Date: October 1, 2024
Location: Rees Valley, Glenorchy, Otago, New Zealand
Total Trip Distance: Paddling - 3.72 mi / 5.98 km | Walking - 4.2 mi / 6.75 km
Total Elevation Gain: n/a
Trip Duration: 2 laps with walking back to the start: 2.5 hours
Team: Chris Churcher
Field Notes: A super fun and bouncy Class II river trip. There is a Class III section that we opted not to paddle and so we started below the initial rapids. A car or bike can be left at the Invincible Mine Snowfields, or it is an easy forty minute walk back to the start. Gauge flow for the Rees at Invincible: 17 cumec.
Only one week ago Chris and I had broke our river packrafting virginity on the Class I section of the Rees River. It was a fantastic first trip and left us wanting more. With the weather still not cooperating to get high in the hills, we decided to go back back to the Rees and get some experience on the Class II section.
It was almost a feeling of déjà vu as we drove the Queenstown Glenorchy road. We let out the same excited yell as we rounded the corner and got our view of the mighty Mount Earnslaw. That sight never gets old.
As we inflated our rafts, there was a noticeable feeling of tension in my body. Although I knew that serious harm was unlikely to occur today, I had never paddled a Grade II rapid before. I spent a moment doing a quick visualization of the line I wanted to take down the river. The initial launch would be the most challenging part of the day. Straight into it.
Five minutes later Chris and I were hooting and hollering - the adrenaline rush was unreal. I can see why people get addicted to whitewater and continue to crave the rush that comes with the higher grades. For now, we are stoked to paddle our Class I and II rivers in search of deep wilderness zones.
Happy days..
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