The Fastest Heat Gun Slinger in Peru

14 Oct 10:51 am by Nathan Welch Category: The Expedition

Well by the time you are all reading this we will be back in action on the Apurimac. If you click on videos you can see an overview of our stay in Cusco (If you haven’t already). Again its been busy times trying to repair the boat, sort out alternative solar charging options, organising new cooking utensils & kitchen & recovering a little physically.

The good news is that the boat is operational – Nath was a little anxious about how well we could salvage the floor with those 2 nasty tears. But a mini miracle helped our cause here. We knew we needed a heat gun to firstly remove the patches done on the river & then again to activate the glue for the new patches. The heat gun was essential to ensure a good strong bond second time around. But what are the chances of finding a heat gun in Peru let alone Cusco – well it wasn’t looking so good for most of the first day – especially considering everywhere we went – know one had even heard of a heat gun. Things were looking pretty grim when in a little market place Nath spotted a local chap repairing electronic equipment with yep you guessed it a Heat Gun. We hit this guy up & you wouldn’t believe it he had a brand new one hidden away out the back. Apparently he had smuggled them into Peru from Bolivia ….we had found the only 2 Heat Guns in Peru – Yehaa! Its been pretty difficult to get the gun out of Nath’s hand over the last few days as he has been missioning on the boat!

We’ll the boat is back on deck, we have a new kitchen, we have a new tripod, we have even sourced some waterproof buckets to replace our damaged dry bags (for those paddlers amongst us– you would not believe it – we found a tiny little store that sells those blue waterpooof chemical buckets – amazing, considering they are like hens teeth in Australia & Africa!). We are all rested up, raring to tackle the next leg of the Apurimac – COME ON!

PS – to Mad Madonna & little Tahlie – I’m glad the ballet lessons I gave helped out. Congratulations little Tahlie – Ive always known you are star! Remember to keep your eyes focused when pirouetting hehehe!

25 Comments

25 Comments »

Nath – I’m with you in spirit every step my beautiful boy.

Boys – take care of each other. Try to take some time each day to reflect and rejuvenate yourselves.

SOOOOOO PROUD! All my love – Angexxx

Comment by Angela Hanly — October 14, 2007 @ 11:07 am
To the Amazon Boys – Good Morning from Cape Town! Your journey is already presenting some wonderful surprises and we love reading about your latest adventures and viewing the photos/videos. Take Care – lots of love, Carol & Katie.

Comment by Carol — October 14, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
Morning guys from a slightly wet Cape Town.I must say Nath looks very suave with his heat gun and a big smile… you see the river gods are looking after you, to find that gun and the waterproof buckets is nothing short of a miracle awesome!!!
Good to here you are all in good spirits…. hit the river with lots of passion and respect.
Rugby update England beat France I think the score was 14-10, close game. We play Argentinia tonight, apparently Buinos Aeries is already celebrating the fact that the Pumas have made it to the semi`s.
Looking forward to the next posting, as always SAFE JOURNEY God bless Richard.
PS, Scott I will be sending the dark glasses first thing tomorrow morning to the address in Lima

Comment by Richard Martin — October 14, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
Hi Guys – We have just beaten Argentina 37-13 so there’s a big surprise to look forward to next weekend in the final game. During the after-match celebration in the stadiium the organisers played that fabulous theme song from World Cup 1995 – the PJ Powers ‘World in Unison’ – awesome! Take Care – Carol.

Comment by Carol — October 15, 2007 @ 7:17 am
Congratulations for making to Nahua, Cuzco and back to Apurimac. Ice cream tastes so good in Cuzco – difficult to get back any where from there!!.

Be carefull, water gets bigger from now ON!!.

I looked at your pictures from the river for the first time. Your equipment is not secured for a river like the Apurimac. If possible, buy from a fishermen a fishing net (do you have somebody in Cuzco to get it there – yet). If you get the fishing net, secure it to the inside tubes, make a floor, put all your bags on the top of the floor net and cover your equipment with top net. Seal all together with a rope. If your raft gets destroyed your equipment will stay inside your “net bag”!!.

