PASSION4ADVENTURE

Friday, November 06, 2009

First blood, Burke River scout, climb, abseil, paddle, freedom. Lifeblood of the Nation.

Lifeblood of a Nation - please see below for the background on this project.

cheers - Zak Shaw

Image - Cover shot! Eye candy and the heart of the Burke Rivers "Churn Gorge"

Image - Zak Shaw

The Burke River was first descended thirteen years ago. As a three day adventure spearheaded by Keith Reiley a team discovered another stunning river trip in South Westland. Late on day two darkness fell as the paddlers arrived the "Churn Gorge" the rivers last attack. Poor light and a gorge reminiscent of the legendary Clarksfork of the Yellowstone's "Box canyon" forced an unexpected third night out.

Our day began at Haast beach.

Image Zak Shaw

For years both Keith and myself had planned on returning to the Churn Gorge to inspect the whitewater that Keith had managed to catch a glimpse of. Memories of teacup drops in a seriously committing canyon provided the lure and encouraged us back.

Image above - We set out by crossing the Haast River loaded with ropes, harnesses and a rough optimistic plan.

Image - Zak Shaw

Heading upriver we paddled into the Burke Gorge from the bottom up before the gradient began. The Burke gorge is an amazing sight. Stunning water color, trout every metre and glistening side creek waterfalls.

Image - Zak Shaw

The Churn Gorge!!! an amazing place to be.

Image - Zak Shaw

After half an hour of paddling we left the kayaks and set off with the packs. Climbing out of the gorge via a steep gully we moved quickly through open rainforest following deer trails. We managed to gain several views of the gorge below and felt good about paddling the whitewater. Once in the gorge at water level we had to be sure we could get out as the canyon walls were carved bedrock making every drop a must run.

At 2pm we returned to the kayaks having seen the whole gorge. Access would require a 60m abseil onto a slopping ledge. A 40ft cauldron style waterfall flowing directly into another big committing drop has us peering out of the bush from 100m up with high interest.

Both drops are at the very extent of what's possible in whitewater. After the second drop we lost sight of the river before it charged around a bend into a certain portage that we were 80% wasn't possible. We then headed back to the kayaks having shot some great pics, but happy to be walking away.

A short abseil into the gorge below the crux Churn drops put us in place for some full on kayaking.

Image - Keith fires off the first drop

Zak Shaw.

5pm and about time to get wet. Inside the gorge we paddled several testing drops and everything was much harder than expected. One horizon line we paddled at blind but emerged unscathed.

The Burke Rivers box canyon. - Approaching from the bottom its flat-water until you get to here. Anyone with a paddle can make their way inside the Burke Gorge. I highly recommend it!

Image - Zak Shaw

"Lifeblood of the Nation" is a SPARC funded initiative. Its focus is towards raising the profile of New Zealand's wild rivers. Rivers that all NZers can enjoy, should appreciate and are privileged to have. Check out www.wildrivers.org.nz

Image - Zak Shaw

Sunday, October 25, 2009

LIFEBLOOD OF A NATION

Lifeblood of the Nation - an Adventure Philosophy driven initiative.

What is Lifeblood? – Wild rivers are New Zealand’s Lifeblood. The Lifeblood of the Nation expedition is aimed at raising public consciousness about New Zealand’s rivers and the threats many of them currently face. Lifeblood is aimed at highlighting what we have and what we stand to lose.
Motu, Kaituna, Whakapapanui, Ruakituri, Mohikinui, Toaroha, Hurunui, Waitaha, Taipo, Matakitaki, Matiri, Nevis, Arahura, Glenroy, Mokau, Manuherikia….where next???

The ideas behind Lifeblood

1. How many incredible rivers we have.
2. How lucky we are to not have neighbouring countries to compete for them – they are ours!
3. How fast we are losing them to hydro power and effects of pollutants
4. How many unexplored kayak runs and other adventures still exist
5. How much of our culture, sense of adventure and stories have their roots in, or bought about by our rivers.
6. How little the average Kiwi knows about what is going on with them.
7. How little publication space has been dedicated to them in the last 10 years.

Lifeblood represents New Zealand’s wild rivers and the integral part they play in New Zealand society. Rivers and access to water are the lifeblood for New Zealanders not just for industry, energy and tourism but for our very sense of self.
The Lifeblood team is a generational mix of three of New Zealand’s most successful kayak industry adventurers, photographers, writers and teachers.
Mick Hopkinson, Graham Charles and myself funded by SPARC and its Hillary Expedition Scholarship will team up for a tour de force adventure on our key waterways, explore new and demanding kayak runs and refresh publicity.

