Text taken from the club newsletter.
The trip that almost wasn't! Remembering the 1988 Pelorous river trip being cancelled, the 1989 trip did not look promising. Numbers were well down, only 12, and another cancellation seemed likely. We were keen to go but the price rose sharply, from $65 to $100. Even so I was still looking forward to my 5th Pelorous trip.
Friday saw us all assembled at the ferry terminal. All essential items had been remembered. At Picton our transport was a 16 seater bus. Collecting luggage now is easy, conveyor-style as in airports. Our journey to the Roding River was rather long as we over shot our turn-off and stopped south of Brightwater. Finally on the right road and after some uncertainty as to how far we should go, we stopped, turned around, went back, crossed a bridge, got the map out - not far enough yet, carried on again and finally reached the Roding River camp ground about 2am.
At 9:05am we set off under overcast skies, over the Roding River bridge and onto a 4WD road. We soon stopped for blackberries and yellow plums. Next stop was for a short side trip to Miners falls - very worthwhile. On once more to Browning hut and a cooling dip for some in the stream. A short distance later we had a 400 foot climb up to Totara saddle. Lunch was a short distance away. At this stage the group spread out more. Travel was relatively easy along the sidle track. The last of us arrived at Roebuck hut, by the Pelorous river, at 5pm as periods of rain set in. Sunday's forecast was for more rain. However the sky cleared. One fly was already set up on our arrival and another soon followed. Tubes were inflated enthusiastically with visions of a grand trip tomorrow. For most, tea consisted of salad. Overnight the full moon lit the scene.
Sunday morning was fine and sunny. Packing for a tube trip is a long and tedious process. There was gear everywhere: tubes, wetsuits, plastic bags etc. Finally at 9:15am we were ready to sail. River level was low so for those with smaller tubes more walking was necessary.
Some way down river we stopped to regroup in a sunny area. My tube was the first to go down. The hot sun weakened a patch and it deflated in seconds. Hasty repairs were made providing sufficient buoyancy, but it was never the same.
Further down 3 tubes were cut on sharp rocks. Fortunately we were able to make repairs. This was also our lunch stop, giving more time for the patch up work. After 1½ hours we set off, stopping later at our usual lunch stop - Middy hut. Away by 3:30pm the best part was yet to come. About 4:45 the swing bridge was sighted and there was still one good rapid. Twenty minutes later we stopped at Captains Creek hut. Sand flies were voracious. I wore a long sleeve shirt and blue long johns. Not recommended as sandflies seem to have a liking for blue. The usual fly sights were heavily overgrown with bracken and grass but one fly was erected. Weather was clear and sunny so most of us claimed a smooth sleeping spot on the dry shingle. Overnight was clear and still with another full moon.
A later than intended start on Monday saw us away by 8:45am. The clear sky soon clouded over, later becoming clear again. Travel was slow even with a tail wind. Some tubes had the usual problem. One slow leak was repaired, setting us back an hour. Further down river 2 more tubes were right offs. The Chief Guide's tube suffered a massive $20 blow out, instantly reducing his mode of aquatic conveyance to shredded rubber. It was a long walk out. We regrouped further down river where the track rejoins the river. It was also lunch break.
The Chief Guide walked all the way out to Pelorous bridge, our pre-arranged pickup point that proved beyond our reach. The rest of us continued down river without further incident. Head winds slowed us and one pool was very long and slow. We later exited at our usual pickup point - Tinline creek, the last one arriving at 5:45pm. A short time later our bus arrived, with Chief Guide and 4 other passengers. It was a panic gathering up remaining gear and getting onto the bus. We were away by 6:20pm, stopping in Havelock for a quick bite to eat. On again, arriving in Picton about 7:35pm. We were on board with 2 minutes to spare. Closest call I have had with the ferry.
Great trip, do it again some day. Fellow tubers: Peter Jackson, Anita Catchpole, Brian Goodwin, Harry Smith, Eric Evans, Sally Marsh, Neville Jones, Richard Ferguson, Rita Bexton, Peter Moosbrugger, Graeme Powell and Jamie McCulloch.