The idea is to immerse ourselves into NZ canyons in the Aspiring and Westland Regions that are characterized by a lot of turquoise-blue chilly running water. White-water canyoning adds several degrees of difficulty to Australian-style canyoning. Abseiling techniques, rope management, negotiation of raging pools and waterfalls, and swift-water rescue procedures are just some of the skills that need to be adjusted. Required expertise and training pre-requisites: All participants need to be self-sufficient, highly skilled and experienced canyonners. To guarantee this level of expertise, this adventure is generally only open to ANUMC canyoning trip leaders. Exceptions on a case by case basis might be considered. All participants need to have demonstrated a fatalistic attitude towards cold water. Put simply, they need to thrive in the chilly wet elements. This will be tested by a string of wet winter canyoning training trips over the next couple of months. These training trips will also refresh white-water canyoning skills acquired by team members of the Tasmanian Exploratory Canyoning Expedition last year. Club members with both canyoning and white-water skills gained through engagement in, for example, kayaking or rafting, are highly encouraged to join the adventure. Skills in choreography and vocal arts are desirable. Some participants may have general white-water experience though their engagement in other activities such as kayaking or rafting. Nevertheless, I will try to organise a training course with a commercial canyoning company such as Big Rock Canyons (http://bigrockcanyons.co.nz/courses/) or the NZ Canyoning School (http://www.nzcanyoningschool.com/) for participants with little or no white-water experience. The adventure is planned to take place over about two weeks from end of January to early February when the water levels are expected to be manageable. These dates will also provide the opportunity to mingle with the local crowd during the NZ canyoning festival, which is expected to take place around this time. We will stay on campsites or at backpackers depending on availability. The guiding principle will be ‘cheap and cheerful'. To get around, we will hire a car. The trip will be subsidized by the ANUMC through the Adventure Fund. If you are interested, please read the Adventure Fund proposal (available on the web page) and send me an email.
TBA