Packrafting Paradise - PRANZ South Otago regional meet - 9th/10th November 2024

Spring has sprung and its time to kick off the summer of packrafting, dust off the gear and get out on the water and what better place to do it than Paradise.

The plan is to run a two tier program with an easier river and a more challenging river each day.

Saturday 9th - Meeting at 0930 at the Mrs Woolly's General Store (64 Oban St, Glenorchy) for a briefing and gear check before dividing into two groups. The easy river would be heading up though Paradise to the Dart. Classic packrafting trip, hike in, paddle out. The more challenging day trip would be the Routeburn. Probably starting near Weka flats with grade 2 and then one grade 3 gorge (can be portaged). The idea is that this is a good place to vet paddlers who think they are paddling at a grade 3 level and are interested in the Greenstone on Sunday.

Overnight we will stay at the Kinloch DOC camping ground. This is a pretty basic campground in a beautiful spot. You will need all of your own camping and cooking gear. Please make your own reservations on the DOC website.

Sunday 10th - This would see us change focus to the Greenstone/Caples. Easy riders would cruise up the Caples for a stunning day out. The more capable paddlers are planning on going into the first flat of the Greenstone. The Greenstone is a more committing trip with a number of grade three rapids, the groups will be selected on the weekend based on skill and suitability.

All paddlers on this trip need to be self supported in terms of gear, this includes whitewater appropriate PFD and helmets. Anyone showing up without proper safety gear will not be able to paddle. These rivers all require an element of walking so packrafters must have their gear packed for a carry. This trip is not suitable for complete beginners.

All paddlers will need to be self supported for camping and food requirements.