To Auckland and Beyond!

I´ve been pretty lazy really when it comes to both taking photos, and spending time in front of a computer to bother adding to this blog. Luckily I have been ill for 3 days, which has given me the perfect opportunity to not do anything for a change, hide from the sunshine, and sit at a computer.

However by this point I´m not feeling very inspired when it comes to writing stories of our adventures.........which has never been my strong point anyway.

Needless to say we´re having a great time, and after just getting back from 10 days in Australia (I didn´t even take my camera!), we are back in Hokitika, and thinking once again about whether it´s time to look for some kind of income again, or just opt out all together!

Here are some shots from our trip to the wonderfully weird North Island of NZ. As I mentioned I´ve been lazy as hell with my camera, and havn´t taken photos of any kayaking, mountain biking, surfing or other fun stuff!

So here are a few landscape shots from the past couple of months!


Most things on the North Island seem to steam and bubble in some way. The earths crust here is built to the usual dodgy Kiwi building standards, so all the heat from the centre of the earth keeps escaping!



Even the mountains spit out smoke! Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Mt. Ngauruhoe.....another active Volcano!

Hillevi on part of our long 5 day trek done in 3 days with the Volcano Mt. Ruapehu in the background.

Sunset over Mt. Raupehu

The Emerald lakes.

After catching up with friends in Taupo and Rotorua for 2 weeks, we hit the road ´to Auckland and beyond!`. Heading up to the far Northern tip of the North Island we came to 90 Mile Beach. A stretch of about 100km of official NZ Highway (only at low tide!) with a speed limit of 100km/h.

This led to about 2 days of entertainment and donuts blasting up and down the sand.

Romantic sunset shot!

Hillevi washes up after breakfast on the highway.

To get to and from the beach the ´Highway` follows (actually is in the middle of) a river for about 10km. Once again the speed limit is 100km/h.

We then headed back down south to Hokitika, working our way along the coast line!

South Island NZ

It was quite hard to drag ourselves away from the paradise that is Hokitika, but thinking we should see what else NZ has to offer we finally hit the road and headed south through the Glaciers towards Queenstown.

Finally after only 7 weeks of waiting, our van and home was finally fitted with it´s new motor and road worth again......... warranties are wonderful things!


Our new home is only 12 years old and we have just added this extension of a covered terrace area with a wonderful view!

Lake Moke, our home just outside Queenstown for a week.

Queenstown is a great wee spot where you can do just about everything from jumping off cliffs to drinking coffee! We opted for the cheaper options disappearing into the mountains with some food and a tent for a few days.

Hillevi on the Steel Creek Alpine Crossing between the Caples and Greenstone vallies.

Hillevi washing in a mountain stream.

What can I say! The Majority of the walk was through a hugely varying forest with limited views. So I didn´t have much choice but to photograph trees! I´m sure the ents live around here somewhere!












After getting our fill tramping, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, Frisbee Golfing and Job Hunting in Queentown, we headed on South to NZ´s Southern most island, Stewart Island. Ever original with names, we landed in the only town Oban, where despite only having 22km of roads, and 380 inhabitants, they still have 300 cars! Kiwi´s just love driving!



The local in Oban are well know for being friendly and welcoming!?!



Hillevi takes a break at the local telephone tree for a break, and tries to decide whether to order a taxi just for the hell of it!



Again we were stuck in the Forest all day as part of our 3 day trek, so when we finally got to an opening I couldn´t resist getting a cliche shot of a pier.




Back from the island we worked our way through the Catlins towards Dunedin. Not sure what to do, we randomly stopped for the night in Curio bay, and not only being treated to a spectacular sunset, we found the place full of dolphins, seals and penguins!

First thing the next morning we headed out for a swim in a sheltered area of the bay, and spent a freezing half hour bodysurfing with about 15 dolphins......unfortunately we were too occupied to take any photos, so you´ll just have to believe me!


All throught the Catlins we found deserted beaches to set up home on.

Wine & Whales

After 10 days of living in a tent the Girls were ready for a bit of luxury. On the way back down the drop Mika in Christchurch we passed through Marlborough, and took the opportunity to stay at some Vinyards, and test the local produce! I have learnt a lot, and feel confident the I can now tell the difference between a white and a red wine.....but only if I´m allowed to look!

The Isabel Vinyard, where we stayed the night.

Gourmet food and wine, in the middle of the vines!

We made a final stop in Kaikoura before dropping Mika off, so the girls could get the first flight in Helicopter, as we flew out to observe the local wonder of a large sperm whale population. Hillevi being Norwegian was licking her lips at sighting this one, but was informed that unfortunately whaling is no longer permitted in NZ.

