river.

Possibly my biggest pleasant surprise was with the possibly  hundreds of people yearly who do this trip there was almost no indication of discarded rubbish....and  latrines are dug nightly and these also, when well placed show, little sign of having been there. Largely this is because of the high ideals and care that most people on these trips have, in awe of where they are and respect for those to come not to mention  the diligence of the commercial guys who guide this river and have a custodial demeanour for the river.

Our raft was comprised of Shannon, AC, myself and our "guide" Graeme. G an old crusty, largely like myself, is a rafting guide from way back indeed having been a founder of River Rats and associated companies in the 70s. The Club is fortunate to have the experience of Graeme and Kathryn who guided the other raft, both ex professional guides. We were comfortable in his company and he allowed me to guide the boat, testing and directing my skill set, and mercifully taking control back on occasions when disaster loomed. We went well, only losing one person over board, who shall remain nameless, and only once loosing a paddle, again for reasons of anonymity she won't be named. 😕

Campfire.
This is (we think) the site of the earthquake formed lake.

The rafting was a lot of fun only slightly marred by one day of serious paddling into a very gusty strong wind that raised enormous amounts of dust and a couple of whirly whirls on the river, but as a whole it was a very enjoyable trip. A lot of the fun was generated by the watching of our fellow paddlers endeavours in the rapids, with rescues being mounted as people fell over in the intense white waters.(tho these were mostly experienced kayakers, no real drama😦)
 The camping however ....well we are all getting a bit soft and camping does lose its appeal, but we were lucked with good  weather and think, would all do it again if the opportunity arose. This wasn't helped by me puncturing the airbed on the first night, and despite my best efforts with repairs remained with a slow leak going down on who ever by chance got that airbed for the night. My thanks to AC for gallantly keeping on thru the night with out (but well with in his  rights ) demanding we swap back. The other near disaster was unpacking my minimal dry gear on night one.....Dam and blast no undies..... where's Sheryl when I needed her. Well thank goodness for well prepared son in laws.... Yep he had packed a few spares I understand.... and being his fav father in law was happy to share a pair.😇 Needless to say these are now my favourite new undies a new style for my meat and 2 vege but decidedly ok. Thank you Andrew for your much appreciated gift.

A bonding adventure.😁

Our  five day odyssey finished at Clarence on a bit of a high after 190 odd kms on the river  with a few hugs to our new found friends, some hastily eaten camp food, wet gear and all thrown in the car, then to end our day, a 3 hour drive back to H&R's house in Chch to meet up with family and friends for a great meal, good company and a very welcome comfortable nights sleep. Bliss

Graeme our  Guide has put up a video on YouTube . this will take you there Clarence Rafting Labour weekend 2019