For a while I have been telling a few friends I would take them on a intro canyoning trip. Suddenly I found myself at the end of the canyon season and decided I better organize a trip quick. Five strong, we met in a light drizzle at the Woolshed Creek carpark near Mt. Somers. I opted to take the longer, but more scenic approach to the top of the canyon which the keen trampers did not seem to mind much. A steep hillside climb gave way to moist tussock tops. A last climb and steep descent around another one of the canyons put us in view of Woolshed Creek Hut. We passed through a beautiful mixed landscape forest, scrub, and rock outcrop and crossed a scenic swingbridge. We had an enjoyable lunch in the sun on the porch of the hut before suiting up and heading down the canyon. Downstream the benign creek became enclosed by outcrop of columnar rhyolite and began to drop in a series of waterfalls abseils. Shivers began almost immediately.
This canyon was unlike any I had been through in New Zealand. For over a hundred meters the canyon was a true slot, often hands could be placed on both walls simultaneously. The dark grey rhyolite had remarkably good grip with very little algae which was a nice change from the weekend before. We worked our way down several abseils and little downclimbs to the second stream that pours in on the left. Here we climbed up to enjoy a 5m slide and I enjoyed a really nice 5m jump.
Often the slot would open up and flatten out before dropping down into another tight slot section. After the abseils, a couple more swims, jumps and slides continued to entertain. The canyon opened into a gorge, but a few more jumpable deep pools remained. Near one I found a 8m high jump into a bottomless pool that almost required a running start to clear the cliff below...great jump though!
Then came the seemingly endless walk down the creek. We were all cold and hungry at this point. Although the walk was very pleasant, I think we were all satisfied to reach the car, having had a really nice trip. I managed to navigate the maze of backroads behind Timaru to Mt Nimrod where we had a great camp spot, bonfire, meal and good night's sleep.
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