8 - 12 November 2007

From the Psychotic to the Sublime

The Lake Waikaremoana Track

Day 1, Page 5

The chainsaw team must be a bit like the Auckland Harbour Bridge painting gang - finish at one end and go back to the beginning.

We head out towards the bluff again, not too close, and the cloud is definitely burning off.

For a while I cruise on along a relatively "civilised" piece of track

Another visit to the edge, a little too close for me to be thoroughly comfortable but I sidle past, pausing en route at a comfortable spot for a photo. God, that's a long way down.

This piece of lichen appears to be involved in a reproductive process of some kind, but I am not knowledgeable enough at present to do more than enjoy the colour contrast.

I sit down for a bit, drop the pack and hunt around for some fruit leather and I've been there just a few minutes and Miranda arrives. I ask her how the new haircut is faring in the still slightly chilly, slightly clammy atmosphere, but she is delighted with it. She's made excellent progress up the hill and is enjoying herself.

She produces a thermos and the stay extends a little before we shoulder packs again and continue. Dakin arrives and moves on ahead. Lesleigh is still on her way a little behind him. Miranda pauses to take in a bit of scenery.

Here's the first bumshot of the expedition. I rather like the contrast - and the context - that the small patch of blue provides in my track photos.

I am beginning to dread these moments when the track disappears and all I can see is sky and a DoC triangle pointing straight ahead.

I bring my attention back to the ground in front of me and make my way past.

Wide open spaces again, but this time not as close. All the way along here we are within a few metres of the edge of the bluff, but not so as to cause me any worries for the most part.

The track is much more level, but still calls for attention, and, when you have to lift your feet just that little bit higher each step, it asks just a little bit more of you, all the time. It's small but it's cumulative.

We continue, and the trees are getting mossier

in all sorts of different ways.

The grey grass - or sedge ?- is becoming more prevalent. I think I recall reading somewhere - Allan Esler, perhaps - that there are very few true grasses to be found in indigenous forest in New Zealand. A few fronds of Blechnum procerum are also present, and very common along the way.

No question, the vegetation is changing dramatically as we continue a gentle climb.

I'm feeling more energetic after a bite to eat and we are making reasonable speed.

The dappled light is quite beautiful. It's definitely bluetop outside

I am getting a little more used to seeing things a long way down, but the back of my knees are never quite comfortable with this.