First Descent of Rocky Creek

This is a very late write up of a first descent we did on the 13th of December 2011. We had been hanging out on the West Coast doing local trips like the Upper and Lower Kakapotahi, Arahura walk in, Styx and the Toaroha. There was a big weather system that was about to hit the West Coast of the South Island. This river was one that GW boys Barny and Jordy had scouted out at low water and said it was good to go.

So on that information we waited for rain. We didin't have to wait long as late that night it started raining heavily. In the morning we waited a couple of hours for the rain to fill up the river before setting off for the small settlement of Rapahoe. We checked the flow at Seven Mile Creek which is the main river that Rocky Creek flows into. We left a vehicle at a carpark next to the ocean as our take out point. From the take out we drove North for two kilometres to a pullover bay and road with a big (locked) gate. This was to be the start of our walk.

The walk was a little bit dodgy to say the least. We were on DOC land but it was also a combination of old mines, operational drilling sites and helicopter landing pads. We walked fast and kept our heads down. The walk took us about an hour and followed tracks most of the way.

At the put in the river bed was covered and was easily enough to float our boats. We pushed off, eager to see what was around the corner. The run had numerous clean rapids and just one portage around some trees. There were a few industrial hazards such as rope and wire across the river, which were marking tracks as they crossed back and forth through the river bed.

Jordy pushing off at the put in

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

Jordy running the first rapid of the day

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Barny on a nice slope to boof

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

Me on a really tight one

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

Skux loving the Tuna

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Daan lining up a clean boof

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

Skux probing a big ramp

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Daan ducking to avoid the tree, another nice limestone slide

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

Barny on the last slide of the day

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

It rained the entire time while we were on the river but it didn't seem to come up much while we were on it. It would have been good if we had a bit more water, but in saying that it was a good first time flow. Rocky Creek meets Seven Mile Creek not long after the last slide, which meant good flows for a nice float out to the ocean and the take out. 

Skux forgot to take the keys with him which left Jordy and I running up to the top. A very smooth first descent - thanks to Barny and Jordy for scoping it out for us.

The Styx

Heading out to the Kokatahi, I thought the river looked good to go. On second opinion, Jess thought it was a little high. On third opinion (Barny and Jordy) it was on the high side of good. The outcome? A better option of walking up the Styx river. 

The Styx river is in the next valley over from the Kokatahi, and it usually takes about an hour to walk to the put in. We were driving up the 4x4 track to the start of the walk and had got most of the way up when our trusty Landcruiser managed to get itself stuck (who would have thought?). We tried for an hour to get it out but the 4x4 wasn't engaging and therefore we weren't going anywhere. Going paddling and leaving the truck where it was (waiting for the sun to dry the mud) seemed like the best idea. 

Well stuck in the mud

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

From the truck we walked the hour to the put in. The track has changed a lot as many of the side creeks have blown out in recent floods, making the track hard to follow. At the river, the flow seemed to be a good medium. Once at the put in I looked around to find Barny and Jordy - they were pulling a tree out of the first rapid to create a clean line. We got changed pretty fast to stop the sandflies from attacking us. From here we had a couple of very clean rapids.

Jess on the first rapid

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Barny with Skux in the background

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Jess in the good bit

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Jess lining up the boof for the camera

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

Skux in the same spot
(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

 Jordy, wishing he had his Tuna...

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

 Looking downstream

(Photo: Daan Jimmink)

After the first kilometre the river started to become pretty manky. Recent flooding seemed to have brought down a lot of sediment from the side creeks and filled up the main river. The river felt like it wasn't as steep and some of the great rapids on the run were no longer there. We were disappointed to say the least as the Styx has forever been a bit of a West Coast classic walk-in. Right now? All in all not really worth the run. Maybe in a flood or two... Who knows.

When we got to the truck the mud had dried a bit. Listening to the instructions from the team, I tried again to drive us out. All of a sudden every one was yelling and all I heard was to "drive backwards." Doing as I was told, I drove back and got the truck even more stuck. It was time to get help. Jordy was the chosen one for this task because he is the fastest runner (all that training Jordy). Everyone else enjoyed the cold beer and wine that we had left in the river.

Lining up the tractor

(Photo: Jess Matheson)

Jordy returned with a famers tractor that made light work of getting the truck out. It was now time for more celebrations before the drive to Barny's house.

Celebrating the extraction of the truck

(Photo: Jess Matheson)