Hooker River

The first river to paddle after leaving Queenstown was the Hooker. I had already been here with Mari a couple of weeks before and was very pleased to get the opportunity to paddle this glacier river.

Paddlers: James, Toni, Markus, Jono and Espen

Walking from the camping ground. Lesson learned: Never leave your paddling gear outdoors when there are Kias in the area. The cute parrot lookalike love plastic and rubber and during the night they managed to pearce a few drytops and spay-skirts

The Hooker River actually starts from the terminal lake of the Hooker glacier, but we only did the lower part from the terminal lake of the Mueller glacier.

The swingbridge

The Mueller Glacier. The ice made it sure that this would be a cold experience.

In the water

Markus

Me

James and Toni right by the swing bridge

Nice colour contrast

James the canoist

It is interesting when you can't see beneath the water surface

Big mountains

At the get out

Glacier Kayaking!

Hollyford River - Falls Creek to Marion Swing Bridge

The only river I did in the Fiordlands was the Hollyford. But this river has several awesome runs.

Paddlers: James, James, Markus, Toni, Jono, Guido, Speedy and Espen.

At the get in

Markus and me

A really fun river

Toni

Markus

James

Guido

Me

I'm in there somewhere

Fiordlands was really scenic

Hollyford River - Morraine Creek

Really nice run.

Paddlers: James, James, Jono, Toni, Markus and Espen.

First leg. This was a very fun river to paddle.

James

Markus

Me

James

At the get out

Shuttle time

Kawarau River - The Citroen

Big volume! I was a bit in doubt if I wanted to this run, but I finally decided to do it. Unfortunately, I was so excited that I forgot to put my camera back into the water proof bag. It died, I on the other hand survived :)

Paddlers: James, James, Jono, Toni, Guido, Speedy, Markus and Espen.

The Citroen

Scouting

Speedy

A lot of water coming through...

At the get in

Here we go

I made it

James

Jono

Speedy

Nice view

Long rapid

A paddle - I don't know who's it is

Jono at the end of the rapid

At the bottom of the rapid

Keys is enjoying very tasty plums from the plum tree at the get out

Back at the rafters vinyard camp

Dinner time!

Kawarau River - Dog Leg Run

What started out as a cozy run, ended in an all night rescue operation involving the search and rescue team from the police. But it ended well!

Paddlers: James, Guido, Katrina and Espen

Speedy at the get in.

Awesome waves! We paddled through the setting for the 'Pillars of the King' in , The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.