Pack Rafting part 2, Tasmania

Here the Dial's, Roman and Rome, set out from Lake Pedder, in the South West National Park inTasmania, for some pack rafting on the Anne River.  The Anne River is a steep creek that has only been boated three times in the past ten years so we knew to expect almost anything. The two days on the Anne turned out to be a classic low water level workout. Each day involved 12 hours of the hard labor of pushing, pulling and paddling our boats over countless rock bars, but we enjoyed some nice boating as well.The photo below is Rome Dial on the Upper Anne River where it drops at about 400 feet a mile. The Anne is beautiful creek boating at the right water levels. During our descent we tried to imagine how nice it would be if side creeks delivered us more water, but despite overnight rains this never happened. 

The first day we made only ten km as we were slowed by shallow water and the constant need to push or drag the boats over rock bars. 

On the second day two hours from our camp on the Anne River we entered the Huon River and the flow nearly doubled.

This is Roman on one of the drops on the Huon River on day two. We had a little more water, but the drops were still rocky!

The second day it was a hard paddle of 35 km down the Huon River and then a couple more kilometers on the Picton River to the take out. Spending so many hours on the rivers  from sunrise to sunset allowed us to see the rivers in all types of light- that and the changing weather createdsome wonderful shows. 

Above is Roman on the Huon River during one of the many rain showers on the Huon. This is about seven hours into the days descent as we paddle flat water looking for river current and a brief rest from the paddling.

We ran the last rapids of the Huon in the dark which really upped the adventure level of the Huon's class 3 rapids. We ended the trip at the Tahune Air Park take out at 10 pm. This evening rainbow emerged during our last hour of light on the Huon. See Roman's video  (here).

Comments

[River Rafting in India]

http://www.riverraftinginindia.net - Rafting Expeditions in India - Complete information on Day Rafting Trips in Rishikesh, Alaknanda and Ganga River Expedition, Tons River Expedition, Mahakali River Rafting Expedition and more on Rafting in India.

[White water rafting trip]

You've just inspired me with such extremely great adventure. It's so good to see that someone has decided that solo travelers are potential customers to be attracted rather than troublesome anomalies to be ignored and penalized.

[Bill]

I was inspired going down the Franklin River and learning of the history on the river of small one man inflatables boats. The popularity of those boats ended 20 years ago. I have a story coming out about the Franklin trip in Australia Geographic Outdoor magazine. My hope is the story inspires more people to take to the rivers in small boats especially a gem like the Franklin River.

[David Deland]

The river looks very challenging with all those big rocks. What looks dangerous for most people is a dream for a few intrepid ones. You're gonna need a strong rubber boat, a good paddle and a lot of skills to navigate those rocks. The challenge adds to its charm that only the best can conquer this river.