Mill Creek

v4a4II**

West Wānaka Conservation Area,

Matukituki Valley, Otago

Descent with Rachel Jones, Patrick Timm, and Emma Stanley.

The waterfalls in Mill Creek look quite intimidating from above, but most of the abseils are clear of the water, and we had relatively low flow after several days of little to no rain. Although most pools have pour-overs, the only one of any concern was just above the narrows, for which the first person down provided a throw line for the rest of the group as a precaution.

Didymo appears to be present throughout most of the canyon, and much of the rock was very slippery. However, stunning blue pools and the spectacular final narrows made this a very fun and beautiful descent.

Most of the pools are very deep and allow for jumps and slides, either from the top or from part way down an abseil

The only pool of any concern poured-over into these narrows. A throw rope was used as a precaution

The spectacularly sculpted high walls of final narrows