D'Urville Island circumnavigation
7-11 April. Leader is Tim
This is timed to follow after the KASK forum 2014 in Anakiwa.
This Marlborough Sound paddle will explore this gorgeous paddling spot in South Island focusing on D’urville Island. Limited to 6. Helmets are required. The plan is subject to change based on local condition, whether and group capability
Distance is approx. 85k over 4 days including 28k on one of the last days, or more if we change the plan or do more exploring. You must be a strong intermediate/experienced paddler to join us. French Pass has very strong currents and whirlpools, so need to pass through there at slack tide. The swell can get very large and confused between D'Urville Island and Stephen's Island. Surf landings are likely on the West coast.
Russell and Tim are traveling with Inter-islander (4 April 2014, 9:00AM ferry and the last ferry back on the Saturday 12th).
If you have not made the booking, please note that we have negotiated Group discounts on Inter-islander ferry crossing – get the group discount code from Tim.
You will need - usual safety gear; clean water for 5 days; first aid kit; standard camping gear & food; walking gear; preferably a trolley; helmet. Tim will be taking a PLB.
Plan A: Overnight parking at French Pass next to Wharf or camp. If you are attending the KASK forum – meet outside the Anakiwa car park at 9:00AM – and we can drive together to French Pass.
Plan B: Park at Private batch (belongs to Bevan Walker @ Penzance)
Additional Risks -
1. French Pass has very strong currents and whirlpools. The swell can get very large and confused between D'Urville Island and Stephen's Island.
Mitigation: Cross during slack tide
2. Water supply – many of the camping spots are either freedom camps or working farms.
Mitigation: Take extra water as well as iodine / water purification tablets / water filter if water runs out
3. West coast of D'Urville - Westerlies will be a problem - there are horrible trip stories of getting trapped by bad weather from the West.
Mitigation: If caught in Port Hardy, do a portage over to the east coast and return home. Portage at the very easterly part of port Hardy takes about an hour. Tim has one set of wheels – additional wheels welcome.
4. The island is pretty remote and the weather can close in or might need medical or non-urgent evacuation of paddlers back to mainland.
Mitigation:
Circumnavigate D’urville anticlockwise & return to Penance
Emergency Exit Points - there are about 17 exit points around the island that have safe landing and or campable (most with running water from streams / nearby farms)
The flood and ebb streams attain rates of 5 to 7 knots and do not set directly through the narrow channel but across it. The flood stream sets in a south-westerly direction as far as the narrows and then along the shore between Channel and Rock Cod Points. The ebb stream sets in the opposite direction. Slack water lasts about 20 minutes.
[ebb when Tide is coming from shore and returning to the sea (low tide ensuing).]
There is usually a period when the flow ceases, known as slack water, before the stream changes direction. Interestingly, slack water does not necessarily occur at times of high or low water.
To register online, please click here...
OR email to auckland@canoeandkayak.co.nz
This is timed to follow after the KASK forum 2014 in Anakiwa.
This Marlborough Sound paddle will explore this gorgeous paddling spot in South Island focusing on D’urville Island. Limited to 6. Helmets are required. The plan is subject to change based on local condition, whether and group capability
Distance is approx. 85k over 4 days including 28k on one of the last days, or more if we change the plan or do more exploring. You must be a strong intermediate/experienced paddler to join us. French Pass has very strong currents and whirlpools, so need to pass through there at slack tide. The swell can get very large and confused between D'Urville Island and Stephen's Island. Surf landings are likely on the West coast.
Russell and Tim are traveling with Inter-islander (4 April 2014, 9:00AM ferry and the last ferry back on the Saturday 12th).
If you have not made the booking, please note that we have negotiated Group discounts on Inter-islander ferry crossing – get the group discount code from Tim.
You will need - usual safety gear; clean water for 5 days; first aid kit; standard camping gear & food; walking gear; preferably a trolley; helmet. Tim will be taking a PLB.
Plan A: Overnight parking at French Pass next to Wharf or camp. If you are attending the KASK forum – meet outside the Anakiwa car park at 9:00AM – and we can drive together to French Pass.
Plan B: Park at Private batch (belongs to Bevan Walker @ Penzance)
Additional Risks -
1. French Pass has very strong currents and whirlpools. The swell can get very large and confused between D'Urville Island and Stephen's Island.
Mitigation: Cross during slack tide
2. Water supply – many of the camping spots are either freedom camps or working farms.
Mitigation: Take extra water as well as iodine / water purification tablets / water filter if water runs out
3. West coast of D'Urville - Westerlies will be a problem - there are horrible trip stories of getting trapped by bad weather from the West.
Mitigation: If caught in Port Hardy, do a portage over to the east coast and return home. Portage at the very easterly part of port Hardy takes about an hour. Tim has one set of wheels – additional wheels welcome.
4. The island is pretty remote and the weather can close in or might need medical or non-urgent evacuation of paddlers back to mainland.
Mitigation:
- Have a support vessel on standby
- For non-urgent Evacuation / resupply – contact Mark Hooper
- Backup evacuation via water taxi companies (chargeable and might not operate in severe weather). Ask for barge. If need medical evacuation / emergencies, use PLB / VHF Ch#17
- 7th Apr Meet at Anakiwa OB car park at 9:00AM
- Drive to Penance (private batch) ETA 11:00 AM
- Paddle around the Tennyson Inlet and explore Tarakaipa and Tawhitunui islands
- Stay Monday night at batch & revise plan if necessary
- Make our way to French Pass past Maud Island & Port Ligar
- Stay at the d'Urville Island Wilderness Resort Tues night
Emergency Exit Points - there are about 17 exit points around the island that have safe landing and or campable (most with running water from streams / nearby farms)
The flood and ebb streams attain rates of 5 to 7 knots and do not set directly through the narrow channel but across it. The flood stream sets in a south-westerly direction as far as the narrows and then along the shore between Channel and Rock Cod Points. The ebb stream sets in the opposite direction. Slack water lasts about 20 minutes.
[ebb when Tide is coming from shore and returning to the sea (low tide ensuing).]
There is usually a period when the flow ceases, known as slack water, before the stream changes direction. Interestingly, slack water does not necessarily occur at times of high or low water.
To register online, please click here...
OR email to auckland@canoeandkayak.co.nz