Comments on: Thoughts about river safety issues

By: Good river stories | Windy Hilltops

Good river stories | Windy Hilltops — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:08:57 +0000

[...] doubts about how dangerous rivers can potentially be at the wrong time (following from one of my earlier posts), Frank and Sue over at Our Hiking Blog have recently posted a telling story from Tasmania about [...]

By: Mike McGavin

Mike McGavin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:38:56 +0000

Hi Robb. I remember when we got out of there a few months ago we ended up crossing the second half of that river by crawling over a fallen tree about 30 metres up the river (still there as of last weekend), and then doing some clambering up the steepish hillside back to the main part of the track.

There did seem to be hints of a route going through the fairly dense trees up the far side, so perhaps it’s something that other people also do from time to time. It certainly doesn’t seem a good river to tread in when it’s flooded.

By: Robb

Robb — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:15:37 +0000

Kia ora Mike,
Just returned from 5 days solo in the Ruahines, mainly at Triangle, where interestingly it rained for 22 hours straight and turned the Oroua into a raging torrent. Just had to sit tight and wait it out while it dropped a bit, and before the rain came again, and got across in the afternoon. That is a section of river where in flood there is not much room for error or a place to cross. Fine when it is normal flow, but very tight through there and a rather big rapid and log jam down stream, not a place I would want to end up in a flood. Just sat on the porch and had another cup of tea.
Cheers,
Robb

By: Mike McGavin

Mike McGavin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:51:55 +0000

Hi Robb.

Thanks for the comments and for pointing out how useful poles can be. They’re not something I’m at all experienced with using in rivers since I don’t carry them myself when walking for other reasons, but everyone I know who does thinks they’re fantastic in rivers.

You’re also right, of course, that local knowledge can be a huge thing. I’ve heard of several occasions where people have taken unnecessary risks in bad conditions simply because they didn’t realise there were safer places nearby, or even (in at least one case) that there was a good solid bridge 200 metres up the river.

Mike.

By: Robb

Robb — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:02:34 +0000

Kia ora Mike,
As someone whom normally tramps alone, I have to rely on experience, gut instinct, and knowledge of the rivers in deciding whether to cross or not. I find my pair of Leki poles invaluable for river walking and crossing, and I always carry a bivvy or tent and am quite prepared, and have done so, to just sit it out if the hairs on the back of my stand up at the thought of crossing a flooded river. Having written that I have also traversed the Maropea to Maropea Forks a number of times when it has been up, simply because after 15 trips down it, I know it fairly well and know there are really 3-4 places where I might get into real trouble. Other rivers in the Ruahines require a bit more caution, the Pohangina and Kawhatau two in particular I have seen rise and fall amazingly fast. Traveling with my sons on a river I would only do a fine day, and again have, simply turned back if conditions look unpleasant. On my last trip out of Parks Peak we experience a two day blizzard and when arriving at the Makaroro and could see the car on the other side, found a raging torrent. Having also crossd this river many times we simply walked up a few hundred metres where the river widens a bit, and while I walked against the current, my partner walked next to me to lessen his exposure a bit, both with poles, and we made it fine. Though our hearts were pumping and we both felt the power of the river. Had it been up any more we would not have attempted it. Cheers Mike, enjoyed the post.
Robb