New Year and Abel Tasmen

Just after Christmas Hillevi arrived in NZ for the start of her adventure. Mika, our friend from Oslo also joined us for a 2 week holiday. We headed up the the North of the South Island, and the Golden Bay area for New year, and then entered the Abel Tasmen National park for 5 days of tramping.

The trek took us through thick jungle, and gave us access to numerous deserted beaches in a complete paradise.

Mika relaxes with a ´One Square Meal´for lunch, on yet another perfect beach.

Hillevi relaxing with a book at our private beach for the night.

Hillevi.

The sunset seen from the door of our tent!

Tonga Island seal colony.

Home for the night. More perfect beaches!!!!

Everything grows bigger and better over here. These arn´t trees.....they´re ferns! And they can reach over 10 metres in height!

A giant fern, which NZ is famous for.

We forgot a deck of cards. For the nights entertainment we Mika leads us in a matrix style long jump competition.

Family day on the Hoki River

The kayaking population in Hokitika seems to have exploded in the past couple of years, as a made breeding frenzy has taking grip on the paddling population. Dave takes his turn a babysitting while Heather spends the day Heli boating on the Hokitika River. We took both Heathers and Coopers family up for a day rafting through the spectacular Hokitika gorge.

JJ shows us that he is a real natural when it comes to children.

Pete and Karren, who have been putting me up for the past few weeks at Pete´s Hokitika Palace. The only rules are that he has to win at the poker table.......although that doesn´t seem to take much effort!

Dave and Sussie.

Heather and Sussie.

Hamish and Joan climb on board with Dando to head up the river.

Cooper guides the crew through the gorge.

Shortly before Karren and Hamish abandoned ship. If you look closely you can see the fear in their eyes!

Fishing off the Hoki Trench

I caught a fish THIS BIG! No honestly I did!!!!

Dave Kwant organised a boat for the day to head out for some deep sea fishing off the Hoki trench. We were fishing at about a depth of 200m, and the first catch of the day was this monster from the deep, a Ling Cod. It tastes better than it looks!!!!




I was really proud of myself for hooking such a catch, but the Hamish had to put me to shame by pulling out a shark a couple of minutes later!






All in all it was a pretty successful day. Between 8 of us we pulled in 21 Grupper, 11 Trumpeter, 3 sharks and about 40 perch. We came hope with more than 70kg of fillets, and the freezers around Hokitka are still overflowing with fish.

Small but tasty! Lisa with a perch.

It was an epic job getting all the fish filleted and skined on the 2 hours cruise back in to Greymouth harbour......luckily the crew took care of all the hard work.

December In Hokitika

I´ve been a bit lazy about getting the camera out recently! After a smooth move to the Southern Hemisphere I set up base at Pete´s place in Hoki for December. Located on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the mountainous weather beaten coastline make for a perfect location for all kinds of play.

Hoki church seen from the beach.

Hoki beach

Pile of drift wood washed up on the beach

One of the highlights of the coast is the abudance of rivers, and the afordability of helicopters to access these relatively remote drainages. We been spending a good amount of times flying around in Dando´s lawnmower sized chopper!

Bruce Dando, the best lawnmower pilot on the coast

The exit drop to the Upper Toaroha Gorge

Brendan Bayly on the exit to Billiards, Aruhura River.

Being put to shame by a shredder!

Brendan Bayly, on the exit drop to the Toaroha River.

Toaroha Gorge.

Meltdown in Norway

Ric Moxon, Nose Breaker

With this years huge snow pack, and record temperatures it has been a stunning summer in Norway.

Here are a couple of shots from the past month on the road.

Matt Tidy, Nose Breaker

Nærøyfjord

Matt Tidy and Ric Moxon inspecting the double drop
on Teigdalelva at low water.

Matt Tidy, Money Drop

Ric Moxon, Money Drop





The fantastic view over Nærøyfjord at the take out
of Undredalselva.

Telemark: Stairway from heaven

Sam Sutton on Husevollelva

It´s the time of year that I get back home to find paddlers sat on my doorstep! This week it was the 2 young kiwis Sam Sutton and Josh Neilson, sat in their car waiting at midnight.

I took them in for the night and then sent them on their way to Telemark, which is working like a dream this year due to a record snow pack.

I caught up with them later that weekend to find them in their element. With limited fear and a great deal of talent they had been knocking off some of the biggest runs in the area at pretty chunky levels.

On Sunday we headed over to Husevollevla, (aka Project 2000), which Sam showed us his skills on, and aptly named "the stairway from heaven". Possibly the steepest creeks in Norway, it offers continues waterfalls one after another.

Walking into the Mår

Tim Star, Husevollelva

Tim Star, Husevollelva

Walking to the river though a classic Telemark meadow.

