Behind the Line in NZ by Jordy

From Behind the Line - Upper Upper Perth

Due to its wide flow range, open river character allowing complete scouting and portaging options and the plethora of fantastic whitewater it possess', the Perth River has always been known as a classic New Zealand helirun. Two years ago, admittedly before I/ most our group was worthy, I paddled the Upper section of the Perth River with a disastrous outcome... but two years on this would be a very different story. With a plan forged in the bar the night before and a late start due to the lasting effects of a very good night, Barny, Joe Keck, Brian Urmson, Ari Walker and Myself found ourselves at the Whataroa Heli area trying to sort a helicopter. 

Barny and I trying to explain B-Rain and Ari's relationship (J. Keck)

Our shuttle vehicle (B. Young)

After getting a cradle brought over from Fox Glacier township, educating the pilot to our shuttle plan and exchanging some cold hard cash, we dropped B-Rain and Ari at Scone Hut and Barny and I were dropped 'well' up the Perth River. This would turn out to be a much longer day than we'd thought. During the first couple of hours I was amazed at how much the river had changed since my last time down... little did I know we had put on about 4km higher than last time. Putting on at 2pm usually isnt much of an issue but this 'higher' put in took us 6 hours to break down and seen us rolling into the hut around 8pm tired, beaten and grinning ear to ear. Here are the photos from day one.

Landing well the the Perth Branch above Scone Hut (J. Keck) 

Barny ready for business (J. Keck)

Barny lacing the first notable drop (J. Keck)

Me running the lead out (B. Young)

Barny bringing out the Fish eye... (B. Young)

Boofing another amazing drop (B. Young)

Joe Keck blending into the background (B. Young)

Joe didnt like the look but Barny and I loved the taste... stout (B. Young)

I wanted it on video so had to go first... through the lead-in (B. Young)

and boofing through the hole (B. Young)

Barny hucking into the hole (J. Keck)

Barny running a sick boof... this photo is taken from the middle of the river!!! (J. Keck)

Joe experiencing NZ at its best (B. Young)
Me getting ready to launch (J. Keck)

This photo does not, in any way, reflect how continuous the upper section is. (B. Young)

The funny thing is that all of these drops and many more not shown here are all above the section that I ran two years ago which took us 4 hours back then. This time round Barny, Joe and I flew through this section in about 2 hours with the help of pieces of Barny and my memory and some brave eddy hoping. Photos would of taken time and we were well past 6pm at this stage.. Sorry. Anyway, arriving at Scone Hut where B-Rain and Ari had the fire going and water on the boil for some much anticipatd Ravioli. After catching the last little bit of sunlight while eating dinner, some lethargic goon drinking (or lack there of), we drifted off to sleep in the fire warmed accommodation provided by the Department of Conservation.

Day two started, and as you will see finished, like a dream. Blue-bird sky, bacon and egg breakfast and pretty much dry paddling gear... this was going to be a good day. Here are some of the photos from the second day.

Scone Hut up the Perth Valley (J. Keck)

The first thing we scouted out properly (B. Young)

Joe smiling on Day 2 ... well we think he is smiling (B. Young)

Bliss-Stick Mystic (B. Young)

B-Rain boofing the hole (B. Young)

The alternate line to Pinballs (B. Young)

Ari... Boofing? (B. Young)

Joe coming through the hole... (B. Young)

NZ Pure... Straight from the river

Boofing a sweet drop towards the end of the first steep section on day 2. (B. Young)

This river trip really had it all... steep technical white-water, good friends to share it with, perfect weather and most importantly no serious incident. With three options for get-in's, the lower at Five Finger Stream(IV-IV+), Scone Hut (IV+ - V) and the Upper (V), this river has plenty of options for trips and is definitely a must do for anyone paddling on the West Coast... Check it out. 

Al's SE kayaking extravaganza

Photo TR: Southeast Fall Classics

Fresh off a trip to visit my good friend Joe and run some steep whitewater, I can't stop thinking about the Southeast. We scored a near perfect weekend of boating on a couple true classics, the Green River Narrows and Tallulah Gorge.

Almost everything went right on this trip, aside from a few minor crashes on the water. First, it goes without saying that the whitewater was top notch. Second, I got to test drive the new Liquid LogicStomper 90. The boat is super fun to paddle and truly combines the incredible hull of the Remix with all the features of the Jefe that have made it one of the most revered creekers to date. Also, I have to put in a plug for the local eateries and watering holes. Asheville is home to some fantastic restaurants, coffee houses, and bars. Can't wait to go back.

The photos tell it best. The first run was an afternoon run on the Green. Can't tell you how happy I was to see the Tuxedo Hydro station report on Wednesday morning saying the Green would be running for the long weekend. Being a newly minted Green local, Joe got me fired up to go left in Go Left for the first time. Some crashes ensued, but dang if that isn't a fun rapid.

Joe on Go Left.

And in the Groove Tube.

We spent day two doing back-to-back laps. With a bluebird day and the trees still holding strong color for this late in the fall, it was a standout day of paddling. We rallied down with a great local posse as well.

Groove Tube at midday. Photo: Nikki Malatin

Matthew entering Scream Machine, the beginning

of the slide series below Gorilla

Gorilla was waiting.

Third time's the charm, and it was the last lap of the weekend, so Joe decided to fire it. Green River OG and Liquid Logic founder, Woody Callaway, offered us some great advice: you come into the Notch with a plan, and then you ad lib from there to the lip. That's what happened, as we both planned to catch the eddy, but both got sent direct.

Joe in the Notch (missed the photo of his first Gorilla crash, dang!)

Rolling over the Monkey, Speedtrap, and the runout.

Slides! (so 1990s, bro)

After the Green we routed over the Eastern Continental Divide and headed to the Tallulah Gorge. We had great timing and caught a good old-fashioned festival party at Tallulahfest.

We got on the river early the next day and enjoyed watching Issac Levinson and Pat Keller lap the markee drop, Oceana. Pat was running a new line involving a hectic downstream ferry above the Thing, followed by an eddy turn next to it, and then a surf back around to the pool. Fun to watch.

What's that I spy on Joe's upper lip?

Well, it is Movember, after all.

Stomper & stairs.

Isaac on the middle line:

Pat inventing a new line:

Joe on the 'days of thunder' line:

Yeehaw:

Tallulah is definitely one of the most scenic places I have paddled. With predictable releases, occasional rain flows, and awesome autumn foliage, fall boating in the Southeast is hard to beat.