From the Psychotic to the Sublime

The Lake Waikaremoana Track

Day 1, Page 7

Some of these stepdowns are quite large, and I am grateful for the balance I get from my sticks. Nothing too demanding, but again, part of a continuing and cumulative call on my resources.

Back to a semblance of straightforward, but God, I'm getting sick of that grass.

Once again, I'm edging my ample way through. At least I can't fall out of this one, and if I fell forward I'd jam.

Another narrow bit, and suddenly I am in touch with a terribly black sense of humour about my role in all of this.

I am quite clear now that I am unlikely to get suicidal. The prospect of imminent death is not at all appealing. More tree roots and more scrambling. Great bloody walk indeed. Misprepresentation! Gross misrepresentation!

Suddenly, down by my feet is a small plant I haven't seen at all so far this trip, a Carmichaelia. Nothing like changing the subject.

Back into deep track management.

We emerge briefly from the forest into an open scrubby area. Lesleigh has caught us up some time back and now adds a touch of red to landscape shots.

More deep track. Almost speleological in fact.

I emerge brushing gritty clay off my front and sides, and Miranda, brushing my pack off, suggests that there is a way to reduce some of these problems and all it takes is a little discipline. I refer her to some recent studies on something called "metabolic disorder" which explain my condition perfectly and absolve me from responsibility.

Here's a wonderfully coloured specimen of Blechnum procerum, the small kiokio.

We're on our way downhill again. There are a number of gullies leading down to the bluff edge which we have to traverse en route to the hut.

I am conscious each time the track heads in the direction of the lake of a slight sinking feeling. How close do we approach to the edge this time?

Onwards and upwards. We've come a long way since Victorian times.

I continue to pick my way along. I've used up the 2 litres of water in my camelback and I'm onto the third litre in the camera bag. Don't know when I've tasted water as good.