Bit of a downer on tramping at this point, we headed north to kayak on the Abel Tasman route. We both had been really excited about doing this - and we were right to be!
A freedom rental for three days, we persuaded them to give us a kayak each instead of a double, which would only lead to domestic strife. We were given a full briefing by the staff and supplied with safety equipment (pump, flare) and a map of the coast line. We packed our tent, food and spare, dry clothes on the hatches. Yippee. - Expeditioning in a boat. The forecast looked good, but we were told to expect it to be a bit choppy in a section called the "Mad Mile". Launching at Marahau we headed northwards to camp at Mosquito Bay. So far so good, we lunched on a sandy beach and then headed for the Mad Mile. Choppy! Flippin swell of 2-3 metres. Bigger than anything I'd ever paddled in before. We decided to turn around (a problem in itself as you don't want to get caught side on)and go back to safer waters for a think. A conversation then followed with a guy who had just emerged out of the Mad Mile. We asked how long the section of swell lasted, did it get worse etc. He said, you seem aware of the situation by your questions, if you have the stamina to do it go for it. So we did. 50 minutes later we emerged at Anchorage Bay, exhausted and drained. We were not "paddling fit" and we simply knackered. I can still remember feeling totally s**t scared sitting in my little boat at the bottom of those troughs with a three metre wall of water above me. We found out later that the forecast had been changed at midday and that that swell was the worst that section only rarely ever got. Shame it was the day we visited.
Not to be put off we had a good night's sleep and set off north towards yesterday's destination. The sea was as flat as pancake all day and the sun shone. Beautiful and totally chilled out. Still both tired we decided to go back to Anchorage for the night and then paddle back to our launch pint on day three. The Mad Mile could well have been on another planet on our return and we were amazed at how quickly we paddled through that section. So, would we do it again. Ask Greg!
(The pictures on Picasa are from the times when the sea was calm as 1. the new camera is not waterproof and 2. if it gets a bit rocky you need 2 hands to steady yourself).
No of nights camping = 29
www.picasaweb.google.com/lizzypatkay
A freedom rental for three days, we persuaded them to give us a kayak each instead of a double, which would only lead to domestic strife. We were given a full briefing by the staff and supplied with safety equipment (pump, flare) and a map of the coast line. We packed our tent, food and spare, dry clothes on the hatches. Yippee. - Expeditioning in a boat. The forecast looked good, but we were told to expect it to be a bit choppy in a section called the "Mad Mile". Launching at Marahau we headed northwards to camp at Mosquito Bay. So far so good, we lunched on a sandy beach and then headed for the Mad Mile. Choppy! Flippin swell of 2-3 metres. Bigger than anything I'd ever paddled in before. We decided to turn around (a problem in itself as you don't want to get caught side on)and go back to safer waters for a think. A conversation then followed with a guy who had just emerged out of the Mad Mile. We asked how long the section of swell lasted, did it get worse etc. He said, you seem aware of the situation by your questions, if you have the stamina to do it go for it. So we did. 50 minutes later we emerged at Anchorage Bay, exhausted and drained. We were not "paddling fit" and we simply knackered. I can still remember feeling totally s**t scared sitting in my little boat at the bottom of those troughs with a three metre wall of water above me. We found out later that the forecast had been changed at midday and that that swell was the worst that section only rarely ever got. Shame it was the day we visited.
Not to be put off we had a good night's sleep and set off north towards yesterday's destination. The sea was as flat as pancake all day and the sun shone. Beautiful and totally chilled out. Still both tired we decided to go back to Anchorage for the night and then paddle back to our launch pint on day three. The Mad Mile could well have been on another planet on our return and we were amazed at how quickly we paddled through that section. So, would we do it again. Ask Greg!
(The pictures on Picasa are from the times when the sea was calm as 1. the new camera is not waterproof and 2. if it gets a bit rocky you need 2 hands to steady yourself).
No of nights camping = 29
www.picasaweb.google.com/lizzypatkay
Hi guys. Brilliant to hear from you. Glad you both are back in good health. Wow what a month or so you've had; scary swell! Didn't realise you where going to buy a car - how cool to be doing a proper road trip and clearly you're making the most of it. Yes Wanaka would be great place to live. All the best for continuing adventures and experiences. Cheers Neal
ReplyDeleteAbel Tasman….mad mile madder than expected?! I have a feeling those pesky freedom rental guys send you out whatever the weather. The same happened to us just 2 months before. We were told day three would ‘go to custard’ but no explanation forth-coming when asked. What they really meant was epic swell that even the full-on speed boat had problems getting through. Well done on getting through it and out the other side, and in pretty good shape considering! Happy travels P&N
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