Cross Creek Canyon, Haast Pass.

Jethro met us at Cameron flat then drove with us to Cross Creek on a gorgeously clear and warm day.

Only 45mins of easy bush bashing saw us at the suit up point and eager to get into the water. The first pitch was the longest and transitioned us from open stream to shallow but confined canyon.

Ira on the first pitch into the canyon

Jethro leads on through the first section

The first part of cross was mostly short rappels and downclimbs into lovely carved pot holes. In the middle we enjoyed a snack in the sun at the open lunch spot before beginning the second section. Jump after slide after jump ensued, through some amazing pools and even a small arch!

Lots of little raps and downclimbs in the first section

Natural anchors in Cross

The fun begins with an 8m jump in the second section.

A 12m rap that can be jumped by those with strong legs and committment.

Great views out to Haast Mountains

One of many small jumps in lower Cross.

The final section was a little more walking and downclimbing, culminating with two great jumps and a cold can of coke at the exit. (Which made the strenous 60m exit hike bareable..)

Cross creek was such a fun and beautiful canyon!

Not quite Emerald Canyon

Jethro and Karine take off up the ridge

Ira and I had arranged a day's canyoning with Jethro, Alain and Karine. It'd snowed and rained hard the previous day, so we hoped to find reasonable water levels in the smallest catchment canyon they knew.

Jethro got permission from the farmer for us to access the canyon via a rather steep and very direct grassy ridge. We entered into the bush a little high and had a handful of smaller rappels and scrambling before reaching the start.

Ira suited up and ready to begin

First of our access raps

There was too much water, which we spent most of our time trying to avoid. Thus we were 'bouldering in wetsuits with consequences' and not really canyoning.

Our new sport 'Wetsuit tramping'.. (not likely to catch on)

Alain said that we could continue downcanyon, but the rest of the group weren't really motivated for a high water trip, so we bailed up the access route and back to Wanaka.

Just too much water :(

Ira and I cruised out that night to Cameron's flat campground, just south of Haast Pass to enjoy a warm clear evening with half of the sandfly population of the southern alps...