This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
ANZAC WEEKEND 22 - 25 APRIL 1994 By Woody (aka Andrew McColgan)
After the usual truck ride in the Duchess, we arrived at our campsite at Whakahoro which also happened to be the starting point for our three day Canadian Canoe adventure down the Wanganui River. Upon arrival we discovered our leader already under a fly and sound asleep. Thanks for the brew and the plentiful supply of tent pegs, Austin!
Our efforts that night to get some sleep were foiled somewhat by Harry, who in his infinite wisdom decided that four sleeping in the back of the truck was sufficient, and locked the rest of us out with the help of some rope. I should mention from memory Harry, that I think Jo still owes you one for shouting out in the middle of the night, “You're areal man, jo!” Oh, by the way Wayne Stevens, we could still hear you, even from that distance; funny how sound travels!
The next moming dawned foggy and thenstarted to rain. Was this a portent of things to come! After the rain stopped and the Plateau Guides company finally showed up, we were ready to go. Our gear stowed safely ? ? away in airtight containers, we set off with Harry and Matthew Craig leading the way. Hey guys, I thought you were supposed to point the front (that’s the bow, Woody Ed) of the boat downstream.
We were informed that the first and last rapids were the worst. I should have known what was going to happen; Jo being Jo steered us directly to where the largest waves were, explaining that she wanted to ride those waves. At least I can say she was consistent on the steering, heading for the roughest part of the rapids all the time.
The rest of the trip that day was spent meandering down the river at a leisurely pace. The weather was abit fickle, but on the whole, remained fine for most of the joumey. The only other bit of real excitement, or tension might be a better word, was when Harry decided to cling to Geoff's boat. After much shoving and pulling, and even stomping, the matter was settled by an oar-wielding, angry Austin (Trip Leader), who I gather was not keen on going for a swim in the Wanganui. Why not Austin, the Wanganui’s a clean river, isn’t it?
Upon arrival at the John Coull Hut, being truly hardened trampers and outdoor adventurers, we decided to sleep out under flies at nicely appointed campsites above the river bank. It also had nothing to do with the fact that the hut was full to the brim with other canoeists on the river, did it guys?
The centre of attention on the second day moved from Austin to Sarah Griffiths who did a masterful impression of abandoning ship as her boat went down a small rapid sideways. She was standing with one foot on the gunwale, ready to jump; great reactions. I wouldn’t laugh Harry, I have never seen anybody turn as white or hold on to the side railing as hard as you, as your boat hit the submerged log side on!
The action award of the day must once again go to Sarah, who one could only describe as performing a feat of brilliant gymnastics, stretched full length, horizontal to the ground (in this case, water), feet locked on to the gunwale of the boat and fingers dug into the bank, lungs bellowing. Only quick reactions from Richard saved the day. If that wasn’t bad enough, an attack by wasps finished the day off nicely, didn’t it Sarah! The third day belonged toJo and I for being the only crew to have to hop out and bail out after being swamped on the last rapid. The ride of the trip must get amention, and the prize goes to our ex-president, Roger Bolam, who spent most of the trip prone while Robert Cross did the majority of the paddling.
Thank you Austin for arranging a most excellent trip, one which I highly recommend to anyone wanting a canoe trip, and one I would like to see on our trip list again at some stage.
Punters too many to list! Woody