The Lifeblood team

Graham Charles – One of NZ’s most well known adventurers, adventure advocates and photographer/writers. Over 25 years experience in all facets of the outdoors, author (NZ Whitewater. The Frozen Coast, The Unclaimed Coast), Founder of Adventure Philosophy and completed 4 international mutli-disciplined expeditions, 3 world first journeys, 3 internationally acclaimed documentaries.

Mick Hopkinson – recently inducted in the Kayaking Hall of Fame in the UK. 1st descents in many countries around the world, paddling for nearly 50 years. Mick is NZ’s ‘kayaking icon’ in the realm of Hillary and Blake. He has inspired generations of paddlers and continues to do so while fighting hard for our access to and, preservation of the lifeblood of the nation.

Zak Shaw – Outdoor instructor, guide, writer and adventure photographer. Representing the next generation of kiwi adventurers Zak was the first recipient of the Adventure Philosophy “Good for Life” scholarship in 2003, assisted Adventure Philosophy’s successful “Around South Georgia” expedition in 2005 and in 2006 went on to complete the first descent of

Tibet’s Parlung Tsangpo river. Zak has kayaked extensively internationally and is one of NZ’s best up and coming adventurers and role models for our youth.

Lifeblood - Associated people

Keith Riley – Keith is working with us for some of the adventure, Keith is adventure personified, enormously talented and is one of NZ’s little known but most active adventurers. He tutors and role models numerous students at Tai Poutini Polytechnic and is keeping the true adventure ethic alive in and for young Kiwi’s.

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Price is right! First Descent of the New Zealand's Prices River

The Prices River descent is linked to "Lifeblood of a Nation"

What is Lifeblood? – Wild rivers are New Zealand’s Lifeblood. The Lifeblood of the Nation expedition is aimed at raising public consciousness about New Zealand’s rivers and the threats many of them currently face. Lifeblood is aimed at highlighting what we have and what we stand to lose.

Paddler - Justin Venable probes a fast paced left line on the trips most prominent drop.
Image - Zak Shaw

Paddler - Zak Shaw
Image - Graham Charles - www.imagematters.co.nz

Our day started at 6.30am. Rain overnight lingered over the foothills and as a result Bruce Dando delayed our flight into Prices. Shannon was busy shoveling food into himself when the call was made and welcomed the extra half hour of feeding time!

Keith Reiley cant believe his eyes on route to Prices River.
Image - Zak Shaw

Heading into the unknown. Last summer Keith and I flew into the Prices drainage to check it out. Equipped with all our gear Bruce Dando refrained from landing not prepared to touch down on a landslide high above the river. Through the winter months Bruce went on recconaissance to discover a safe helipad. On the first flight of the morning Bruce dropped me at the Prices flats opting to have less weight on-board for touchdown.
Image - Zak Shaw

One by one we found ourselves hovering over the Toitoi whilst Bruce executed the landing.
Getting to the river required a short bush bash off the end of the slip then it was all go!
Image -Zak Shaw

Paddlers - Sam Hughes, Keith Reiley and Justin Venable moving about some of the Prices scenic sections.
Image - Zak Shaw

Paddler - Justin Venable
Image - Graham Charles - www.imagematters.co.nz

The enormously talented Keith Reiley shows up again!
Image - Zak Shaw

Top shot
Thats gold! Keith Reiley cashing in - Prices River
Image - Zak Shaw

Image - Graham Charles - www.imagematters.co.nz

Wild and incredibly scenic the Prices River is a must see for paddlers this season.
KR finds time to take a peak at another 3m drop.
Image - Zak Shaw

Paddler - Shannon Mast
Image - Zak Shaw

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Werner Paddles Blog

Werner Paddles Blog Link - http://www.wernerpaddlesblog.com/blog/2009/02/werner-team-member-zak-shaw-is-multitalented.html

Sunday, August 09, 2009

The Arctic - where kayaking began. Images from my third voyage - Iceland, Southern Greenland and across into the Canadian High Arctic.

A week ago I was sitting on the shores of Beechey Island in the center of the Canadian High Arctic. Before us was a South Georgia like scene of activity. Over a hundred Beluga whales, masses of seals and clouds of feeding birds congesting a horseshoe shaped bay. We just sat back and watched.
Beechey was a fantastic last stop on day fifteen of our passage linking Iceland with the tiny Canadian outpost of Resolute. To say the least my time in the far north has been incredible! Enjoy the images!

Dating back over 4000 years kayaking began in Greenland.

Traditional Greenland - Nanortalik settlement, Southern Greenland

Brash and bergs! Kayaking along Greenland's West coast and the Jacobshavn Glacier. Its the worlds most active advancing 24m per day.

Uumannaq - West Greenland

Humpback whale show! East Greenland coast.

Ship reflection. Calm seas in the Davis Straight meant I could shoot this image as slow as I wanted. 1/3 sec @f22 The white specs are blocks of brash ice racing towards the ships bow.