We believe Canyoning is the perfect outdoor activity to explore, improve and challenge yourself, while surrounded by the power of nature. In this blog article, we share our journey in Haast Pass and why canyoning in this place is one of the best in Aotearoa.
In the summer of 2020, we were currently waiting for the Department of Conservation to approve our concession and begin our journey as a brand new Canyoning company in the Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Parks. During this time we decided to take a road trip and do we love the most....wait for it....drum roll.... Canyoning!
We drove down the West Coast of the South Island, where the famous Blue Pools are found and also some of the most beautiful and playful canyons in the world, Haast Pass. We set up camp at the Makarora Campsite at the Wonderland Makarora Lodge, land of the kereru.
With relatively good weather, we were able to explore some classic canyons in the area:
Day 1 : Robinson Creek, V4.A3.II, Camille, Simon and Adrien
Day 2 : Imp Grotto V4.A3.II, Cross Creek V3 A2 II, Camille, Nicole, Mark and Adrien
Day 3 : Wilson Creek, V4.A4.IV, Camille, Renee, Patrick, Mark and Adrien
(If you are unsure what 'V4.A3.II' means, check out our blog article about the canyoning ratings and what the numbers represent).
As a canyoneer, Haast Pass is one of the most amazing areas for canyoning. The stunning lush bush with the Schist rock formations, carved by translucent and powerful water flows, gives you the sensation of living a perfect dream in paradise.
Adrien took his camera and tried to capture the beauty of this place. We'll let you be the judge of this ...
While back in the top of the South, Adrien began creating a video, when he felt there was something missing, something else that it needed. He asked his talented friend, Lana Taylor, to write a poem that captures in words what the footage was displaying.
As Aoteaora, New Zealand went into its second lockdown, Adrien spent this time editing all the footage and combining the recorded poem, along with finding the perfect music to match. Everything slowly pieced together. The final creation takes you on a journey of adventure, of tranquillity, showing the raw power of this outdoor activity that is canyoning. You can now watch this video in the link below.
There are plenty more canyons waiting for us in this area, so we'll be sure to be going back on another adventure. Maybe with you too? ;)
A single drop
by Lana Taylor
The storm clouds collect
And it all starts with a single drop
Multiplied by billions
The mountains wait
Their veins ready to catch
The translucent gift
That is water
Powerful enough to carve canyons
Lucid enough to flow playfully out to sea
No two streams are the same
This is the allure
This is our calling
We show up for the water
And the water shows us exactly what we came for
The challenge of pushing our minds and bodies
Into the world of the canyon
Where time and water meet to curate a masterpiece
We unite in the adventure of it
With our ropes and our camaraderie
We problem-solve our way down stream
And when the fear challenges us
We dig deep to overcome it
Until the fear becomes euphoria
And the euphoria becomes contagious
Bounding and plunging and scaling the features
We play
Until our spirits are elevated
Our bodies are energized
And we remember why we came…
For the Adventure.
Are you ready?
WHERE NATURE IS YOUR ADVENTURE
Video filmed and edited by Adri Paris (@adri_cam_ventures) with Poem and Voice-over written by Lana Taylor (@wildforthewild)
If you felt inspired by this article and would like to experience or learn more about canyoning, you can join us on an adventure of your own and discover the beauty of the Nelson Lakes and the Kahurangi National Parks.