We spent the first night at some mad old bloke's campground just out of Mangaweka. It was raining ever so lightly as we pitched the tents, with diffuse moonlight illuminating the huge mudstone cliffs the Rangatiki river flows through. Very serene. After a group gossip in Kim's tent we all settled down.
The next morning we decided to drive north to the 'Tongas', as the Rangatiki was low. The possibility of doing Access Ten was bandied about (especially by Duncan who seemed rather keen), but we started on the "beginners" run, to Red Hut pool. After a few months off it felt somewhat strange to be putting back on a paddle jacket etc.... The run was pretty, but low, with a nice play spot above the get out. By the time we'd eaten, changed and put the gear in the van it was getting on. Instead of Access Ten, a trip to the Ngaawapurua wave (on the Waikato) was the go. Swelling the trip numbers by two were John (an ex VUCCer from way back, and his sister-in-law Suzy. The wave at 'Fulljames' is awesome!! From the campground a small track leads down to the river, through the trees you catch glimpses of brightly coloured boats surfing a smooth tongue of water that breaks behind them. Adrenalin city!! Beginner that I am, I didn't get on the wave. but trying, and watching others (esp John, who it must be said, had a rather nice boat!) was fun enough, and by the time the light began to fade I was exhausted. We had a fun night drinking quality wines and ales, and port. After this, the drunks forced the designated drivers to take them to Spa Park......
Easter Saturday was 'Rangataiki day', so again the boats were tied on, and vehicles filled up. We did the Aniwhenua Falls section, with only 'probes' Joe and Duncan doing the falls themselves. Next the Huka!! The run was lovely, with nice little wave chains to play on. Very scenic. We enjoyed another lovely meal, and relaxing evening camped by the lake.
Easter Sunday was perfect weather wise, and the 'experienced paddlers' were gunning for Jeffs Joy. Kim and Nick joined them for the most part, portaging the final grade 4 rapid. The roads to the put-in are forestry roads; a mingling nightmare of dirt tracks that link up, double back, and dead end. We finally found the put in, and the beginners watched the party jink its way through the boulders. A few of us met up with them to do the middle run, a nice 2+ section with the odd rocky rapid. Its surprising how attractive pine forest can look, crowding down to the banks of a river. We had tea at the get out, watched an Australian DR team come and go, and set off for the "secret spot", a natural hot pool.
I dozed in Duncan's car, and only woke when we arrived. I don't know how to describe this evening. The pool is a meeting of a small hot creek, and a larger, tepid stream. Steep walls make it a natural ampitheatre, and there were candles burning in alcoves when we arrived. The moon was also full, the sky clear and still through the trees. The light, a mix of the golden warmth of candles, and the moon's cold silver was incredible. Sensuous beyond description. A few of us drifted up the stream, ducking through thickets and out into still pools of silver. This stream was also thermal, and we found a bank of hot (not too hot) mud, which was massaged into arms and backs. Back at the hot pool we stayed for hours, drifting out to the cooler current, and back to the warmth of the spring. It was so still the candles barely fluttered. The moon was blurred through the steam; through clouds that so slowly brushed across it. Leaving, finally, was a stark moment. Back at Fulljames I went for a wander, and watched the rapid in the moonlight.
The next day we did the Waikato above Fulljames (at a very low level), surfed and finally packed up. Even driving back, work and day to day living seemed an eternity away. All and all one of my best Easters; spent with a good group of people, having fun and feeling free. I've got the itch to get back - roll on Queen's Birthday.....
Adrian.