Wairaurahiri / Lake Hauroko to Coast, II+
Tue, 2007-05-08 22:47 — jonathan
Wairaurahiri
Usually get transported from takeout by jetboat back up the river. See Hump Ridge Jet (http://www.wildernessjet.co.nz/) or Wairaurahiri Jet (http://www.wjet.co.nz/wjet/default.asp).
RUS 2315
Fill:
52%Credits:
Brian Thorne, Jonathan HuntNo incidents reported.
Disclaimer
Canoeing and kayaking are activities with inherent risks. Whitewater NZ takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this guide, nor for any risks or dangers that canoeists or kayakers may encounter. Any users should fully research the current river conditions and ensure they are fully equipped and have the appropriate skills, before embarking on any river trip, per Whitewater NZ Code of Practice. While every effort is made to ensure that details are correct, it is possible that this information is no longer accurate. If you find discrepancies or errors, please let us know at guide@rivers.org.nz .
This is an easy wilderness paddle that suits relative novices and more expert paddlers alike. The attraction is the remoteness and the continuous flow. There are very few playspots and technical water it certainly is not. Lake Hauroko is one of the remnants of Gondwanaland, being NZ's deepest lake with no introduced plants or fish. The lake is either quiet and brooding or extremely rough and turbulent. Any N or W winds will create massive waves and waterspouts. Hauroko means smoking winds, and it's accurate.
The jet boat option is the one everyone uses, for good reason. You can paddle down the lake to the river, or get a ride to Rata Burn. Then at the end of the day get a ride back to the jetty at the road end. The river is a 26km continuous rush of Grade 2 water with a few trees hanging over the banks in places, but it's easy water, with a few larger eddies. High low or medium doesn't make a lot of difference to the rapids. The banks are forested with old growth beech and the understory has more ferns than you will see anywhere. The trip ends literally in Foveaux Strait and there is some challenging surf if you have any remaining energy while waiting for the pickup. Sandflies. YES.
Hugh Canard