8-12 November 2007

From the Psychotic to the Sublime

The Lake Waikaremoana Track

Day 3, Page 4: Waiopaoa to Marauiti

I make it back to the turnoff, and head round to the left. Here's another small flower that will feature often along the way

There's another sturdy bridge to cross.

I'm just heading off down the path and I hear a yell from Dakin. He's got the boat moored just along the way and there's been no sign of Lesleigh. I think they got wires crossed about meeting times. At any rate he heads off up towards the Falls to meet Lesleigh and Miranda.

And about another hour after that, plus an allowance for fatman time.

I head on, making a good pace, and definitely grateful not to be carrying a full pack.

More open grass.

and here's yet another manifestation of the roundwood idiot(s), the policy maker(s) at DoC who decided that track repairs should be made with short lengths of roundwood culled from local debris. Whenever a tramper can find a way of not using them (s)he does so. Over and again I've documented that simple fact.

I pass the turnoff to the campsite. Not many tents around at present - perhaps still a touch cold.

Here's an unholy combination - bush lawyer to hold you in place while the nettle goes to work.

I love these little bridges. They represent the difference between a friendly track and one you have to dot every "i" on.

The lovely sweep of kiokio

I should sit down and get this name straightened out. It's such a pervasive companion on this trip. I'd guess it's Blechnum blechnoides except that Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth describe it as absent from the eastern North Island, which is where we are.

The lake is a constant companion along here, sometimes right in front of us and mostly visible through afringe of scrub.

Here's a beech flower

We carry on beside the lake. As the sun gets higher, the dapple shade is welcome.

Obviously professional landscapers at work.

Another fern I can't yet identify.

Onwards

Must get wet along here sometimes.

I could easily sit down here for a few minutes, and I do.

If life sends you nettles, make nettle soup. Very nourishing advice. I keep half a lookout for these whenever the track gets a bit narrow and the trackside vegetation begins to brush against bare legs. A brief glance at J.T Salmon suggests it is Urtica incisa rather than the garden weed, Urtica dioica.