We had done several meets to Hell’s Gate in recent months because it is so popular. When we had hiked there on 26 March, the waterfall was dry, very disappointing and we decided to go there again when it was in full flood.
Well, little did we expect that only one month later, on 30 April, long before the expected winter rains, the river would be running so strongly already. So strongly that we needed to do the ‘winter’ route which requires more side-stepping of the river and on very wet, slippery rocks! Slow going, with lots of concentration and helping each other balance when we had to cross over. When we arrived at the ledge that USUALLY runs just above the water level, taking us deeper into the narrow, cliff-faced gorge, it was UNDER water!! We could only imagine how the waterfall further along would be thundering down! It was not an option to cross that ledge under water – we would have had soaked footwear all day. And of course we had no idea how the river in the narrow section ahead was behaving. So we of necessity had to abandon the rest of the inbound route and return slowly and carefully back to the Ring Road without the splendour of the inner section.
Only one photo is being submitted because so many have been included previously. Those who have been to Hell’s Gate might recognise the section of the ledge that is under water.
For the many new members that day it remains a route that needs to be redone – all the way!!
