FRANKLIN WILDERNESS 06-KAYAKING EXPEDITION
Story by Bob G. (OIC- Kayaking Expedition)
During the period 06 Jan-16 Jan 06 four members participated in a kayaking expedition down the Collingwood, Franklin and Gordon Rivers. The expedition covered 110 klms of some of Tasmania's wildest river systems over five days. Expedition preparation was conducted in Hobart two days prior out of Anglesea Barracks. The main focus of the preparation was for the introduction of the new replacement kayak; Wavesport Diesel; in the A.T. pools. As the Townsville pool is the only holder of the new craft and with limited use in an expedition role it was found during the pre-pack a five day expedition can easily be conducted with all essential stores considering the kayak's smaller size. Throughout the expedition all aspects of the kayak's performance were priceless.
Monday the 9 Jan saw us pushing off at the Collingwood River around 11 am for a 5pm arrival into the overnight campsite at Irenabyss. This section consisted of eighteen klms of up to Grade three rapids and was a good warm up section for the days ahead. The level at the Collingwood Bridge put in point registered a comfortable 0.8 of a metre. Nobody had an accurate reading of the water temp that morning but Stu and I were slightly feeling the cold at the start being northerners. Nasty Notch rapid was our first major mandatory portage for the trip. Quite an easy portage but most certainly, very essential. Due to the river's commercial popularity we dipped out on the better of the campsites and opted for the top camp which worked out well.
With a comfortable, but not to early start, we once again packed, or should I say; jammed the kayaks with our kit and assembled for our daily safety brief conducted by our Group Leader- Tom (Tomdog). It was initially planned that we would only paddle as far as Askance Creek campsite. With daylight saving on our side we pushed through to Brook of Inveraestra for the overnight camp, not before pulling off and admiring the beauty of Blushrock Falls flowing in on river right. The day's paddling once again reinforced the beauty and remoteness of such a beautiful watercourse. With an early meal and some much needed discussion on the next days conduct, we spent a couple of hours reading over the river notes. We were to be negotiating the Great Ravine pretty much first up in the morning.
After a restless sleep overnight and early departure we headed for the Great Ravine. Usually, if you have a rafting party in the group a low portage on river right at the Cauldron Rapid allows for a much swifter portage. Consequently without this luxury it was decided that the high portage on river left was on the cards. If you have ever read the book, "Hell or High Water-Surviving Tibet's Tsangpo River" by Peter Heller you have nothing to complain about, this portage was tiny compared to what was endured on that expedition. Apart from the long portages and a quick repair to Aaron's kayak we headed for Rafters Basin Camp. This campsite would have to be the most comfortable campsite out of the four that we had used. This was a godsend; considering we were slightly battered from the day's events.
After a good night's sleep it was decided that we would head for Sir John Falls and wait the night out there due to the easy remaining thirty-two klms. On route that afternoon we met up with the Rafting party led by the President of AWWA (Maddog) who had departed some nine days prior. All was well and spirits were very high. On arrival at Sir John Falls we met up with local kayaking parties who couldn't believe we had paddled from Rafters Basin that day. The next morning saw both the kayaking and rafting parties loaded onto the boat for a five hour journey down the remaining section of the Gordon and out across the bay back to the township of Strewn.
The following couple of days consisted of post expedition maintenance and more importantly sharing the experiences with each other on this mighty fine river system.
Kayakers-
Bob G (OIC- Kayaking Expedition)
Tom S (Group Leader)
Aaron C
Stu B
Anybody wishing to participate in future Franklin Wilderness Expeditions either as a Participant or Leader please don't hesitate to contact your area representative for more information.
 |
| At the Start |
 |
| OIC Safety Brief |
 |
| Blushrock Falls |
 |
| Tomdog |
 |
| AL LA Dirt |
 |
| Too slow Bob! |
 |
| The Dogs |
 |
| Above Cauldron |
 |
| Below Cauldron |
 |
| Stew getting a little water time |
 |
| At the End |
