Adv 223 Yumpu

CANYONING
TALES
Canyoning,
What’s to love?
absolutely Everything
Words and images by Lynne and Steve Dickinson
What is there to ‘love’ about being gift-wrapped in
multiple layers of 6mm thick neoprene, a life-vests,
a harness, a helmet, socks, and boots then being
herded up a dusty track for half an hour in the blazing
sun?
Absolutely everything!
We were bundled up like Michelin men, hiking up the
Routeburn track just out of Glenorchy, hardly able
to move due to the numerous layers of neoprene.
But all you could hear was the friendly chatter, and
“Sh#T it’s hot” from various members of our group.
We were getting to know one another whilst waddling
towards our canyoning destination. Alex and Mike,
from Canyon Explorers, led the trip and the rest
of our group included Gisela and Ferdinand from
Dunedin, Althea and Marian from France and Steve
and I. It was a first time canyoning for most of us and
although we had read up what to expect there was a
certain amount of mystery and trepidation to what the
day held.
Canyon Explorers are based in Queenstown and
have been exploring canyons in the region since
the late 1990’s. They have been running canyon
expeditions since 1998 and a Via Ferrara since 2003.
Canyoning can be a half day or a full day experience
and we were enjoying the start of the full day as we
ambled up the track.
I’m not sure what it is, maybe a mixture of everything;
the setting, the adrenaline, the effort, the cold, the
fear, the pushing of your own personal boundaries, or
being with a group of likeminded people, that makes
canyoning such a great ‘experience’.
Our day had begun at the Adventure Centre in
Queenstown, where we met the staff and were
transported out to the canyoning base to be kitted
up with our multiple layers of clothing. From here
we were driven along the breath-taking drive from
Queenstown to Glenorchy and beyond into Mt
Aspiring National Park and the start of the infamous
Routeburn track.
If you have never visited the Routeburn, that’s an
experience to savour. The scenery is stunning,
and although Queenstown itself boasts incredible
views everywhere you look, there is something truly
magical about this part of New Zealand. Despite
the fact that it was a bluebird day, waterfalls still
cascaded down the surrounding mountainsides. We
sat in the filtered lights of the beech trees with birds
calling to each other and sweat running down our
face in rivulets, and it was the perfect introduction to
what lay ahead.
It was hard to imagine that we would need so many
layers because the sun was beating down and there
was not a cloud in the sky. But before long we were
gingerly crossing the first river trying to stay as dry as
possible. As we tip-toed across the shallows trying
not to get too wet, Alex called us to look at something
in the river then proceeded to splash us with water.
At this point we realised just how cold the water was
and also that our guide was a bit of a trickster.
Our walk up to the start of the canyon took us
through the rainforest and although it was somewhat
restricting to move in the multiple layers, the place
and the setting were a huge distraction. After a bit of
a gentle climb up, we stopped on the “story log” for
a much needed rest. With steam rising off our glad
wrapped bodies, we sat and listened as Mike and
Alex told us a little about the rainforest. Mike told us
the legend of Mahuika and her fingernails of fire and
then Alex handed us each a dark looking leaf telling
us it was from the Horopito Plant, otherwise known
as “the bubble-gum plant”. She explained that if we
chewed it to release the flavours, we would taste the
bubble-gum. So like gullible school kids we took a
bite of the leaf and eagerly chewed. It did not take
long to realise that the Horopito Plant was actually
known as the “pepper plant” as we spat the leaf onto
the ground trying to get rid of the burn. Apparently, it
makes an excellent spicy addition to any meal!
By the time we reached the Bridal Veil Stream Bridge
we were hanging out to jump in the water, not only to
cool down our bodies but also our burning mouths!
Crossing the first river as Alex makes sure we all know just how cold the water is
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