The excitement of the unknown Exploring the Paringa
A remote West Coast river, packrafting, rain, a lack of information about paddling descents; for Chris Abel, it was hard to think of more exciting ingredients for an adventure.
Trip Reports
Manapouri to Foveaux Strait The quintessential Fiordland journey
On Christmas Eve we set off from the West Arm of Lake Manapouri with around a weeks’ worth of food, packrafting and tramping gear, a bunch of TOPO maps and loose plans to make it to Foveaux Strait. We had a small box of food delivered to Lake Roe Hut on the Dusky Track to pick on the way. For two weeks we linked together rivers, Fiords, lakes, some trails and a few different mountain ranges to make it to the Southern Ocean.
Good ol' Kiwi understatement When the whitewater is the easy part
Two hard days to get over Emily Pass, and then a long day down the Okuru River to the ocean
Time to step up Cruising down the Clutha
Aimee Smith steps up from passenger to trip leader on a glorious paddle down the Clutha.
Canyoning Exploring the Wilberforce
Sometimes inspiration comes at you from a strange angle.
Hike and Fly Para-waiting: It’s not a sport…
How often is the forecast wrong? Sometimes it could be worth taking a bit of a punt on the prediction...
Back in the day The origins of a packrafter
Hugh Canard reflects on a few past (mis)adventures which make him grateful for the modern packrafts we have these days.
The Moeraki: an unexpected adventure
Some adventures are planned, others present themselves unexpectedly. Otherwise known as (mini) epics, or type 2 (or three) fun, these adventures are often the memorable ones.
First descents: The General
Joe Bugden and Greg Tilden commit to the exploration of a world class technical canyon in the Dart valley.
Upper Otaki Gorgeous gorges
Traditionally, the Otaki gorge below Waitewaewae Hut was the domain of trampers with tyre tubes in low summer flows, and the occasional heli-kayaker when it been raining. Now, like many of the Tararua gorges, this is set to become a classic packrafting trip.
Great Kiwi clubs Three days in the Coromandel
Katikati Tramping Club members make the most of the long weekends weather to explore and tramp through a delightful part of the Coromandel peninsula.
Kahurangi The Roaring Lion
As four friends from the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club we were very fortunate to be the first recipients of the Simon Bell Memorial Scholarship.
The lessons hit home A steep learning curve (part 2)
In the second part of a reflection on the first year of Packrafting; near the end of the year, the lessons finally sink in.
Getting down whitewater A steep learning curve (part 1)
Dan Clearwater reflects back on his first year of Packrafting: recounting a few close calls and lessons learned the hard way.
Endurance The Big Mistake
My first big mission back in New Zealand was quite an education.
Epic Infinity Packrafting Loop (Part 2)
The intrepid Emily Forne and friends complete their creative pack-raftiing loop in the wilds of South Westland
Epic The Infinity Packrafting Loop
The intrepid Emily Forne and friends commit to an extended version of the Hollyford/Pyke packrafting classic.
Expedition Scholarships Tararua Traverse
In the summer of 2015/2016, a group from the Auckland University Tramping Club traversed the Tararua with support from the FMC Mountain and Forest Trust
Ski Touring The Fox Neve
The west coast neve's are a magical ski touring destination. Whilst there's plenty of scope for very intense lines, there's also plenty of mellow terrain for when the snow isn't quite in condition. Regardless of the skiing, it is an incredible place to visit.
The X-Pisa’s A Snow Shoeing and Paragliding Adventure
Caught by race fever from the Red-Bull "X-Alps" paragliding adventure race, Melanie Heather comes first on her own imaginary race closer to home; from Cardrona to Cromwell; the "X-Pisa."
The upper Waiau
The thing about packrafting is, that the whole experience is greater than the sum of the two parts. Join Dan Clearwater as he traverses the Opera Range and paddles the Waiau River.
Paragliding Hike and Fly Corner Peak
Dan Clearwater takes the easy way down from a great summit above Lake Hawea.
Spine of the Fish Day 63: she drives me crazy
An unexpected side route offers up a sparkling gem...
Spine of the Fish Day 62: a walk down memory lane
A chance text makes a new destination necessary.
