page 2

Mangakura Nature Walk

Supplejack (karaeo) is also prominent here.

We reach the point where the tramping track takes off, and the sign suggests we are about 15 minutes from the car, some twenty minutes short of the hour's walk we had promised ourselves, so we turn off to see what it's like and possibly mark it down for a later trip.

It's pretty rough and tree rooty for a start, then as it takes off up the ridge, a series of well constructed steps helps us along. Those who know my general dislike of steps will note that either I am getting fitter or these are a better class of step altogether. Clue: I'm not that much fitter.

(Observant persons will note that Miranda's top is now red instead of turquoise. This is because it's actually become bloody cold in here and we have polarfleece tops stowed in the daypack for just this sort of event. Later on this trip, coming up the desert road, we pass Mt Ruapehu in brilliantly clear sunshine and watch as the entire mountain becomes shrouded in thick cloud inside 5 minutes as we drive north. If you'd been up there in fine weather gear, you'd have been in major trouble. An American tourist died nearby on the Tongariro Crossing only a month or so ago for just this reason.)

We emerge briefly into the open on the side of the ridge with splendid views across a valley. We have climbed some, not much by alpine standards, but enough to appreciate our reward.

The track is narrow, but straightforward, and obviously well-maintained.

We decide to place this track on the longterm agenda.

Beside us is a massive tawa.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

We head up a little further before deciding to call it a day. There is still some way to go. There are moments on the way down when the steps take on a personality of their own.

The nicest thing about these compared with, say, the work of the Okura stepmeister, is their regularity. You don't have a fresh decision to make every time you put your foot down. I am still sufficiently top heavy to appreciate small details like these.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

We reach the walking track again and head across the bridge and back towards the car.

It's still worth a minute or two just admiring the crystal clear water.

I'm not sure whether this is a pukatea or not - I can't see any leaves - but the buttresses around the base of the trunk suggest it might be.

We pass another couple of giants as we begin to head back up the hill.

and one that might be bigger than either. I turn the camera on a diagonal to get as much of the trunk in as possible.

We reach the car and look out onto the fog that still blankets much of our trip ahead. This has been a worthwhile detour, to see a much older piece of New Zealand bush than you will normally find, and I'm not kidding - cold apart, you can walk it in your shopping clothes and shoes. It's that easy.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

Thanks for your company on another walk.