Jordan Searle and his team prepare to fly in for their mission on the Karangarua River, as recipients of The North Face Adventure Grant 2015. 

While the class VI – V section below Cassel Flat had been kayaked before, the upper 17km was a First Descent from Christmas Hut to Cassel Flat. The expedition involved two days of scouting and four days to complete the First Descent. 

Technical portage in stunning surrounds.

“The First Descent of the Karangarua from its source was simply incredible. It encompassed a breath-taking river valley, full on white-water, technical portaging and smiles for days,” said grant recipient Jordan Searle. 

The North Face Adventure Grant exists to aid adventurers in Australia and NZ, like Jordan Searle and his team, in achieving their dream expeditions. 

“It is great to have this trip behind me as I have been eyeing it up for years now,” said Jordan on completion of the expedition.  

The Karangarua River is located in the west of New Zealand‘s South Island. It flows northwest from the Southern Alps, entering the Tasman Sea 80km northeast of Haast.

On the 2015 expedition, Jordan Searle was joined by Ari Walker, David Bain, and Barny Young, along with Taylor Weston who supplied track support and James Scott, helicopter pilot.

Expedition selfie.

Sponsored by Australian Geographic Outdoor, The North Face Adventure Grant is not only for elite athletes, but designed to assist adventurers of all levels to step up and make their adventure aspirations a reality.

The team successfully completed their expedition on 7 December 2015.