Sam Sutton, Husevollelva.

PROJECT OSLO: Source to sea first descent

Lars-Georg Paulsen at the weir in Nydalen

We finally managed to complete Akerselva, from its source in Maridalsvannet (Oslo´s drinking water supply), down to Oslo Fjord. In the process we created a media frenzy, with a local TV crew and journalists showing incredible interest in what was a dumb stunt!

Ironically after traveling the world to the most obscure places, the most interest we have ever got from serious media, is by paddling a ditch 5 minutes from my flat!

We are now major TV stars in our own minds. The short clip from Oslo TV can be viewed at here.

The river is about 7km long, and between numerous dirty weirs, and the odd junkies needles, there is some surprisingly good paddling at high water. The best section is in the Gruneløkka, a trendy young district, with a couple of opportunities for a beer on the way down.

Mexican Mich (the only person I have met who can use the word
´gringo´in a serious conversation!). Outside Gruneløkka Student house.

Classic Corsica

The classic bedrock  Amphitheatre, Travo River

With fingers crossed we headed out to Corsica, and were lucky to hit the notoriously fickle water levels at perfect flows. 

I was joined by Matt Tidy, ´The Boy´Jake Holland, and the Italian paddler X, Daniele Tira.

It proved to be a chilled mission on a stunning Island, cruising down several of the numerous bedrock classics, that have made Corsica famous as the birthplace of steep creeking.

Letting the Italians do the cooking as we wait for the ferry.

Jake Holland exiting the Amphitheatre on the Travo River.

Matt Tidy drops the 10m fall on the Rizzanese River.

We need a probe! Send in ´The Boy´!

Jake Holland, Rizzanese River.

The ancient town of  Corte.

Daniele Tira picks his way through a bolder garden on the Vecchio River.

Matt Tidy, Vecchio River.

Jake Holland, Travo River.

The classic bedrock valley of the Travo River.

PROJECT OSLO: A taste of city life

After getting a taste for the city life last weekend, we couldn´t resist exploring more of what Oslo has to offer.

I made a few calls last week, and found out Lars-Georg had also been scouting out other falls within the city centre. We went down to a forgotten part of the city, at the back of several old factory buildings, where the river is completely hidden.

Urban Kayaking Oslo

Well what can I say! I was stuck in the city this weekend painting my girlfriends bathroom. Needless to say I got the itch to do something while the paint dried! Luckily Tor-Håkon Inderberg in now in Oslo, and easily persuadable. 

We jumped in the van and headed to Akerselve which runs right through the centre of Oslo, and as far as we know, hasn´t been paddled! 

Between some messy rapids we found this sweet drop in the old industrial area which is now the new Oslo school of art, about 5 minutes from Oslo centre!

Lyngen

We just got back from 10 days ski touring in the far North of Norway. We lucked out with perfect snow conditions, and fantastic weather on the pretty unpredictable west coast! We were also treated to a great show of Northern lights in the evenings.

To see more images visit my main page: www.paclandphoto.com



We received a full range of next years ´lofoten´range from Norrøna to get some shots. It´s amazing how much you can fit inside a one piece ski suit!

Climbing Kavringtinden

Storgalten

A Norwegian beach holiday! Snow right down to seas level. We used a small fishing boat to cross the fjord and access the mountains.

Climbing in the hot -10 sun, with a clear view down over 1000m to the fjord.

The long walk to into the mountains.

Perfect powder !

Hillevi show´s us what it means to be a Norwegian who CAN`T ski!

Colin and Ra cruise down through the powder into the sunset.

The view out of the kitchen window. The skies came to life at night.

India 2007 Exhibition

For a full exhibition from our latest missions, please visit my main web page:

http://www.paclandphoto.com

Arunachal Pradesh

Al Ellard points out why we drove so far!

After the long drive accross India and Nepal, we finally arrived in Arunachal Pradesh with the full team. Shalabh Galhaut(Ind), Sam Hughes(UK), Andy Phillips(UK), Al Ellard(UK), Mike Abbott(NZ), Zak Shaw(NZ) and our driver Sangrup.

Not just the rivers wer class 5.

We were 7 people crammed in the back of a truck. This didn´t stop us picking
up hitches as there is not much traffic round these parts, and we could get beta from them.

A young monk at the Tawang Monastery.

After a few hards days scouting we managed to pull off 3 hard days of tough paddling on the Tawang Chu, finishing at the border of Bhutan.

After this we spent a couple of days scouting the Nyamjang, but opted only to paddle for a day and spend our time and energy on more promising projects.

The full team spent an incredible 4 days working our way down the Tenga, Bichom and Kameng Rivers. In the 4 days we went from low volume creeks in the mountains, and gained water rapidly as we descended, finishing in the large volume Kameng, on the planes.

