Shotover / MacLeod's to Skippers Bridge (Upper Shotover), II+

If it was anywhere else with easy access this class II+ section of the 'Shotty' would be one of the most used runs in the country. As it is, the road adds a little spice to a day in the upper valley. Try to avoid rainy days as the road gets very slippery. Many have been stuck.
The great thing about this run are the numerous ledge-type reversals that provide excellent play spots for those wanting to flip-flop around for ever or just learn to sit in a hole. The river is deep in the gorge and has a great wilderness feel until you reach the Skippers Canyon Bridge and are bombarded by falling bungy jumpers.
If considering the section from Skippers Bridge to Deep Creek (class I), it is worth contacting the jet boat drivers at the Skippers Bridge. The drivers are in radio contact with each other and will let everyone know there are kayakers on the lower section. This will save the fright and possible trauma of meeting a high speed craft, much bigger than you, unawares.

Camping is great at the MacLeod's put in area. Stay the weekend and mix the kayaking with the superb mountain biking further up the valley.

To get to the take out: drive up to Deep Creek, (see Shotover Gorge run) continue for about 6.5km to the Skippers Canyon Bridge. Drive down to the river level downstream of the bridge. Park, but leave room for the trucks and buses that turn around at the river.
To get to the put in: from the Skippers Bridge area drive nearly 9km of narrow winding road to a short dirt road on the left which leads into an area of willow trees.

Catchment: 752745
Egarr_Comments: {Egarr has 1 entry}popular with less experienced
Egarr_Code: 107.03.02
Egarr_Vol: SI
Egarr_Page: 81
Egarr_Rec: 5
Egarr_Scen: 6
RUS_Code: 2421

This section appears in New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006 on p258.