Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers

Hi all. Any done the sections of the TAT that include these rivers? If so, what I'd like to know is if where the trail meets each river, is that section of the river navigable by boat? I'm in a pretty unique position where I work for an outdoor adventure company, and I know one of my colleagues would be happy to come across with rafting/kayaking gear if it's suitable. I know they're braided rivers. Just how braided in spring is the question. Any info would certainly be appreciated. Cheers.

Both rivers are likely to be running high due to the Nor'wester weather patterns common in spring. Any local, fisherman, meteorologist or potamologist will be able to answer if there’s more braids or deeper flows with any measure of accuracy. Jetboat operators will surely have knowledge on river behaviour during spring. These TA lads managed to cross the Rangitata: http://doglegphotoproject.com/blog/2015/3/crossing-the-rangitata-river This couple flew over. Interesting read: http://whiowhio.weebly.com/blog/archives/02-2015/4 http://whiowhio.weebly.com/blog/archives/02-2015/3

You'll be aware that officially the river crossings are not part of TA, deliberately so as not to be seen to be encouraging any one to attempt a crossing. Both rivers when flowing low are often able to be crossed especially by a strong team, usually a bit upstream of where the TA meets the river banks. BUT often as you know they are a very dangerous to attempt to cross on foot. A small inflatable in experienced hands is a viable option. A kayak (in the hands of an experienced white water paddler) makes it pretty straight forward. Mark Watson www.facebook.com/highlux is about to cross, or not, the Rakaia, heading south in the next day or so.

Cheers guys. Yeah, like most, I'd like to be able to cross them, but as a solo hiker it is simply a risk not worth taking. Hence checking to see if it's worth dragging a colleague to the other side of the island with all the right gear. :D

Of all the TA blogs I've read to date, only the Rangitata was attempted by walkers.

Hmm, I wish I could edit posts. I found these photos of it being crossed: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KS41l2prDCM/U3mwIPHKtHI/AAAAAAAAD84/8GZOxB5_dA8/s1600/DSC01757.JPG First Crossings capture: http://dphotomagazine.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Rakaia-river.jpg Videos of crossing - these guys were LUCKY. https://throughtramp.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/raikaia-river-hazard-zone/

How far from here to the closest bridge?

sigh. You can look on the topo. http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-43.316109,171.402506&z=14 Upstream (on the rakaia pictured above) 38k or so above the TA is the Ramsay swing bridge. (but also check the real size of the Ramsay lake) Downstream about the same distance is the Rakaia gorge road bridge. The Rangitata's first bridge is also a road bridge, near Geraldine. Then both have a rail bridge next to the state highway 1 bridge. And please, everybody, be very careful when using F'Crossn's as a source. The above site was carefully chosen by people who know a lot about rivers - but not primarily to be a viable ford. 50m upstream they probably would have made it across which is not what was wanted for the shot.

I like Kreig's option to get some mates to bring kayaks around.

Quite right Hugh, the above photo should serve as a warning. The videos on Through Tramp showed two hikers almost angry they could not cross before dark, both reluctantly (and wisely) decided against it but forged across the following day. By the looks on their faces, it was a sobering experience.