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Trip Information
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Date
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25/10/2008
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River
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Mokihinui
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Section
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Forks to Gorge end
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Flow
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120 guess
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Party Size
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46
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Trip Information
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Date
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26/10/2008
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River
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Grey
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Section
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Gentle Annie Gorge
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Flow
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50 cumecs (graph)
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Party Size
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41
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Mokihinui Summary
The river was maybe three – four times the ‘normal’ flow. The decision to go was made on a visual inspection around 7 am at 3 locations on the lower river. The river was dropping slowly and no further rain was forecast in the headwater ranges that day. The party flew in with Air West of Reefton in an MD600 7 seat helicopter. We had 3 rafts (2@8pax; 1@5pax; 1 cataraft - Doug Rankin) and 25 kayakers. One third kayakers were expert and very competent; one third solid up to G4; and one third competent on G3 and stepping up to the challenges of longer rapids with substantial hydraulics and big boulders in high volume. 3 or 4 kayakers found the conditions perhaps a bit more than they were comfortable with. We had 4-5 swimmers, 1 exceptional rescue (by Debbie Bloxham) and a few portages.
The raft leaders were 2 club members with about 30 days raft experience and one UK raft guide friend of a club member. All raft leaders did well, nailing some hard lines. Crews were either club paddlers or family/partners. Guests from F&B were invited and this proved very beneficial and will be an investment for the future.
2 rafters were 13 and 15 years and these two girls were amongst the staunchest paddlers on the trip. There was some vetting of these paddlers prior to the trip, and each had two parents on the trip throughout.
The wx was increasing in strength SW upriver with snow on the tops, and many paddlers and rafters were cold and all were tired at the end. The trip took 5 hours up to 6 hours. Start loading 9 am, on river at 12 noon, last off at 6pm. One kayaker was carried on the raft with their kayak for most of the trip. This was on the initiative of the Trip Leader. Another 2 kayakers were cold enough to be swimming the easier rapids by the end and should have been placed on the rafts at that stage. The rafts got ahead of the stragglers about 65% into the trip and that’s when some kayakers started more frequent portages and swims. The last third of the rapids - normally very easy G2s were fat waves and holes of G3, like One Night Stand, Gunslinger and O’Sullivan’s at 120 -150 cumecs. By this stage the wind was sufficient to blow paddling kayakers upriver in G2+ and the rafters were working hard to progress down river. Even the rescuing kayakers got cold waiting for portages and swim recoveries. If we had not had raft support the big rapid swim aftermath situation would have become increasingly serious as the conditions were exceptionally cold and windy for the time of year. The forecast was accurate and therefore the conditions were anticipated. All were well clad and equipped, except for some of the kayakers, perhaps who should have worn wetsuits or more encasing and wind-proof garments - head, top and legs.
The lesson learned was to ensure that any kayakers starting to deteriorate should be placed on the rafts earlier by the Trip Leader (or their peer paddling buddy group) as a precautionary measure, and that a raft should be in a tail end Charlie group.
Some kayakers managed much harder rapids than they had previously experienced and they looked good. The ability to run rapids with accelerating gradient, read big water, catch gnarly eddies and achieve cross river moves in G3-4 water was an important skill on the day.
The most interesting aspect of this river is the way the rapids change and become much more challenging with increasing flow. A number of paddlers admitted to under-estimating the river before the trip and even on the flight in. The 5m rafts were vertical on some rapids.
This trip involved the Trip leader in some very tough judgment calls in the absence of the usual internet information and with such a big diverse party. Planning and preparation was intensive and we had a number of very competent people both on the rafts and in kayaks. The club ethic was strong and people just did what needed doing.
Costs were Rafters $150 and Kayakers $125. The logistics were quite significant and complex because of the size and diversity of the party and the trip itself, and because long weekends mean most accommodation is fully booked. Raft leaders went free and the trailer tower was compensated for extra fuel.
I have done a full planning sheet for this type of trip and I will draft a river guide for this river – for while it’s still there.
Feedback on the accommodation (the old Forestry School and the Old Nurses’ Home) at Reefton was that this is a splendid place to base a club weekend trip where we can paddle a selection of the Grey, Maruia, Waitahu, Inangahua, Lyell Creek (Buller), all within a short drive from a good base with civilization (beer, fuel, food) close at hand. $30 gets you some privacy, a proper bed with linen, good showers, kitchen, lounge, TV, and a drying room. With a big party it is very important to have the party in one location where you can communicate easily.
Gentle Annie accommodation was OK by comparison. Camping there was pretty soggy and rugged and it’s not much different in price.
The Club EPIRB remained comfortably in the Trip Leader’s PFD and was a great comfort. Thanks.
The Nelson party of 30 on the N Branch had “2 raft flips, 2 wraps and many swimmers”. Not surprised at all.
Grey Summary
The river was 500mm above the low flows experienced earlier this year. We had 3 rafts (2@7pax; 1@5pax; 1 cataraft) and 21 kayakers. The wx was clear and sunny with an easterly tail wind which faded. No incidents and 1-2 swims.
The shuttle was managed by having 2 trailers and ensuring all the party could be transported up to the put-in by 50% of the cars, with 50% remaining at the get-out. We had 2 drivers to bring the trailers back during the trip.
I will draft a river guide with shuttle details for this river.
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Kayakers
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John Hunter
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Shane Davidson
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Jane Liddle
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Michaela Ballard
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Kim Kelleher
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Steeel Walker
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Suzanne Furkett
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Veronika Vojtiskova
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Matt Bonis
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Jesse Dykstra
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Mike De Jongh
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Bob Morton
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Ian Wiseman
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Nic Thomas
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Mary Beech
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Andy Bone
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Debbie Bloxham
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Hamish Brown
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Steve Hodkinson
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Dave Kwant
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Bill Parks
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Mike Nooney
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Jon Hunt
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Doug Rankin
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Shaun Chamberlain
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Kim Seaton
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Wytske
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Fiona De Jongh
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Tash De Jongh
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Andrew Aldridge
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Debbie Gill-Fox
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Georgie
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Robert from Wales
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Geoff Price
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Richard Janousek
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Hana Burdova
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John Taficuk
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Graeme Martin
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Rachel Wiseman
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Johnno Harris
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Hugh Canard
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Nic Milne
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Chris Todd
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Ruth Todd
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Katrina Todd
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