NZ - USA

ZArriving at the airport before 5am I was not sure what to expect in terms of getting my 48kg (105lb) Mac1 kayak through the check in as well as the next three months of traveling around in an old Dodge RV. After getting the manager of check-in as well as the head of baggage out to look at my stuffed kayak with paddle tapped on, the kayak just fit in the baggage bin and I was on my way to the USA.

Checking in at Christchurch Airport

Flying over the Southern Alps

Sydney airport was the longest 6hours of my life. Consisting of eating chinese, using free internet and constantly making sure I was not going to miss my flight. I felt like I was Tom Hanks in the terminal and most people did actually recognise me by the time I was boarding my flight.

Destination... USA

On my flight I was seated in the middle of the 40+ section of passengers and ended up having a few VBs with a lady called Sydney from Sydney, who was 40 and a 79 year old polish women who drank beer because “it makes my kidneys feel much better”. Almost 13 hours later I landed at San Francisco airport. This is a nasty place, I was initially separated from the other people going to Denver due to the size of my luggage, charged $100USD due do my oversize luggage (bull-shit) and almost missed my flight. I was seated dead centre of the plane, so no view of the rockies, and the people either side of me did not speak English. However, two and ¾ hours later I was at Denver Airport. Ok, so once off a plane in Denver you have to ride a train to get to the pick up and baggage areas. This only took me about 45min to work out. Once there, the bag I had to remove from my kayak due to its weight was actually on a different plane and not arriving for another 4 hours. I could not find Arthur and was outright lost. After using the free wire-less internet and a phone from a guy who thought I was going to camp with him, I called Arthur, sorted my luggage and was finally on the road.

The Wagon and the location where we spent our first night.

On the highway I got to see downtown Denver and then… we ran out of fuel. We pull off the highway to put in the EMERGENCY tank where I figured I would stretch my legs and have a piss. Just off the road I am walking thought some grass down toward a nice creek. Then I hear a deep (drunken) groan. It was a bum and I thought to myself, ‘Welcome to America”. From there I purchased a camera and we headed out to the Golden area of Denver. Here we camped for a few days, in parking lots, done a little play boating while waiting for Drew to bring out my luggage. Then finally got in some creeking on the Black Rock section on the South Platte.

Downtown Denver

Black Rock Section of the South Platte

Arthur on the same run

Getting into this US white-water.

Running the meat of 'Rigor Mostis' on Black Rock.

After this we headed over toward to Eagle River via Vail Pass in search of one of Arthurs must run’s, Dowd Chute. Due to some plumbing problems we slept in the Walmart car park in Avon. The next day was good, plumbing was fixed, we paddled the Dowd Chute section of the Eagle River and headed out towards Leadville for an evening of climbing.

Where you can buy EVERYTHING

Finally people give-way (yield) to kayakers... Dowd Chute

A bridge... just a bridge

Leadville Climbing

Arthur, Tessa and Myself getting into the climbing

Myself getting up there

The next morning we awoke to snow, and it was not going anywhere. We decided it was time to find some water so headed towards the upper catchment area of the Arkansas River. Finding a beautiful camping spot over the Clear Creek – Ark we scouted two gorges and decided to paddle the next morning as it was getting late and snowing on and off. After breakfast we got suited up in what seemed beautiful weather, but no. Pulling on our decks snow was coming down, lightly but consistently. The river was bouncy and fast, and Arthur who had not been creeking for a while was not feeling it. I ran the upper Gorge by myself with Arthur setting safety on the crux rapid at the exit of the Gorge. Clear Creek – Ark is a sweet little run and I will try do it again before I leave the area.

The scene when we woke up

Nice view

Scouting the Ark -Clear Creek

Me thinking about putting on... Yeah Right!!

Our camp sight, during a fine spell.

Putting onto Ark-Clear Creek

Arthur... the picture tells the story

Me by the bottom of the Numbers section on the Arkansas River

Cooking USA style

Over the next few days were are planning to paddle the Pine Creek and Numbers section of the Arkansas and I am hoping to find a local to take me down the bottom four of Lake Creek. Will let you know how it all goes and what else we do over the next week or so.