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Waitakere Dam and Tramway Track

We stop off at the waterfall chute on the way back and have another go at cappturing its essence

The pungas down below are obviously thriving in the environment provided by the spray.

Miranda notices a smooth rock in the middle of it all.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

We carry on.

I've forgotten the name of this plant. It looks as if it should be an introduced weed like inkweed or polygonum, but it's a native. It's thriving where it is here, and lifts the slight drabness along this part of the track.

Now the hard work starts. Miranda takes off her warm jersey - she reckons she'll be warm enough in short order. Up the hill, a few steps at a time. This is probably where I need to do some of my more serious training for next year.

Round the corner at the top and we start back up the tarseal. My sticks are useful, but on the hard seal I can notice the jolting as I put each one down.

Miranda heads on up at a fast clip. She's in better shape than I am and enjoying herself. Part way she heads off to the right to check out a big kauri, and is waiting to show me when I front up some minutes later.

It's a beauty all right, and even bigger close up.

For all I'm starting to ache a little, we've only been gone about three hours maximum. It's been a good workout. The uphill section of tarseal gets my heart rate up without any trouble and I can build up a comfortable steady pace all the way up, though I do stop for a swig or two of water here and there.

Back to the parking area with it's grafitti, and a google search later provides maybe enough info to sheet this one home.

Cheers. See you next time.