Our gear is staged and ready for our helicopter trip from the Taihape-Napier Highway Bridge.  You can see the Taihape-Napier Highway coming down to the river left center of the photo.  The bridge, the first across the Rangitikei River, is in the tree line center of the photo.  The Taihape-Napier Highway is also known as the "Gentle Annie" and is part of the Inland Patea Heritage Trail, the path based on a historic Maori track.  In the 15th century one of the most famous Maori leaders Tamatea Pokai Whenui (Tamatea means he who explored the land) arrived in NZ on the Takitumu canoe and traveled the trail with his son Kanungunu. Many of the place names near the trail are called after the animals he carried in his basket.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Our helicopter pilot, Brian, decided it would be faster and more fuel efficient to make three trips for 10 people with gear piled in the passenger compartment  rather than sling the gear in a cargo net, so we loaded up to the gills.  This is the first flight, about 20 minutes one way.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Our first aerial view of the Rangitikei River and the Kaimanawa Mountain Range.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Ruth and Pam setting up the first campsite for cooking dinner.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

The Rangitikei is one of the clearest rivers I have ever seen, which makes wading potentially dangerous.  Water that looks only 2 feet deep could easily be 4 feet or more.  Clear water also makes for spooky trout, which means nymphs fished upstream and in more turbulent water.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Pam trying her spinning gear on the Rangitikei River trout.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Larry fishing in the Rangitikei River for rainbows.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Bill from Lower Hutt, New Zealand, is the master trout fisherman, lands the first nice rainbow which became part of the dinner menu.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Larry showing off a nice rainbow trout from the Rangitikei River.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Preparing the rafts and other boats for our first day floating the river.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Loading the gear for our first day on the river.  The fleet consisted of two Incept rafts, a Raft Pro pontoon cataraft, two Water Strider kickboats and Matt's kayak playboat.  From left to right, Pam, Roger, Geoff, Larry and Matt.  Incept Marine designs and builds world class whitewater rafts and other inflatable boats in Taihape, New Zealand.  Check out www.incept.co.nz
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

The Rangitikei River was all ours for over a week.  We never saw another boat on the river in over 60km.  The only other people we saw were two men and a lad who were helicoptered in to our second campsite to do some deer hunting.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Ruth and Roger loading the gear on their Incept raft appropriately christened  "Tickled Pink".
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Pam at our New Year's Eve campsite.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Pam and Ruth moving the gear.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Mr. Water Strider himself, Montana fly fishing expert Dave Inks.  Learn more about Dave at www.waterstrider.com
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Making preparations for New Year's Eve dinner and gala celebration complete with harmonica music and party poppers.  From left to right Roger, Matt, Larry, Ruth and John in the easy chair.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

Ruth and Roger discuss gear positioning to load the raft.  Dave Ink's and Ron's Water Striders are in the foreground.  As far as we know this is the first time the headwaters of the Rangitikei have been navigated by Water Striders.
Photos of New Zealand by Ron Castle

See more pictures of New Zealand and the Rangitikei River adventure here in
Part 2.