A view looking south from the ridge above Karekare. On the left are hills, dropping down to wetlands. Alongside the wetland runs a black sand beach. Rolling surf can be seen to the right. The sky is light grey cloud.

Looking out to Paratahi island from the beach. In the foreground is black sand and long grass. The sea is blue with white capped waves. The island is dark pointed rocks with a small amount of grass/ small plants growing on it.

Part of the track once you reach the beach. Black loose sand surrounded by various coastal grasses and plants.

An old small tunnel that you pass though on the track. The tunnel opening is surrounded by large Pohutukawa trees, smaller kawakawa and other plants.

Walked the recently reopened Zion Hill loop out at #Karekare this weekend (~3hrs). It's an uphill start for ~40mins to the top of the ridge, then fairly easy going after that. A couple of very small, shallow water crossings (easy to jump or rock hop), but may […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]

Original post on mastodon.nz

Today I took part in a river crossing course. It was held at #Wero whitewater park in Auckland, so not exactly a river, but definitely a water body with impressive flow.

The course is primarily aimed at people undertaking the Te Araroa Trail, but I think it's great for anyone thinking of doing […]

A view out over countryside with tree covered hills to the left. The township of Warkworth can be seen in the distance. State Highway 1 can be seen snaking through the fields to the right. There is a glimpse of water in the distance. The sky is blue with just a few small white clouds.

A small section of a muddy part of the trail. There were much larger sections of mud including going up/down hills. In this image tree roots can be seen on the side and the backs of two people ahead of me on the trail.

A warning sign in dark green with yellow writing. There is a blue image of a stick figure tramper on the left. The text says "Warning. The standard of the track beyond this point is 'tramping track' recommended for people with a moderate to high level of fitness and strong footwear. Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai"

A section of the track with a large number of tree roots criss crossing it. There are small ferns to he sides of the track. The legs of the person ahead can just be seen at the very top of the image.

If you're into #trampstodon with a lot of mud, then I've got the #tramp for you!

Just north of Warkworth at the top of Dome Valley is the Dome Forest Walkway. Initially it's a well formed, well maintained track up to the lookout (amazing views! No mud).

The […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]

Original post on mastodon.nz

A post for my #trampstodon #hiking friends - if you get blisters and/or 'hot spots' when out on your #walk you might want to try these merino toes socks from Creepers.
I was super sceptical, but several people in my #tramping group raved about them. I bought a pair and found they really do work […]

A gravel roadway with tree ferns either side and mossy ground. The sky is grey.

A small waterfall surrounded by large trees and ferns.

A dam spillway releasing excess water down the dam face. There are trees and ferns on the left and in the background.

Old tram rails with trees and ferns either side.

Yesterday was a mini #trampstodon to the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir (dam). It was drizzly rain and the waterfalls along the way put on an impressive show.
A fairly short track leads you to an access road that you walk down to the dam. It's a gradual incline so you […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]

A view through flax plants out to a bay with a rocky outcrop. The sky is grey clouds.

A mossy path through small trees and ferns.

A view out over a coastal vegetation with a bay to the right. In the distance on the right sits a large house, quite close to the shoreline.

Looking over long grass and a paddock fence out to the coast. The white of breakers is on the shoreline. The sky is filled with light grey clouds.

Went for a little 14km #trampstodon around #Tāwharanui Regional Park on the weekend. Rain and a biting cold wind made it a bit uncomfortable at times but enjoyable overall.
There are various tracks that wind up though farmland and though sections of native bush […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]

One of the stream crossings. A stream surrounded by trees and ferns.

A dirt track surrounded by tree ferns

A part of the trail where the pathway is across a large piece of rock

The tracks are maintained by volunteers, so very basic. In some places you need to look for the orienteering arrows to find the track. Depending on the route you take, there can be many stream crossings.
Personally I would recommend taking poles for this track […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]

A view out to a hill covered in trees and ferns. The white streak of a waterfall can be seen zig zagging down

A small waterfall surrounded by green ferns

Yesterday our #tramping group explored the Tanekaha tracks. Beautiful bush, waterfalls and the biggest Puriri tree I've ever seen.

Didn't get many photos, but check out the view of this series of waterfalls (the long thin white streak). Just amazing.

The […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]

A pair of legs in colourful floral leggings with hiking boots, sitting upon a reflective silver mat. Post these is short grass, a picnic table and in the distance the sea an island headland.

My #tramping group use those car sunshades that you put up in your front windows, as "sit-upons". They're non absorbent, light and pack down fairly small.
The best thing I found, while sitting in the fading light listening to bird calls, is that they reflect your […]

[Original post on mastodon.nz]