The River gets bigger from now on and rainy season is on your tail. Will you have any whitewater experienced kayakers joining you??.

Best to you ALL. Be careful,

Piotr Chmielinski

Comment by Piotr Chmielinski — October 15, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
sounds good… but are you really on the amazon? that photo looks a lot like it was taken outside the golden acre in cape town… ons het vandag klaar ingetrek in die huis… baie lekker. en die bokke! lekker rus en los die marmotte uit. good luck guys!

fritz

Comment by fritz — October 15, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
Nathan,
In the picture you look like a kid in a candy store.
You also look like you mean business.
Good luck and thinking of you

Kiz & Uncle Pattie

P.S Hope your back is feeling good

Comment by Kirri & Pat — October 16, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Mark
Hey cuz been reading along for the last couple of weeks now. Good to see you’re charging on hard even when it gets really tough. So cool what you guys are doing. All the best and will be thinking about ya and sending you energy from good ol mackay!
All the best, Dave

Comment by Dave Whitson — October 16, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Hi Nathan how is everything going? The dance we had was not a ballet lesson!!! Put your pointer finger from each hand in your mouth on each side and poke your tongue out – that is what I am doing at the moment. He he he ha ha ha ha – Love Tahlie (the STAR)

Comment by MadMadonna — October 16, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause; He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made laws

Sir Richard Francis Burton

Comment by Matt Kalch — October 16, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
Well team what more is there to say, YOU ALL make us PROUD!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear the next post.
Hope this next leg of the journey is going to plan.

Our Prayers & Thoughts are with you all, Nathan take care of that back. Love Toni & Bill

Comment by Toni-Maree — October 16, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
You guys are a tribute to the power of the human spirit and to the resiliance that comes from self belief and the will to never give in. Seing what you men are doing is humbling yet simultaneously exhilirating.

Great work thus far and if you didn’t have the pictures to prove it, the heat gun story and that of the chemical buckets would be difficult to believe possible.

Stay strong, stay bonded, stay safe

Nathan, God knows why but I have always held you in high regard – what you have done in the last 28 days has taken that to another plane. Proud? Bloody oath I am!!!!!

In hope and in support
John

Comment by John (JD) Pyke — October 16, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
Hi Fellas, Well there is no doubt thatwe are privy to the exploits of 3 outstanding young men. From your
reports, it’s clear to see that feelings,comradeship
you hold for each other is strong and vibrant.This is
the Aussie way.On reading of your valiant efforts,one
realises that the”3Amigos”know their self worth and
ability & have the tenacity to carry out what they believe they can & will do. Gentlemen, I am one very jealous,but proud GRANDDAD. All at 20 Barton send love & say GO!GO!GO! Marie, Margy & Grumblebum.

Comment by Grumblebum — October 17, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
You guys are loose cannons! I love it…and the heat gun…its getting hot in here…

Best wishes!!!!!

Aj

Comment by Aj Burn — October 18, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Make sure that Aussi’e pulling his weight!
Haha good luck guys hope its going well!

Comment by Jamo Tyrrell — October 19, 2007 @ 5:15 am
Hi Boys.

Good to see that Cusco was good for you, its amazing just what happens to us for the best results to take place. I see Cusco as an important stay for you guys to physically be at your best for the rest of the big water. Whatever lays ahead you are now at your peak and will be able to perform no matter what the odds. We are always thinking of the trip and where you guys are at, remember to always treat life as definate and not coincidence or chance – this says to me that everything that is ahead you – you have already been given victory over and it is only an experience to take you to new heights. Good to see you all in good cheer and back in the swing of the river. Again my friends – there is nothing that can’t be done – and God is only ever waiting for the first to say that they will do it – all things are possible to him who believes.

