Hokitiki down to Haast, inland to Queenstown via Wanaka. Fresh snow on all the peaks, lush, dense forest, waterfalls cascading hundred foot down, glaciers, coastal views. Visually awesome. Deservedly a world heritage site.

Ten days out now. Bits of rest and relaxation in Queenstown, heal the wounds, taper, final adjustments, equipment check. Head up next Wednesday again. Excitement building.

Gordon offered to take me over the run course again. Has been staying there for the past month, and knows each rock and root by name. Knew when he said: “This little tree hasn’t grown for seven years”, that I was in finest company. (more…)

Twas an eight hour day yesterday. Few bruises. Including on the ego. Back on the water with the lads today. A more relaxing day out. And an into to the wind renowned in the valley. Gordon Blythen really taught me invaluable years worth of experience today. He’s 42 year old, solid as a rock, hard as nails, work of art. Raced Primal Quest with Master Martin. Seat sorted. Finally. And spent four good hours on the water. Such a different type of river to back home. Three section. First and last similar, with braided networks of streams in a rock river bed bout 300m wide on average maybe. So one needs to link the best ones. The pearl is the middle gorge section through. Awesome cliff faces, great wave chains, profound eddy’s.