Matukituki Muster

Matukituki Muster – Friday 21st November - Sunday 2rd November

Sample the scenic and whitewater delights of the Matukituki River in the Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park. Spend the night at Tititea Lodge, the original homestead of Matukituki Station. Paddlers should have some prior experience on Class II whitewater. Families with whitewater experience are welcome.

Think of this event as a social getaway to a backcountry hut with some fellow packrafters, with some paddling as an added bonus!

Your gear can be shuttles in so you can bring all the food and drink and luxuries you like! Decadent!

(Optional) Friday evening - option to head in to the lodge for Friday evening for social night and plan weekend trips.

Getting to Tititea Lodge. This involves a river crossing (knee to mid thigh deep in normal flows), and then a 1500m walk on a flat farm road to the lodge. Gear (and people if needed) can be shuttled in on the tractor trailer. ** Tractor shuttle will depart from Cameron Flat at 1800 on Friday.

The lodge is set up backpacker style with 6 berth bunkrooms, and a fully outfitted kitchen (gas hobs). There is space for camping if you prefer to be in a tent or snore loudly. (Bunkrooms and Camping are the same cost). Showers available if the wetback has been running. Generator provides power in evening. There is some mobile reception (and we will have InReach for critical communications).

Saturday - (probable trip) - West Matukituki

**Saturday arrivals can meet at Raspberry Flat carpark at 0900.

Main run - Walk up to Aspiring Hut (2-2.5 hours, easy track) and paddle the class I/II stretch of the West Matukituki back to the Rob Roy swing bridge (which most will portage).

Development/Capable paddlers - For those with the confidence to do so we can paddle some of the lower swing bridge rapids as an add on to the main run. A nice class III boulder garden just above the carpark is a good option for paddlers wanting some experience running busier whitewater. Can be lapped.

If time, an optional easy paddle from Raspberry Creek carpark to Cameron Flat can be done if people want more time on water. 

** Tractor Shuttle will go from Cameron Flat to the lodge after the days paddling, if required.

Sunday - (probable trip) East Matukituki River
After early breakfast we leave for a paddle on the East Matukituki. It is a 3 hour walk up through beech forest on a good track. The paddling starts from Junction Flat (6km from lodge). This section is at most class II, with one easily portaged rapid that is a little harder in some flows. It is a very scenic run. 

Paddlers who wish not to walk all the way to Junction Flat can meet the group at a lower put on spot. We will take out adjacent to the lodge, collect our belongings and walk back to the carpark and disperse from there.

Equipment and Personal Gear
 Whitewater PFD and helmet (no biking or climbing helmets please) – can be supplied on request if needed
 Drysuit or Wetsuit - water can be cold in spring
 Packraft, paddle, inflation bag etc - Packed up for carrying on a walk in 

 Sleeping bag and pillowcase - lodge has mattresses and pillows
 Food and drinks - event is not catered. However, full kitchen is available to use with gas hobs, pots, crockery, cutlery.

Contingency plans
The Matukituki River is flow dependent. If it is running too high (unlikely) then there are options to go to back Wānaka to paddle the Hawea instead.

Accommodation costs will be refunded.