Xmas in NZ

With only one boat on the roof we left the South Island. For the weekend we checked in at Simon's place in Wellington. It was time to check out the nightlife of the capital. It was also time to enjoy some regular showers and to wash some cloth. It felt like coming home for a few days.

On monday we head north to the Blissstick factory to pick up a new boat. Thanks to awesome support I was looking forward to a new boat for Xmas. A short breakdown of the van forced us to stop. Which looked like a blown head gasket on the first sight was fixed by replacing the broken radiator cap. We arrived late at the factory.

Just arrived Coke and Charles invited us to join the Blissstick Xmas BBQ the next evening. The next day we helped at the factory and where getting supplies for the BBQ. In the evening most of the Blissstick Team showed up and the BBQ turned into a smashing party until early morning.
The hangover followed shortly after. A mellow day with some kayaking on the local run with Nils who showed up a day to late. The next day we started early in the morning and worked a long day to finish three boats we should take with us. I was able to do most work on my boat myself what was great. I also had the option to customize my kayak.

Finishing another boat the next morning we left the factory with 5 boats total. Well just two boats where ours.

We were off to check out Huka Falls. After a safety mission where we had to rope out Oscar it was time to hit the Hot Springs.

The next day we wanted to run Huka. But while we are having breakfast the river came up to a level we didn't want to attempt. So we drove to the Kaituna. This river is a blast. It's just fun! We stayed there over Xmas and run it 4 to 6 times a day. Never got bored.

From the Kaituna we drove to Mount Maunganui. This is where Simon grew up and his parents still live there. They welcomed us Kiwi-Style.

We had some relaxing days on the beach before it was time for us to hit Auckland to sell the van. Again it broke down on us overheating.

We thought we are fucked when the mechanics told us the head gasket is blown and there is no way we can drive it somewhere. Shortly after they offered us to buy another car and they would keep ours. This is when we realized something is wrong. Well we still could drive to Simon's place. There we found out the cooler is clogged. 12h later we had fixed the problem and drove to Auckland. 2,5 days to sell a van might be short but we managed to get rid of it the first day.

A wild night followed it was time to celebrate.

My adventure on the Kokatahi River

We attempted the Kokatahi River last Friday. We just got back to the Westcoast from our trip down south. The Kokatahi is a beautiful river close to the township of Hokitika and is a major tributary of the Hokitika River. The only way to get to the put in is by Heli. We had a crew of seven, meeting up around 11am at the take out. When we arrived there the Heli was already ready to go, so Keith and myself hurried up to get going. While strapping our boats to the Heli's rig the rest arrived. It was my first time flying in a Helicopter and I really enjoyed it.

After a couple of flights we were all at the put in. Without taking a lot of time we set up to tackle the upcoming rapids. We got downstream at a good pace.

About one or two kilometers into the run Arnd ended up swimming. Luckily Keith spotted him next to the cave on Cover Drop and got him out of there while Severin, Julian and myself bombed down the river a bit to far. With the boat stuck in the cave Arnd started walking out. The rest of the crew continued downstream.

one of a couple tight gorges

That river is a gem. It is challenging, remote and indescribably beautiful but the last major rapid called Skateboard Ramp sent me back to reality.

Skateboard Ramp

Just a little bit off line I went deep into a hole and got pushed back onto the stern of my kayak. My left shoulder moved out of place and I let my paddle go and pulled the skirt. Holding my arm tight to my body I resurfaced and grabbed Keith's rope with the other hand. While holding the rope my shoulder moved back into place. Still without a stable stand my boat was floating by down the river into the next rapid. Julian was able to catch my paddle. After climbing up on the rocks I took my paddle and moved downstream with the hope to find my boat. Severin also raced after it. To make a long story short we never found the boat and about 2 hours later we reunited at the cars at take out. Just Arnd was still somewhere up in the mountains. He made it out safe the same night around midnight.

The next days we took a break from kayaking. One day we spent hiking back up the river as far as possible but didn't find either the boat or any other equipment which has been inside.

Even though it is a pain in the ass with all that equipment lost but at least I'm safe.

"Was laberscht du?"

It was time for us to move on and we headed north to huck Maruia Falls. Well, at least Flo did!

Now it's time for the North Island! Here we come....


Cheers,
David

Teaser #1: NORWAY

Westcoast to Otago to Fiordland

For the last couple days we were road trippin' down the west side of the Southern Alps here in NZ. We ran a couple of rivers on the Westcoast and then headed down south to face some big water on the Kawarau river. From there we drove even further south in the Fiordland - famous for its incredible landscape.
Enjoy the photos!

Kakapothai - Westcoast

Hokitika - Westcoast

Styx - Westcoast

Nevis Bluff - Kawarau River - Otago

Citroen Rapid - Kawarau - Otago

Hollyford - Fiordland