Team Based Canyon rescue course with NZ Canyon School

UPDATED PLAN 29/03/16

Plans:

Plan A: base ourselves near Lake Brunner and use Carew Falls on both days. I went up there the day before yesterday to have another look at access etc and it is a good location, fairly easy access. Day one would be a bit of theory and a dry session in the morning, then head out to Carew Falls for a smooth and efficient team descent. Day two: back into Carew Falls for some advanced techniques: one on one vertical rescue, canyon swift water rescues, ascending, guided rappel, tyrolean traverse, self rescue….. Might not be able to do all of that but those are some ideas.

Plan B: water taxi into Anchorage (Abel Tasman NP) early on day 1 and base ourselves there for two days and use Torrent River. Water taxi out end of day two. Contents similar to above. If we end up going into the Abel Tasman NP there will just be some cost for the water taxi rides in and out. Around $60-70pp return. 

Weather: 

Plan depends on the weather. Saturday looks pretty wet around the Westcoast which might mean flows are too high. I don’t mind if they are up a bit, Carew is low flow so it might get a bit more exciting, but we can’t have too much. At this stage I think we can get away with Lake Brunner but I’ll keep an eye on it. It will be a bit dryer up our way. I’ll check again when I’m back in the office tomorrow morning and we’ll make a decision so you know what to organise for.

Accommodation:

For Plan A there are a few options:

http://jacksonsretreat.co.nz/bookings/ Looks like a handy place, closest to Carew Creek with cabins and camping available.

http://lakebrunnermotel.co.nz/ I stayed there a few nights ago, they have cabins for $31pp and camping for $17pp available next weekend. They’re happy for us to use the lounge area for some theory if it’s wet outside and they have a small bbq shelter where we could set up a few anchors for a dry session if it rains.

http://www.lakebrunnermotorcamp.co.nz/ Cabins are not available this weekend but camping is fine, $15pp. They also have a lounge but no shelter to play with ropes etc.

For Plan B:

http://www.motuekatop10.co.nz/index.html I just checked with them and they have 4p cabins for $125 and camping for $23pp. Plenty of space available still and if not there will be plenty of other places for Friday night. Saturday night we would spend at Anchorage in the park, they still have plenty of tent sites available, $14pp.

Gear:

Personal gear:

-outdoor clothing

-wetsuit (min 4mm)

-shoes (trainers is fine, make sure they have flat soles and soft rubber)

-neoprene socks

-harness (preferably with pvc nappies but no dramas if they don’t, I have some available for $25), with:

                -cowstails with locking karabiners

                -descender (avoid ATC, ideal is figure eight style, I have got spares)

                -ascending gear (avoid prussiks, mechanical ascenders preferred)

                -4 spare locking karabiners available for rigging (not holding any gear)

                -a piece of webbing for rigging anchors

-helmet

-knife

-whistle

-dive mask

-pack with floatation (waterproof drum, drybag or empty bottle)

-headlamp

-rescue blanket

-buoyancy aid (personal preference)

-waterproof notebook

-waterproof camera (optional, good substitute for not having a notebook)

Group gear:

-webbing

-karabiners

-throwbags

-rope (lengths depend on which plan we go with, for plan A: 2 x 100m and 2 x 60m would be ideal, for plan B: 4 or five lengths around 40m would be good), rope should have a middle mark.

-any other gear you would like to have a play with

Didymo:

Please make sure everyone’s gear is 200% didymo free.

Code of Practice:

http://www.kiwicanyons.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/COP-final-draft-PDF.pdf

A bit dated but it would be good if people have a read of it. Especially if they are fresh new canyoners!

That’s what I can think of so far. Like I said, we’ll have to keep an eye on the weather forecast and make a decision soon. I’ve got a plan in mind but more than happy to change the contents based on what you think the team needs. With such a high skill level generally and with you, Grant and Koryn there I can see it could become a bit of a workshop, happy to roll with that.

Any questions/suggestions please yell out.

Cheers,