Background
On Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, I went to Patuna Chasm for an 8:30AM self-guided walk through a chasm. I'd found out about it the previous day while eating octopus at Saint Sebastian Restaurant in Masteron, New Zealand.
Departing from the parking lot, the group of people on the tour boarded an outdoor seating rig hooked up to a 4WD vehicle. Everyone started walking by 8:53AM. Along the way, I encountered a deer, which looked panicked.
After about 30 minutes of hiking along the river, you descend by ropes into the chasm. From here, if you continue up the river, there is a waterfall but I didn't go to it as I wanted to keep my distant from people so I was able to take photos of the chasm. At the very end of the chasm, the river depth drops to deep depths and you have to swim. This section is optional. Slightly before noon, we drove back to the parking lot and subsequently left the area at 12:20PM.
Things To Know
- There are several bookings per day but to have no one in front of you, go on the easiliest one and hike quickly ahead of everyone.
- If you go alone, you will be suggested to keep with another group, although this doesn't really matter and is not enforced since it's a self-guided tour.
- You have to walk in the river and closed toed water shoes are best. Many people just wore running shoes and go them soaked.
- You will get wet about up to your waistline.
- If you want to see the waterfall, go right (upstream) when you go to the beginning of the chasm.
- If you want to see the very end of the chasm, be prepared to get completely soaked and swim, so everything you have need to be waterproof or sealed.
- If you have a 4WD vehicle, you could drive yourself instead of being with the group but this may prove difficult as the road is one way. The only real reason to do this is to leave before everyone else.
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