Our journey north to the Mangaweka camp ground went as planned. When we got there Dave decided that conditions were right for a spot of bridge jumping. The darkness and rain were merely minor health risks! My testicles withdrew, but those whose swelled jumped (Dave, Mark, Rohan and Luke).
The next day we headed to the Tongariro. Jo, Alice, Mark, Rohan and Duncan dipped their paddles into the slightly swollen river at Access 10. The rest of us waited for them at Potou Bridge, before paddling the lower Tongariro sections. The larger than normal weir at Red Hut Pool looked like the play spot of the day. I swam lots, and Luke showed that he still hadn't quite got that roll sussed. A cruisy first day, with plenty of fishermen to annoy.
Next, on to Reed's Farm camp ground just past Taupo. Thanks to Jo's fire lighting talents (and lungs) a camp fire went down well with a great 'no meat' dinner. Then I was ready for my virgin 'white arse swimming show' for the locals at the Spa Park hot spot.
The next day, we drove to Anawhenua, with Duncan and Luke making me quite nervous, hyping me up about paddling over a 30 metre drop. It's actually ``only'' about six metres. We arrived shortly after Dave's car, and heard that the river was up, causing many a chin hit the ground. They were talking about the hydraulics at the bottom of the falls. Hydraulics? What the fuck are hydraulics?
Up from the falls there was a knarly rapid a couple of layers high, with heaps of speeding water. Jo did it, barely broke a sweat, with Mark and Rohan following close behind. Alice and Dave meanwhile were perched on ``eagles nests'' taking erotic whitewater photos. Next came the falls. Mark went first, mostly going under before resurfacing on his tail. A couple of powerstrokes and he was sweet. Jo, Duncan and Rohan followed, all rolling up, ``easy as''. I capsized early, and was mostly put off for the rest of the section. I only bailed out once though! The river was crowded, and there were big queues for the play waves.
It pissed down with rain that night, so lots of beer, cider, and cups of hot tea were the flavour of the night. Mark and I ``borrowed'' a lake boat and went for a cruise. We got really wet, but we were hammered, so that was fine.
The next day, while the others went off to do the Whirinaki, Mark, Luke, Dave and I paddled some little ol' farm creek that joined up with the Rangataiki. Cow cricket, tipping Luke and piss drinking (Dave) kept us entertained. Then we did the lower Rangataiki again. Mark and Luke did the falls this time, with Luke managing to break a paddle in the process. The section was heaps more fun this time round, with the river mostly to ourselves, and my confidence up. Luke ``I still can't roll yet'' rolled!
That evening we headed back to the Ngaawapurua camp site and settled in to the neighbours Kevin Bloody Wilson blaring. Bliss! Most of us were up early on Monday, except for ``don't wake me before 12'' Alice. Duncan had driven Barry Crump style the previous night, resulting in his roof rack coming loose, though this wasn't noticed until the morning. Running repairs proved insufficient, with the whole lot falling off on the way to the Ngaawapurua section get in. We carried the boats the remaining few hundred metres! The river was low but we did it anyway. I surfed for the first time and loved it.
Back at the camp, a particular blonde tourist in a bathing suit was attracting attention. Rohan and Dave used returning a spanner, borrowed to fix Duncan's roof rack, as an excuse to go for a closer look. Bloody perverts.
After paddling that section, we headed back south, stopping off at the Waihohonu along the Desert Road. Jo, Mark, Rohan and Duncan paddled this ``stream'' in about an hour. They must have been paddling fairly fast, especially as Duncan had a swim, got pinned and temporarily lost his paddle. Shit happens!
Finally, we were on our way home, via the Chelsea tearooms in Taihape. Good stuff folks! See ya.
Dean.