Kaumira Canyon May 26

I found myself back in my old field area from 2006 to do a couple days of follow-up fieldwork in the Hunter Hills. I had a great time, in large part because every farmer or farmer's wife I met in the area were absurdly friendly and happy to have me look around (the total opposite of the West Coast landowners I have to deal with). One bloke even seemed overjoyed when I said I was a geology student- he introduced himself, shook my hand, preceded to tell me of all the rock outcrops around and told me to "go for my life" in checking out any of the streams on his property. I met up with a fellow Dunedinite to do a partial second descent of Kaumira Canyon. A very steep track rapidly rocketed us above the fog and presented us with a panoramic view of snowy peaks and blue ocean. Despite prolific neoprene, we both found the trip to be quite cold. The last waterfall was pretty unique- a two-stage rappel through a rock bridge. The water levels were up from recent rain and snowfall and caution was necessary when rappelling through the guts of it. Due to time wasted freeing the rope from the last rappel, the high water levels, and diminishing light and body temperature we made the [in hindsight smart] decision to not go down the second half of the canyon. All my gear froze stiff and I spent a frosty sub-zero night camping. No more canyoning until summer! Thanks to Lara.