 | Inaugral Trips to Taumarunui and BackThere can only ever be one first trip and this was it.
The first big boat trip to Taumarunui and back to Wanganui since 1928. 18 June 2010 > 24 June 2010
There was a lot of rain a week ago so we depart with falling water levels and rain is expected. All water levels quoted are at Pipiriki and taken from the Horizons website. Friday 18 June 2010 … Wanganui to Ranana ... 72 km The water level is 2.2 metres and falling 0630 – Assemble to get all our gear and food onboard 0700 – TV news and newspaper reporters conduct interviews 0730 – Depart. It is a beautiful clear winter’s morning 0940 – We find a large canoe washed up so secure it to a tree (half an hour lost) 1000 – 1315 – Pass the Ahu ahu rapid 1530 – Arrive at Ranana Marae landing – Superb hospitality and food and a pleasant evening at the Marae
We covered 72 km in 7.5 hours of boating. Average speed about 10 km/h. The engine was not working hard, typically 1350rpm (max rpm is 1500).
Saturday 19 June 2010 … Ranana to Bridge to Nowhere Lodge ... 40 km The water level is 2.0 metres and falling 0745 – Depart Ranana 0815 – Pull a log out of a rapid just past – This log is blocking the preferred line on the return journey 1000 – Pipiriki is in sight 1010 – Brent Firmin from Spirit of the River Jet is at Pipiriki to show support 1100 – View the Drop Scene 1130 – Enter Ngaporo rapid. – We sat at the top for 5 minutes with engine at full power and sat still – We needed to winch this one so backed back down and deployed the rope 1200 – Clear of Ngaporo 1315 – Arrive at Bridge to Nowhere Lodge landing – Excellent accommodation meal and surroundings
The engine was working a little harder than yesterday, typically around 1350rpm and full noise 1500rpm in Ngaporo rapid.
Sunday 20 June 2010 … Bridge to Nowhere Lodge to Whakahoro ... 60 km The water level is 1.8 metres and the rain starts There was steady rain all night and on and off through the day. The trip was still quite pleasant despite the rain but we needed the water for tomorrow 0730 – Depart the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge 0850 – Mangapurua Landing 1140 – John Coull hut 1300 – Tamatea’s cave 1410 – The whirlpool rapid and it was swirling 1700 – Arrive at Whakahoro and the Blue Duck Lodge – Excellent accommodation meal and surroundings
The river was rising and we were pushing harder against the current. Started at 1350 rpm but by the end of the day around 1450 rpm. We picked up a couple of tourists from
Monday 21 June 2010 … Whakahoro to Taumarunui ... 60 km The water level is 4 metres and swift 0745 – Depart Whakahoro – We picked up a local farmer on the way and gave him a ride as well 1300 – Erceg’s Museum 1400 – Ohinepane 1500 – Te Marie Bridge (A dozen supporters were on the bridge) 1700 – Herlihy’s Bluff (about 50 supporters watched us in this tricky rapid) 1810 – Arrived at Cherry Grove in Taumarunui (several hundred supporters) – Maori and Mayoral reception
The engine was working hard all day at 1500 rpm and we were pushing a lot of water. The river was wide so no rapids to worry about.
Tuesday 22 June 2010 … Taumarunui to Whakahoro ... 60 km The water level is 3.8 metres and falling We had a civic reception at the council chambers at 1000 with the Mayor and councillors where we were congratulated on this historic voyage. 1200 – Depart Taumarunui (A few extra passengers onboard) 1330 – Ohinepane (Drop off a few passengers) 1600 – Arrive at Whakahoro We covered 60 km in 4 hours. Average 15 km/h. Engine 1100 > 1200 rpm Wednesday 23 June 2010 … Whakahoro to Bridge to Nowhere Lodge ... 60 km The water level is 3.2 metres and falling 0800 – Depart the Lodge 1200 – Mangapurua landing for the Bridge to Nowhere walk 1400 – Depart the landing 1430 – Arrive at the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge We covered 60 km in 4.5 hours. Average 13 km/h. Engine 1100 > 1200 rpm
Thursday 23 June 2010 … Bridge to Nowhere Lodge to Wanganui ... 112 km The water level is 2.6 metres and falling 0830 – Depart the Lodge 1230 – Pick up some reporters at Ranana 1530 – Arrive in Wanganui We covered 112 km in 7hours. Average 16 km/h. Engine 1100 > 1200 rpm  |