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John Booth, managing director of
www.incept.co.nz
decided to travel the Rangitikei River this year on a Raft Pro pontoon
cataraft. Raft Pro is a Boise, Idaho USA based company.
Incept manufactures Raft Pro's tubes in New Zealand. It is
believed that this is the first time the upper reaches of the Rangitikei
have been navigated by a cataraft.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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John's cataraft loaded and ready for action.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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John and the Raft Pro cataraft on the Rangitikei River.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
Geoff and Ruth loading their raft and checking
the cargo net. Attention to detail regarding loading and
binding is important. We flipped two rafts on the trip.
Actually, it was the same raft that flipped twice.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
Ruth, Geoff and Roger are preparing their raft for travel.
Larry and Pam are loading their raft in the background. Ron
and Dave's Water Striders are loaded with 80 liter dry bags and
fishing gear.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
Roger and crew lead
the way on the Rangitikei River this morning.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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The
scenery along the river and the deep canyons formed in the Kaimanawa
Range are spectacular.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Pam, Larry and John running the whitewater.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Roger (aka flag face), Geoff and Ruth enjoying the fast water.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Pam, Bill and Larry ready to run the rapid.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Geoff, Roger and Ruth are following.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Larry, Pam and Bill heading into shore for a lunch break.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Ron in his rafting attire including a Canadian Tilley hat under his
helmet. The NZ sun this time of year at mid day will give you
a nice burn after 10 minutes of exposure.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Bill and Pam are ready for lunch.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Geoff and Ruth were in charge of the food for the trip and we ate
very well. Note the fresh lettuce for sandwiches. No
freeze dried meals for this crew.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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A
leisurely lunch break on the Rangitikei River.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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Pam and Ruth do some exploration of a nearby tributary and camp
site.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
One of New Zealand's 150 plus varieties of ferns.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
Bill gets a quick nap in the shade.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
After lunch we are back on the river enjoying the ever changing
views of the Kaimanawa Range.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
A rock garden in the river creates some challenging technical water
and we cannot see the end of the rapid so we get out to scout.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
Scouting the Rangitikei rapids.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
Larry and Dave discuss the safest course.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle
We
decided to walk the boats down the first part of the chute river
left due to an obstructing boulder with a big current upsurge and
then hop in and ride the rest of the rapid. This is Ron making
the run in his Water Strider.
New Zealand Photo Images by Dave Inks
We successfully navigate this one with a partial portage.
New Zealand Photo Images by Ron Castle |
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See
more pictures of New Zealand and the Rangitikei River adventure here
in
Part
3. |
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Top |
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