South Island Aventura

If the Junior Wilhoits had need for a battle cry it would likely be; "Aventura!"  From our very first days as a married couple in Costa Rica we have been pushing our limits and facing our fears together.  Perhaps we consider it an odd form of bonding.  Thus, it's no surprise that our trip down to Queenstown featured what the area is known best for:  Adventure.  We were able get ourselves into some white water rafting on the Shotover river where we has a wonderful time floating, paddling and learning about all the gold that miners relieved the canyon of in its history.  You'll have to take our word for it, though, since we did not get any pictures.  Simply think six seater blow-up boat with helmets and life jackets with a know-it-all Aussie/Indian and the oldest white water couple you've ever seen and you will get the gist of our travel down the river.

Not ones for resting too long, it was just a few days later that we found ourselves at the Queenstown iSite looking for our next adventure.  Wading through the impressive collection of possibilities we managed to find something that was new to us and did not include any excessive plummeting through the sky (and the more concerning spring back on a giant rubber band).  Canyoning, as we learned, is the combination of the fun sport of abseiling or rappelling, depending on your preference for German or French with a canyon filled with waterfalls and pools.

An hours drive north of Queenstown found us meeting our guides for the day in the beautiful little town of Wanaka.  From there we took another 45 minute drive into the Mt. Aspiring National Park where we were off for our adventure.  Gearing up for this adventure included the following equipment:

• Wetsuit
• Wetsuit booties
• Wetsuit gloves
• Wetsuit Skullcap
• Polar Fleece Insulator
• Rash Guard Shirt
• Harness
• Well-loved shoes
• Very Stylish Helmets (glittering gold for Callie and pink for Adam...he was comfortable with it)

As you can see, this produced a very flattering look when put together.  Lest you wonder why we already look exhausted - bear in mind that we had to hike straight UP the canyon with all of our gear prior to our descent down into it.  While the trek was strenuous, it actually made it feel more like you earned your adrenaline rush.

Safety and comfort came first, of course, as the water rushing through the canyon is true alpine water (sometimes glacial).  This trip is not even run during the winter because the temperature of the water is too cold and the course too dangerous.  It was hard to imagine the water getting any colder without freezing but the wetsuit did its job and we all kept warm enough during the trip.  Callie led the way with the first and longest straight down rappel into a waiting pool.

This is a beautiful smile in a wonderful scene but does not do the situation justice.  Fortunately we also captured some video of this adventure :)

After such a performance I followed Callie down the wall quite happily

Not purely rappeling, this trip also included some thrilling slides.  The first one fell a full 10 meters!

This was one of the longest walls we got to descend.  After doing the standard rappel for the first few meters, we would turn around and slide down with our back on the wall.  

Again I followed Callie, pausing to give the camera some good cheese.

Turn about being fair play, Callie did a great job capturing my graceful side.  (In defense of Callie's stellar videography she was attempting to film while half floating half treading water in the current of the freezing waterfall).  In other words - pardon the wetsuit glove...

Once on the bottom there was a good place to jump into the pool that Callie and I both took advantage of quite readily

This time Callie followed my brave example...after one of the other adventurers, of course

This canyon hosted many dramatic views that made even the simple task of walking beautiful and adventurous.  I was more than happy to lead this part.

This next rappel included a little bit of everything.  After a bit of abseiling and sliding it turned out the rope wasn't long enough - so we ended the descent with a plummet into the awaiting pool.

The view from below looked something like this ( I would be the little pink blob at the top right covered by LOTS of water ).

Continuing down the course...

It would seem that no adventure in New Zealand is complete without a flying fox.

The final slide was called "The Corkscrew" and, just to raise the fear factor, required a head first diving approach.

Callie deemed it all to easy after my slide and showed us how a professional does it.

One final lowering via pulley and we were out of the canyon.

Once back down at base came we were treated to delicious sandwiches, juice and cookies.  This trip will definitely go down as one of my favorites of all time...at least until we next get to holler "Aventura!" at the top of our lungs.