With a bit of time on our hands me, Andy and Al went on our first all English mission for a while. After failing to find good access to the Kamla we spent 3 days on classic white water on the Dirang river.

To view the full gallery of image visit: www.paclandphoto.com

Andy Phillips tries to load his boat with 4 days kit, Tawang Chu.

Andy Phillips, Tawang Chu.

Mike Abbott, Tawang Chu.

Allen Ellard portages through the steep jungle, Tawang Chu.

Andy Phillips and Mike Abbot discover the problems of drying
by the fire in a drysuit. We carried minimal kit in our boats
so had no change of cloths in the evenings.

Our makeshift riverside accommodation.

Zak Shaw on the long carry out of the Tawang Chu. At this point the river crossed the
border into Bhutan, and we were unable to continue.

The ancient Stupa at Zimitang, on the Nyam Jang Chu.

A makeshift kitchen in a Shrine where we found shelter for the night.

We got a warm welcome in the Dirang Valley!

Al introduces the local witch doctor to some modern technology.

An Apontani woman in the market at Ziro.
The wooden plate in here nose, and facial tattoos
are to prevent other tribes stealing women.

Mike Abbot and Al Ellard on the Nyam Jang Chu.

Zak Shaw on the Njam Jang Chu.



To view the full gallery of image visit: www.paclandphoto.com

The first descent of the Tawang Chu

I'm having major issues with the internet conection right now, and can't download further images. For a written report of our trip so far, visit www.riverkore.com

The road from Kathmandu

After leaving Kathmandu we had 7 days driving, crambed in the back of the truck, to get to our goal, Arunachal Pradesh.

People fight for place on the roof of a local bus.

A local woman in the border town in Nepal.

An indian man watches us as we set up camp on the side of a busy road.

One of the indian made Tata trucks, which fill the busy roads.

Working elephants enjoy a luch break.

The team are woken by locals, fascinated by the strange aliens.

Andy and Mike fight for shoulder room in the back of our truck.

Not just the rivers are class 5!

Mike tries to get a fire started to cook our breakfast, after a night in a tin hut.

Mission 2, Arunachal Pradesh

On the 18th we will set off for another long drive, to get the 1500km on bad roads to Arunachal Pradesh, in the far North East of India. This is a region set aside from the main bulk of India, sandwiched between Bhutan, Bangladesh and China. Arunanchal has only opened up for travelers in the past few years, and with only short term permits available, the area is still largely unexplored. Not much travel information is available about this large province of India, and the Lonley Planet guidebook only dedicates a single page to it.







There is the most concentrated number of rivers anywhere in India in Arunachal Pradesh, and it is believed there is enough Hydro-power potential to power the whole of india. This of course means there are already plans to Dam many of the drainages, so time is short for exploration here.

Our team for this trip will be Sam Hughes (UK), Zak Shaw (NZ), Shalabh Gahaut (India), Mikey Abbot (NZ), Al Ellard (UK) and Andy Phillips (UK).

Uttaranchal mission completed

JJ shows us his North Carolina style by paddling as close to a log jam as possible.

Our team has just arrived in Kathmandu (Nepal), for what is the end of our first leg of the trip.

Since being detained we have managed to cover some good ground and knock of some more classics as we have headed east. This time we put in some extra effort to make friends with the police in the region before hitting the rivers!

We spent some time exploring the Pinda and Sarju drainages, but our main achievments have been to paddle what we believe to be the first descent of the Eastern Dhauli Ganga. This is one of the major tributaries of the Maha Kali, (which forms the border between India and Nepal).

Zak Shaw, Dhauli Ganga

The Dhauli proved intense from the word go, running at aproximately 30 cummecs and a continuous gradient of about 60m/km. Big, fast rapids lead relentlessly into one another, often forcing the team to run large sections of difficult water blind. We managed to complete an 8km section from the road head to the dam, but unfortunately as we were running out of time did not have the possiblity to trek above the road head the explore the upper river.

Ben Jackson, Dhauli Ganga

With only one day remaining we ran a known classic section of the Ghali Ganga (another tributary to the Kali), before making the long 3 day drive to Kathmandu.

We now have 4 days in Nepal to eat as much as we can at the rodeo event, before we start on our second leg of the trip in Arunachal Pradesh.

The road is long as slow progress. A road crew work to clear a landslide.

A local man in Pitthoragh.

Shalabh and Zak try to get some information from the locals on the Pindar.

Dhauli Ganga

JJ, Ghali Ganga

A buzz of activity cooking dinner out of the back of the truck.

The most important part of the trip. Sweet milky tea.

Zak cooks up porrige on one of the tea house's stoves.