Haast Pass Canyoning Dec 29-Jan 1

29th: Mather Creek. The first day's plans to go up Stewart Creek (an all day epic) were quickly abandoned once we saw the high water level on the waterfall visible from the road. Somehow our plan B evolved to check out Mather Creek, an undescended creek with significantly more flow. We battled our way through the steep bush of Hopeless Spur, gaining the most prominent glacial terrace and sidling our way into the creek above the distinctive slip. All this was easier said than done. The top part was quite nice- solid schist and some nice big jumps into deep potholes of clear blue-green water. Also some fun downclimbs and a couple rappels. The canyon then opened out into an amphitheater as we boulder-hopped down the creek to the next ominous narrows. We found a scary looking drop with some potentially nasty hydraulics so we bypassed it, realizing later that the rest of this stretch was mellow and would have been totally fine. We explored up from the bottom of this section so that we saw everything. A short way downstream found us at the top of the final waterfall, the best feature in the canyon- a 25m billowing waterfall with a 4m high mostly free-standing rock arch directly in front. The impressive force of the water is ejected through the arch, emitting spray everywhere. We returned by floating down the blue Haast River. Not the best canyon I have been in but a good adventure. Unless I am mistaken that was my first canyon first descent! Please pardon the quality of the photos as they were taken with an early generation point-and-shoot waterproof camera without a tripod. Photos of me were shot by Chucky or Lara.

30th: Wilsons Creek. Today we went down Wilsons Creek in moderately high flow. The approach was not too bad despite 350m vertical as the bush was quite open. An impressively steep and narrow spur found us at the stream. After enjoying an early lunch and a bit of sun, we headed downstream where the water abruptly funnels down a dark and narrow crevice booming with the sounds of angry water. The canyon stays deep and inescapable until the end with no shortage of frothy white water and beautifully cut black-and-white schist. All the rappels were great. There must have been some recent aggradation as Chucky pointed out 12m jumps he did a year ago into what is now not even waist deep water. We had to take care to avoid some potentially dangerous hydraulics at times. In places the canyon was less than 1m wide and probably 60m high- a true slot canyon! It was 4 hours of really enjoyable canyon and I didn't want it to end. A close contender with the next day's trip for the best New Zealand canyon I have been in! Afterward we drove around a little bit and scouted for some potential canyons- there are a few that look amazing and are calling to me.

31st: Phoebe Creek. Today was an epic full-on day of canyoning that had both Chucky and I grinning with pleasure and thrilled to be back with the living once we emerged. It is probably the best canyon I have been through in New Zealand. We had very little information (rumors really) to go off as we were likely the third trip down the canyon in 15 years. We made a couple errors in the approach with the result that we had to cross some rather steeply-incised drainages to get to where we wanted to be. It was a total 6 hour epic adventure from the beginning right to the end. The canyon was dark and intimidating, the waterfalls frothy and raging despite the moderate flow levels. Stunningly beautiful waterfalls of great variety- big rooster tails, single drops into chutes, corkscrews, low angle flumes, big overhangs, criss-crossing water streams- most of which were quite terrifying viewed from the top. The power of the water was not to be taken lightly! At one point the canyon drops under a giant chockstone into a gorgeous cathedral-like room with a great rappel entry. We dropped about 250m vertical in 12 rappels and numerous downclimbs. We both did a 5m jump into a 1m deep pool...the water is so clear depth can be deceptive at times. Most of the bolts were in pretty good shape for being 15 years old, but we still had to improvise some anchors. The canyon was the perfect length, very beautiful, very fun and provided just the right amount of terror. We were both giddy and relieved when we finally emerged from the canyon. One of the better ways to spend a New Years Eve.

1st: Cross Creek. The final day we made a group of six to go down a very low-flowing Cross Creek. This was to be a fun, easy pleasure trip to wrap up the 4 days. Although relatively open, this canyon is beautiful and seems to reveal a new feature or option each time it's visited. It sports nice waterfalls, beautiful deep pothole pools and a neat arch feature. I was able to jump, slide or downclimb all the obstacles but 3 (which were rappelled). The biggest jump was about 12m. I really need to find more canyons like this one (except maybe longer).

Swimming through the arch

Thanks to Lara for letting me borrow her camera. Thanks to Chucky for 4 solid days of fun.