Robinson Ck Two

It had rained during the evening, so we were a little concerned about the water levels for todays planned trip to Robinson Creek. As we drove north towards Haast Pass, the sky was rather grey and the occaisonal shower passed through. I was a little loath to call off the days canyoning, but also not that keen to take through a couple of beginners with marginal neoprene in marginal conditions.

I hmmed and haa'd for a while before Jodi suggested that Cedric and I do a quick lap of the canyon whilst her and Mack enjoyed a bit of Coffee Culture at Makarora.

Not needing encouragement, Frenchy and I got ready and dissapeared up the hill. Giving ourselves 2.5hrs round trip before expecting pickup, I figured we'd be fine moving quickly and efficiently through a canyon I'd done before.

First drop, with a little more water than last time.

About to get the rope stuck...

But today, the water was quite a bit higher than the first time I'd been through. On the second rappel, I had to have a couple of goes at breaking out of an eddy which had collected me. A little downstream, we stuck the rope on a short downscramble. Cedric climbed back up to free it and we continued on.

Allez Cedric!

The canyon water was a light tea colour, instead of its usual emerald glory. We'd checked the next door Wilsons creek, which was flowing low and blue, so it was a little surprising that Robinson was up (being less than 200m between canyon mouths..)

On the log jam rap before the final few beautiful pitches, we well and truely stuck our rope. The carabiner blocking single strand set up had jammed in a tree fork and no amount of pulling, z-draging or yanking would do. I had a go at ascending back up the fall line, but the amount of water was a little scary so I backed off after a few bites of the climb to think it through. Cedric had more luck climbing out around the water, using the ascenders as a self belay.

Admiring the Cavern pitch

Despite being a little worried about the big cavern drop in this water level, it proved quite straighforward and I was glad to be past the crux of the trip. We were able to warm up a little pulling the rope and enjoying the cavern, before making the last couple of drops in the canyon.

The sun was deliciously warm as we waited for Jodi and Mack, but the sandflies were relentless.. Another day in paradise...