With a new house to settle into and a container to unpack, 4x4Explorer Richard Soult was all set to stay very ‘Close to Home’ of a weekend in late May... but the call of the Mathias and Rakaia rivers proved too strong!
In mid-May, we moved into our new house in Christchurch – the first time that we have had our own solid roof over our heads since selling our last house at the end of 2018. In the intervening period, we have been camping and living out of the 4x4Explorer vehicle, here and in Europe.
When the shipping container arrived with our gear, I don’t mind admitting that I was overwhelmed! I couldn’t believe just how much stuff we had accumulated and had being paying to have in storage all that time.
With a house full of boxes and very little furniture, I was delighted when I got a message from my good mate Scott Gray, asking me if I was up for a weekend away. Up for it? I was dying for it! Anything to get away from the clutter and back into the tent…
In safe hands
Scott wouldn’t tell me who was coming, but told me that he had managed to get six trucks together and that we were heading up the Mathias Valley to the Mathias Hut. He also told me that one of the party works for NIWA and knows the Rakaia like the back of his hand. This was good news, because the Rakaia is one river which should never be underestimated and I was happy knowing that we were in safe hands.
So the RDV was set for 0900 Saturday morning at the beginning of Blackford Road, Mount Hut, and radios set on CH16. As I approached the RDV, I began to hear a bit of broken radio chatter and was trying to work out if I knew anyone. I didn’t...
Arriving at the RDV, the crew were there:s Scott, Arno, Mike, Hamish and Russell. A great team, who had travelled from Timaru, Sheffield, Rolleston and Christchurch. After some introductions, we set off up Blackford Road to the crossing point of the Rakaia and over to Manuka Point.
Hunter gatherers
The car park was pretty full and we were approached by a couple of young hunters keen to know our intentions. They were heading up the Rakaia for an overnight trip and I suggested that they jump in with us to keep their feet dry. It would have been pretty miserable starting the weekend by fording the river on foot and having wet feet for the rest of the weekend. I think that they were pretty grateful.
Scott announced that the South Canterbury Club from Timaru were also on their way in and were heading up to Reischek Hut, so we broke out the coffee and waited on the far side for them to arrive. NIWA Hamish in his 80 Series with a mega lift and 37” tyres offered to head back across and guide them through. And after more coffee and chatting we headed our separate ways.
Knowing that we had crossed the most difficult crossing was a relief, but the trip up the Mathias wasn’t plain sailing. The riverbed had some pretty big boulders and Hamish was out in front scouting suitable routes. He did an amazing job, but sometimes it was a bit difficult, because his truck has been specifically built for river work and some of the drop ins and exits that he “walked” were a bit of a challenge for the rest of us in less capable vehicles.
Stuck? Moi?
I was the only one, all weekend, to get stuck. Negotiating a steep drop into the river, I got hung up on a rock and, on exiting the vehicle, saw that both front wheels were in mid-air. Fortunately, Mike was behind me and able to get me clear with a very gentle snatch.
We made pretty good time and made the hut by around 1430. Scott was the only one staying in the hut, so the rest of us set about putting up our tents and making ourselves comfortable. Scott and Russell had brought firepits and everyone had brought a good supply of firewood.
The weather was absolutely perfect! Clear blue skies and not a breath of wind. Although the temperature never got above 3°C, it felt much warmer in the sun. As soon as the sun dipped behind the mountains however, we knew that we were in for a very cold night! As I was heating up dinner at around 1800, the Prado was changing from black to white in front of my eyes and the tent already had a good coating of ice.
Vin Diesel
Now, as many of you will know, I just don’t do cold. This time however, I knew that all was going to be good. I’ve recently acquired a diesel heater for the tent, produced by my good friend and fellow Overlander Aaron Rich of www.xpeditionz.co.nz (whch you can read about in more detail on pg 16. Ed) and it’s the best piece of kit that I own.
We had a great evening around the fire pits telling “bloke” stories, which will remain on tour and having a good time. I think that most of us shuffled off to bed at around 2200, or when the beer and wine ran out.
It was so nice getting into the tent, which was already warm, and having a great sleep listening to the heater humming away.
Next morning, we were all up reasonably early and watching the sun gradually move down the mountainside towards us. As soon as we were in the sun, the trucks started to come back to their original colours, shedding the white coating of frost and despite the temperature still being well negative, it actually felt quite warm.
Homeward bound
We got away by about 1000 and decide to see how far up the valley we could go. The answer was about 500m before it just became too rough to bother. We would have been quicker walking it by the time everyone had turned around and headed back to the hut.
Fortunately, a few of the team had recorded our route in, so the route out was relatively easy. Hamish and Russell decided to head back across the Rakaia and out, while the rest of us headed up the Rakaia Valley for lunch.
Once again, the day was perfect and we all reflected on just how lucky we are here in New Zealand at the moment to be free to explore like we do.
The weekend had been a great success. Perfect weather, low rivers, great people and stunning views. I always say that the reason that I own a 4WD is to get to amazing places and meet amazing people and this trip definitely ticked all the boxes!
Bring on the next one, which I’m sure won’t be far away!
