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Fox / Fox Glacier to SH6, IV+ (V-)

Wed, 2006-05-17 21:58 — jonathan
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Fox
Info
Portage?: 
No
Class: 
IV+ (V-)
Level: 
most
Gauge: 
Visual
Length: 
3km
Gradient: 
23.5m/km
Time: 
1-2 hours
Put in: 
From the glacier carpark, or carry up to the terminal face of the glacier
Take out: 
Fox River bridge SH6.
Shuttle: 
3.5 km
Maps: 
G36
Character: 
Frigid, single channel, hard to read, somehow exciting water.
Hot tip: 
You'll pray for one by the end!

For those who like it on the rocks. The Fox River drains that which changes from a frozen to liquid state. You guessed it; ICE – straight from the famous Fox Glacier. The same stuff that forms the glacier floats down the river with you, explaining why that eddy you try for just keeps moving away.

The river starts off quietly from the glacier as class I-II riffles (with ice). Get your hands used to the cold so that you can deal with it lower down. Pogies are a good idea. The action picks up into class III-IV boulder gardens and quickly peaks after the swingbridge in a long, narrow rapid with multiple drops and associated hydraulics. Scouting is prudent as there are places you don’t want to be. The rest of the river is bouncy class III+ as the gradient eases right off just after the SH6 bridge and the take out.

Photographers, or those who decide ice-yaking is not for them, can access the river via a track to the swingbridge just above the crux rapid. Take this short run seriously. Even a capsize is potentially dangerous, water visibility is zero and it hurts to have any skin in the water. A swim would be very serious, so you should be paddling strongly at class IV level before even considering the Fox.

To get to the TAKE OUT: from the Fox Glacier township drive south on SH6 to the Fox River bridge. The track up from the river is on the downstream, right side. To get to the PUT IN: follow signs to the Fox Glacier and carpark. Walk to your chosen put in spot.

Fill: 
89%
NZ Whitewater 4th Edition 2006: 
p207
Credits: 
Graham Charles

This section appears in New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006 on p207.

New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006
No 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.