The line may have gone free without any bolts. I tried the insecure start moves again. If I blew the delicate mantle I’d slam into the ledge below, grate over the slab and factor two straight on to the belay. My belayer grumbled quietly as my legs shook. Out came the drill and holding it … More Modern Masculinity
I don’t think I ever really believed I would paddle the Franklin in the summer of 2014/2015. Sure, we talked about it, after our successful Snowy River trip. Sure, I bought the guidebook. But I just thought it was something nice I should have on the shelf. The logistics…the cost…the difficulty…the weather. Too much to … More Kayaking The Franklin Part 1: Prelude
So we set off on the boisterous and bankfull Franklin, on the afternoon of day 2. The front had passed, leaving glorious sunny weather. I knew this would continue for several days as a high pressure ridge now lay over the island. Anasthesia Ravine Right from the start it was clear this water was definitely … More Kayaking The Franklin Part 2: The Upper Franklin
With the knowledge that the major difficulties were over, and that we were now well ahead of the schedule set by Jiri’s 2012 party, we set out to make for Rock Island Bend. The gorge opened out for the first time in days at Rafters Basin, and we paddled by the flat banks on wide … More Kayaking The Franklin Part 3: The Lower Franklin
The Gordon River The Gordon River is also extremely beautiful, and different in character again from the lower Franklin. Large and gentle, it moves slowly between hills overflowing in astonishing green forest. Despite being the official “end” of the trip, St John’s Falls is still a very, very long way from the nearest flushing toilet, … More Kayaking The Franklin Part 4: The Return
Aaaaah Bell Creek, the old nemesis, the canyon trip that just never seemed to happen. Just mentioning the name seemed to conjure bad weather forecasts and obstacles. I remember at least two planned trips which were cancelled before they left Sydney, and a third attempt with Steve Hare that actually departed, but ended up with … More For Whom The Bell Tolls: traversing Bell Creek complete in a day
Huck & Dyno 