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.
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Andy on the Lower Whataroa
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Louie on the Lower Whataroa
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