hey hey, sorry if this is unimaginative -im short on internet-credit.

We're on the road again. Left the murky depths of Milford Sound a few days back now; say we're soft, but the weather was terrible! Rain pouring, wind lashing and temperatures a fridge would be proud of. We did get one river in though, the Tutoko - really nice continuous grade 4, similar to the Styx. The walk in was a nightmare; a jungle-treck wading down a small creek until its confluence with the main river - it was a real battle - climbing over and under trees, through thick bush and wading waist-deep in icy water - at one point having to crawl through a narrow part of the stream under a matrix of vines, fallen trees and other forest debris that had managed to accumulate there..... this going on for over 2hrs, with kayaks!

After Milford, mt Cook. Its beautiful. Did a river there - the Hooker. Started at the base of the montains, which was amazing. Similar in characteristics to the Fox, although not nearly as cold or as technical. Only the first rapid could be honestly classed as a 4 ... although a danger aspect of swimming still existed throughout (if you bail, they say you've only got about 4 minutes).

After the mountains, Queenstown - not much to report. Then (now) up to Merchison, to play around on the Buller for a few days (provided theres some water).