Highest Drop 50m
Public Access
5-6hrs
Generally a moderately angled enclosed stream in the upper section with a few jumps. Longer rappels and becoming more open on the lower section.
This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
This canyon was severely damaged by the huge rain event in Westland, March 2019, but was successfully descended in April 2023 and reported as ‘back to normal’
Hokitika Local w/ 5x descents this year, happy to provide updates to the community on Dorothy:
It’s a little difficult to discern each R with the changes from the floods back in 2017 but I’ll do my best. All anchors bolted and natural are intact and in good condition.
-Approach: TL ascent. Tree climbing moves around R7 still intact, after that a discernible track begins to disappear. 330 m contour remains a good guideline, I sometimes go up to 400 m. It’s a bit choose your own adventure atm.
-R1 is easy DC at low/normal flow
-R2 has bolts on TR and are in good condition on dyneema cord that might need replacing in the next season, been good enough to date. Not jumpable in my opinion.
-R3 is easy DC on logs
-R4 is easy DC
-R5 (Fault-line Abseil) : has intact and good webbing on tree TL. At low/normal flow I’ve historically always abseiled on TL contrary to guide book because abseil is shorter (33-34 m) and can use a single 60m rope with short pull cord or a 70 m rope is nearly perfect. But TL is a bit more in-flow if it were high water. You can escape here on TL in case you get a rope stuck.
-R6: new bolts on TR since guidebook, changing from the pre-flood TL dry abseil route on natural anchor webbing . This new TR bolted anchor one is a little higher risk for getting ropes stuck and make sure to pull ropes TR-down stream a bit.
-R7: TL tree is no longer sound for an anchor. You can do a river bed log on TR but did get rope stuck trying this once this season. There is webbing on TL for a really fun abseil down TL mostly dry chute. Ropes length is 38 m and needs a pull cord for 60/70 m rope.
-R8: TL look for webbing wrapped around a log on overhead ledge. Slipper no-flow chute
-R9: Been using a belay/hand line to attain TL tree anchor as it’s wicked slippery. Webbing in good shape still. Last abseil is less than guidebook with final pool filling in with gravel and raising it’s height, and about 36 m. It can be accomplished with single rope if you’ve done it before/experienced (my 70 m nearly reaches pool and hasn’t required a pull cord). The lead abseiler can see/communicate from chock stone at top of visible falls and spot the rope length for the anchor leader. The final jump is deep enough at this time, but check after rain events that pool hasn’t gain extra gravel.
Hike up not super clear after first 15mins, next person up who knows the way could do some trail marking?
Changed some webbing.
Some anchors listed as tree anchors now bolts, which make for great inflow action.
Amazing fun trip with some impressive pitches for its access times.
Well worth it!
Approach track comes and goes, lots of rain in the morning so decided to go do this as it’s a small catchment. Had some deep tissue massage in some of the waterfalls, but most were manageable in this higher flow. Best part was the last two abseils
Anyone done this since the Big Rain? I hear the road round the lake is trashed.
We did Dorothy 16/03/2013. Water was low. The trip was easy and uneventful and the canyon was nice. It took our big group of 6 about 6 hours car to car. Two went ahead to set anchors and run through while four took up the rear with our own ropes. Watch out for wasps nests on the approach.