Category: Beta-less Canyons

Arthurs Cataract v5a2V

First descent 17 April 2007 Gavin, Mike and the trip report author… Franz Josef Glacier Guides Consider this trip report in the context of glacial recession: getting to Castle Rocks Hut would be most practical in a helicopter…… The grade is a guess, based off the words below. The trip report’s author wasn’t recorded: let…

1 Creek v3a2II

First descent: Dave Vass, Tristran (?), Alain Rohr 2007 Approach, steep on the true right. “We didn’t descend the last waterfall, because it was more than 60m high, and overhung” Apparently they exited the canyon via a heinously steep and loose escape… Bring a bigger rope if you’re going to finish this one off… Alain…

Knobs Flat Creek v4a2III

First descent, Alain Rohr and Antoine Chabanais 2005 Approach, true left, steep, to roughly 700m contour Some nice absiels, with a good level of water. Descent notes found in the depths of Dan’s hard drive… Park at the camp ground cross the river and the swampy flats.. make for the canyon Can see the final…

28 Birthday Creek v3a2III

First descent, Alain Rohr & Antoine Chabanais 2005 Approach, true left to around 800m contour, steep! Lots of absiels, with a good level of water.

Rakautara Stream

First descent by Canterbury Canyon SAR Team during a search operation. A handful of small absiels, some swims and little jumps in a relatively open streamway.

Rolleston River

First descent by West Coast Canyon SAR during a search operation, March 2021. Two absiels from bolt anchors, some sections of nice canyon and some sections of open riverbed scrambling SAR team leader Canyon ends at the confluence with the stream coming from Lake Florence. No futher information available at this time.

Florence Canyon

First descent by Canterbury CanyonSAR team during a search operation in March 2021 No further information available at this time.

Makarora Gorge v4 a5 or a6

Massive water gorging.. one 30m pitch. Yet to receive a canyoning descent.

Cameron Creek v4, a5 or a6

Big water with a couple of huge drops. More of a gorge than a canyon, yet to receive a canyoning descent.

Makarora Valley, Aspiring

Third Waterfall Stream

Looked in form edge. Nice section in middle, trekking on either side. Waterfall at top Local canyoners who went for a recce…

Big Hopwood Burn

Worth a look by a keen team. It has been kayaked by Justin Venable, and explored from the bottom by local canyoners.. Good fun sections. Lots of water. Some Jolie encasement. No major waterfalls, but lots of swims and jumps if you want. Have not yet descended it, but canyoned up from road to about…

Parasite Creek

Apparently explored by Alain Rohr, but nothing of note was found.

Boundary Creek

Apparently explored, but not particularly noteworthy

Strachan Creek

Not really a canyon. 1-1.5hrs access up the Burke canyon. Following (if you can) the old track which runs on the true left side. It is been unmaintained for a very long time, so don’t be surprised if you can’t find/follow it. There was an old wooden bridge, half broken crossing Strachan Creek. Only a…

Templeton Creek

Apparently explored by locals: Nothing down low. Looks good up high but too far to be bothered walking up..

Boundary Creek

Some canyon features and lots of swimming. Worth more visits to figure out where the goods are.

Lake Wanaka, Aspiring

Raspberry Creek

Apparently this has been done a fair few times, and regarded as ‘not bad, although a bit dirty’. The canyon is on Mt Aspiring station, so permission is required for access. Plenty of other better canyons in the area; this record is mostly for historical recording purposes.

Lodge Creek

Not an official name, just close to the ‘Lodge’ on the Topo map. Apparently its been checked out by locals, and it was apparently an ok canyon, but it got hit by a slip in the 90’s which ruined it. Who knows, it might have cleared out by now… Surrounded by private farmland, see WAMS website for…

Bent Burn

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who called it ‘blocky’ (ie, lots of big blocks in the river bed, not really a canyon). No idea how high they started though. Surrounded by private farmland. Check out the WAMS website to see the public walking access options. No photos available.

Siberia Hut Canyon

Has been descended a fair few times, ends in the ‘swimming hole’ of Siberia Hut, so you can expect some observers when you arrive. No info on the canyon, but from the valley you can see a bunch of stacked waterfalls… I’d be taking a drill and at least 2x60m ropes and a staunch bushbashing…

1071 Canyon

Done in 2015 by the French “Aotearoa Expedition” Apparently it was reasonably short, but pretty good. No other info… Fixed wing access to the Airstrip and a hut nearby… who is going to check it out again and get a topo and some photos??

Gordon’s Knob

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Awapoto Stream

Waiting for more information!

Thar Creek

First descent in March 2019. Toine Houtenbos, Alain Rohr, Kaden Anderson, Pete Choate

Upper Peak Canyon

Research information published by Benjamin Buchy..

Ohau Gorge (~v1a3)

Appears to be a short float trip in the Tararua’s.. Appears to be little in the way of rapids or technical sections, so probably just a3. More info on a DOC website; http://blog.doc.govt.nz/tag/ohau-gorge/

25 Mile Creek

This canyon is on private land. Much of the lower Rees valley is privately owned. The owners of Rees Valley Station are willing to consider requests for access to some of these canyons. Permission must be gained in advance for each and every visit. Farming operations may mean access will not be granted. Specific permission…

Big Devil Creek v4a5III

Waima Gorge

Download Research sheet for Waima Gorge Landowners are reluctant to grant access via the vehicle track to the north. (Long daytrip option) However, Andrew Watson and friends gained permission for a 3 day Gorge Tramping trip via Isolation Hut and Zoo Hut. Looks like a classic gorge float/scrambling/tramping trip, rather than a pure canyoning trip. A…