River Rescue Course on the Rangitata


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Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Geraldine
December 15th 2008
Published: December 16th 2008
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Howdy team! Doing a bit of back entry type blogging here, as I haven't had too much time to get all this stuff organized until now. Let me begin by saying that raft guides tend to wear quite a bit of fancy gear down the river. This includes a lifejacket with a rescue harness, a whistle, a river knife, a throwbag (a bag of rope, usually attached around the waste), a flip line (for flipping your b... Read Full Entry



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Cows + Gear = FunnyCows + Gear = Funny
Cows + Gear = Funny

Bad Cows, personal gear is not for eating, only company gear.
Day 3 - At the put-inDay 3 - At the put-in
Day 3 - At the put-in

Getting ready for our rescue scenarios.
Let's go get em!Let's go get em!
Let's go get em!

The scenario, off in the distance. Lets go get em!
Rapid on the RangitataRapid on the Rangitata
Rapid on the Rangitata

Normally a class 2 rapid, now a rather intimidating class 3+
PortagingPortaging
Portaging

Wimping out and walking around the good stuff. :(
Almost there...Almost there...
Almost there...

A long portage, well over half a kilometer or more.
Person in a cave rescuePerson in a cave rescue
Person in a cave rescue

Trying to get to that person in the cove, strong boils made it nearly impossible.
Swimmers!Swimmers!
Swimmers!

Make the buggers swim, teach them a lesson for falling out of the boat.
Too many chiefs...Too many chiefs...
Too many chiefs...

...not enough Indians.
Rafting the RangitataRafting the Rangitata
Rafting the Rangitata

Fantastic scenery, good water. What could be better
Done, driving home Done, driving home
Done, driving home

Absolutely wiped out, if I did that stuff every week I'd be in fantastic shape.
Lake Tekapo and the Southern AlpsLake Tekapo and the Southern Alps
Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps

Lake Take-A-Poo, hardy har har har.
Mount CookMount Cook
Mount Cook

New Zealand's tallest, looking dramatic as usual.
Rolling hills, 2 hours from QueenstownRolling hills, 2 hours from Queenstown
Rolling hills, 2 hours from Queenstown

This part of the drive reminded me a lot of parts of California during the spring. Feeling a bit homesick here but enjoying it none-the-less.
Scouting the Nevis BluffScouting the Nevis Bluff
Scouting the Nevis Bluff

Nearly home, making a quick stop along the side of the road to check out one of the more un-runnable rapids along the Kawarau river.
Nevis Bluff, "zoom" inNevis Bluff, "zoom" in
Nevis Bluff, "zoom" in

A good shot of the Bluff fully zoomed in with my camera. Those waves and holes are probably 20 feet high or more.
Back to QRBack to QR
Back to QR

3 days later and infinitely more tired than before. Good times!
Wiped outWiped out
Wiped out

Fully starting to feel the effects of the last 3 days worth of activities. I am barely able to keep my eyes open as I brush my teeth.



Tot: 0.11s; Tpl: 0.019s; cc: 10; qc: 45; dbt: 0.0612s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb