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January 2nd - Lower Whataroa River

Andy:  My last day on the West Coast! A group of Kiwis and myself went down to do the Lower Whataroa.  We flew with a different pilot today, and he used a different method to carry the kayaks - a giant sling with all the kayaks and paddles hanging below the helicopter.  I was amazed he could fly with so much weight swinging below, and I was convinced our paddles were going to be crushed when he landed.  Fortunately, he proved me wrong and all our equipment arrived intact.

The day started off with a bit of misadventure, as one of the kiwis swam within 20 feet of the put-in (!) and lost his paddle.  Amazingly, I had just purchased a breakdown paddle (a paddle split into 3 pieces that fits into a kayak) that morning and promptly pulled it out of my boat - a well timed purchase!

Wendy and Steve are still on the Routeburn Track.  We'll meet up again in a few more days.

Great scenery on the Lower Whataroa


The slingload coming in for a landing.  He cut the load loose, and then landed next to it.

 

Andy on the Lower Whataroa

 

Louie on the  Lower Whataroa

 

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