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28 January 2007

Incline Track (part 3)

Section 2: The Incline Track

This is a different kettle of fish altogether. On the whole, the track is still wide - it could well have been a vehicle track originally - but it's steep, very steep - and rutted, and full of exposed tree roots, and surfaced with a clay that is still muddy in patches but would be quite treacherous after rain. You have to pick your way along carefully.

But still a world away from the Slip Track, of which more later.

Even though we're still level at first, there's a major shift in ambience from the railway walk.

Though narrower, it's still quite open, and in a slightly bigger sunny patch a lacebark is thriving

Kiokio, palm tree fern, Blechnum novae zelandiae, is flourishing along here too.

The pathside vegetation is getting scrubbier, mainly gorse and bracken.

Ahead of us the track continues with no signpost, but to the left is the Incline Track

And we're headed down. A piece of tanalised railing ahead serves to steady us as we find our feet. We meet a party heading up, with a small, white and fiercely protective dog, and the general consensus is that I have chosen the correct direction.

There's one reason I prefer overcast days for tramping - several actually - but a major one is the absence of the kind of glaring dapple shade seen here. Mind you, I can use a swallow of water, and I haven't had lunch yet so maybe I'm just getting grumpy.

This photo doesn't do justice to the track's steepness. However it does give me a loook at some ferns I was too busy picking my way along to notice.

A small patch of pale blue dianella berries catches my eye, but I'm not up to an accurate focus, sad to say.

We're still descending quite steeply

A patch of umbrella fern stands out. i'm inclined, myself to call it the Avondale Spider fern.

I go in for a close shot.

As charitable as I can be, it's still scrubby vegetation. I wouldn't bother again unless it was the shortest way to get somewhere else.

We're still heading down fairly steeply. I am beginning to be alarmed about the 19 kg I am carrying and how I am going to get them back up. Fortunately, I have no idea of what the Slip Track has in store or I would be shitting myself. In any case we're down to at most 18kg, now, as I've drunk and sweated at least a litre.

The vegetation is becoming lusher

Also, the track is beginning to level out and change direction slightly.

It's not happening. Back to steep and rutted.

However, I am beginning to hear the sound of flowing water not far below.

There it is, and the path begins to turn to the left somewhat. Up ahead is a bridge.

Bridge shots are cliches, but what the heck...

Now that's different track to be walking

And here we are at the road

Fatman time to get here from the Scenic Drive, downhill, 80 minutes.

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Track Reports

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Brief Track Notes: WAITAKERE RANGES

NORTH ISLAND

SOUTH ISLAND

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Fitness Building for the Elderly and Stout

Food for Tramping

General Advice:
Specifically oriented to the Heaphy Track but relevant to other long walks for beginners and older walkers

New Zealand Plants
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Links to Tramping Resource Websites

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