Go in God’s speed, protection and peace my friends,

Mick

Comment by Mick — October 22, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Hi guys Glad to know your soirits are still Hight
Hope you guys enjoy it
I should have been there myself just to help with the translations
All the best
Carlos

Comment by Carlos Peres — October 22, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Hi guys Glad to know your spirits are still Hight
Hope you guys enjoy it
I should have been there myself just to help with the translations
regards

Comment by Carlos Peres — October 22, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
Glad to know your spirits are still Hight
Hope you guys enjoy it
I should have been there myself just to help with the translations
regards

Comment by Carlos Peres — October 22, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
Hi Guys,

I have been trying to work out the difference in time. I think it is about 7:45am your time – (10:45 Bris)so here is a positive note to start the day for you all. You have all been called for a great purpose and in just doing what you are doing now, it has the ability to be able to impact someone’s life for the positive – someone you may never get to meet – all you need to do is wake every morning and tell yourself no matter what happened yesterday (good or bad) today is a brand new day and you will finish it as best you can.

As I have been thinking of you in my quiet time with the King of Kings, He gives me this for you all – it comes from the Old Testament from a prophet named Jeremiah 33: 2-4

“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it – the Lord is His name. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”

No matter what we have prepared for and how experienced we are – there always comes a time when we are found short – it is in this time that we have the greatest opportunity to move to new heights and achieve the un-achievable- it is exactly in this time that if done as spoken above we will begin to tap into a source of knowledge that is not of ourselves and no matter what is in front of us we will overcome.

Remember my friends that today is a new day and you are awake – if in doubt today – ask the living God who formed the environment you are in to guide you and then follow your instict. This I am certain – with the amount of FAITH in one boat He will prosper you all the way to the end of the expedition. Remember sometimes the way that looks to be the right way turns out not to be. look close at what may seem easy today.

Nath – How is your back? – if possible – can you post where the problem was brother.

Go in God’s speed, Grace, protection,

Mick

Comment by Mick — October 22, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Net om julle op datum te hou – die Bokkies het natuurlik toe gewen (15-6) met uitmuntende spel. Gaan goed met almal. Staan sterk en geniet dit! Wees veilig en moenie die krag van die natuur onderskat nie. Liefde, Marné

Comment by Marné — October 23, 2007 @ 2:57 am
Hello boys!

Brief as it was, it was wonderful to hear your voice yesterday Mark!! Thank you for letting us know that
you are all safe and well and that you have survived the gruelling 5 day hike – all the best for the 12 day or so of wild white water ahead of you. Support each other and take heed of what Mick has said and you’ll get through this journey safe and sound. Mario should deliver the net today, that Piotr suggested.

With all our love and best wishes.

Donna, Barry, Matt, Anna & Sammy xxx

Comment by Donna — October 23, 2007 @ 9:18 am
Hi Boys,

another day gone and another started for you. The message for today is not to look back.

In the words of Jesus Christ “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God”

I love this passage as we can only focus on moving forward – looking back only delays what has been prepared for us up ahead. keep on moving forward.

I saw some of Jet Lee today and a quote from his last movie was to the like “unless we are working in unity with others, we cannot ever expect to better ourselves”. Keep on working together and expect great things to take place every day.

The Lord again has shown me in His word that this day He has sent a messenger ahead of you guys and prepared the way. He will not leave this alone – keep seeking Him when making key decisions – He knows the way to go and will release it to you every time – he will come as that quiet thought. Worst case – as I wrote in the book I gave you Nath and Buff – call upon the name of the Lord and He will save you – no matter where you are and what you need. Its always about the small miracles.

Nath – Going back into Kayelitsha next month brother.

Got your back from here – be strong together

Go in God’s speed, peace and protection my friends

Mick

Comment by Mick — October 23, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
Warm Greetings from Cape Town where we are still mesmerised with the euphoria of having won the Rugby World Cup! Fabulous spirit has been ignited amongst our people and the green/gold continues to shimmer amidst South African flags!

We think about you often and trust your guidance from above is the shining light that embraces all of you in moments of ecstacy and challenge, so clearly depicted in Mick’s words. Looking forward to the next update and images.

Take Care and Lots of Love
Carol & Katie

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Comment by Alana Ihm — August 6, 2010 @ 4:35 pm