Roadside Attractions

The climb is a steady one and there are occasional gaps in the path that produce spectacular views of more hills, but most of the interest in this section is in the smaller "roadside attractions", like this succulent groundcover,

or this attempt at a green snowman:

Over the next three days the luxuriant moss growth will be a feature.

The glowing leaves of this small plant remind me of a strawberry.

We are still climbing when a shout from Miranda draws our attention to a giant weta in the middle of the path. Both of us must have stood alongside of it as we looked out through a gap in the bush to the surrounding landscape.

These fellows are now fairly rare also, being among the heaviest insects in the world. They look pretty fearsome, and can indeed deliver a (harmless) nip but not very often. They are a relation of the cricket

After the extensive tussock grasslands of the Gouland Downs, the Mackay Downs are a complete contrast - narrow strips of tussock following creek beds.

Morning tea time. Time for a dip into the BIOHAZARD bag.

What's that weather doing?

It's certainly getting a little colder. Let's get moving.

 

 

Advice: Heaphy

Browns to Perry Saddle
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Perry Saddle to Saxon
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Saxon to Mackay
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Mackay to Lewis
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Lewis to Heaphy
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Heaphy to Kohaihai
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