Kayaking Adventure pure

Kayaking Adventure pure


The last week of the season and I got nothing to work. So what's the point about sitting around doing nothing. Off I went with my Kayak towards Te Anau to kayak the lake. Into the South Fjord of the Lake Te Anau and hike along a small stream into the Fjordland Valleys. So the plan....

When I left Wanaka it was perfectly blue sky; nice and warm. As further I drove towards Te Anau as darker it went. In the Te Anau i-Site the forecast wasn't that promising anymore. The next day should be fine, the day after rain and clouds with strong winds developing in the late afternoon and thunderstorms on the next day. brrrr not the best forecast. But anyway, no risk no fun. Lets mess with nature and be back in two day instead of 3 or 4 days.
The next morning was fine and it took me 1h to cross the lake and enter the Fjord. Passing steep cliffs with native forest. Snow covered mountains, water falls and a lite wind from the back. Can't be better. 26km of paddeling and I reached a nice little beach nearly at the end of the Fjord. A view to the Glacier... stunning.... but.... walking along the beach I had my dinner. Sitting down means be eaten by sandflys. Little Bastards.
The following morning was still fine and I wanted to see the end of the Fjord. So I paddled another 6km into the lovely Fjord to have breakfast on the boat rather than on the beach with the sandflys. The wind picked up and the sky darkened. The forecast for the incoming front from the west. Passing my nightspot I paddled home wards. Once again the wind from the back I made a good speed. At Lunchtime the waves raised to a size where I could surf on them. Cool doppel speed. Which was good. Some mountains have been already eaten by the clouds. Then suddenly after my lunch brake the horror shock. cold water every where. upside down in the kayak. A wave pushed me over when I've been a second not focused. It took me roughly 20 minutes to pump the boat empty and enter it. Back at the beach I was shacking the hole body. I lost my GPS while climbing in the security string ripped out and my lather hat swam away. Swimming in thick hiking boots, Goere Tex and thick trousers and pullover is no fun. Shocked and frozen I faced my fears and went on.
Still the dark clouds in the back, I reached the open sea. reorganized my Kayak. Mobile out and switched on. All unnecessary stuff into the boat and once more over the open lake. 20 Minutes later another front from the north hit my kayak on left side. Not nice. waves with white tops all over and I was dancing in the little boat. When it finally started to rain I reached the safe coastline just a couple of hundred meters from my car. Puhh, scary, difficult, dangerous.
Spights Summit, the beer brand is right with their advertisement 'Don't mess with nature.'