
We wake to roaring wind. No this pic is not over exposed, the air is thick with dust. Your hair, nose and ears trap the stuff. To venture out beyond the trees is to invite exfoliation. Here the storm had gusts between 100 and 120 kph.

A tall stand of Kanuka provided us with perfect shelter from the overnight storm

Later in the morning, listening to the weather forecast. "I wouldn't go anywhere this morning, you're liable to get blown away."

During the morning the wind drops a little, we see a little bit of blue sky and move out about midday, reaching Matai Flat at 3 pm.

Matai Flat To those who have been down The Clarence before, this is a familiar and welcoming place, the perfect place to rest up and take an extra day. There are giants of trees, a fresh pool to get clean and best of all, a stretch of river suitable for swimming
While the scientists go of in search of trees, others go swimming





Camp Ovens...followed by crumble

Day One Clarence / Acheron to Big Eddy Day Two Big Eddy to Quail Flat Day Three Quail Flat to Figit Hut Day Four Figit Hut to Pot Garden Day Five Pot Garden to Matia Flat Day Six Matai Flat to Clarence River bridge Back to Clarence 2004 starting point

Otago Canoe and Kayak Club

Stories
Clarence Trip 2004
Trip - Day Five