Winter in New Zealand: Part II

Laura and I planned on hiking the Karangahake Gorge in the Kaimai mountain range but the raindrops on our roof told a different story. We crawled out of bed Saturday morning and debated what to do in the rain. The weather forecast showed that the Kaimai range was in clouds all day, but the west coast would get periods of sun, so we set off toward Raglan.

Stop 1: Bridal Veil Falls walk.

We reached the carpark shortly after the rain let up. There were a few Kiwi's and various tourist on the trail. Most of them were bundled up in their winter coats, hats and gloves.

The walk to the falls was very well maintained, and after only 20 minutes of walking we reached the top. The sun broke through just enough for us to see a rainbow that formed in the mist.

The path wound around to the bottom so we followed it down. Caught some great views midway and at the bottom.

After walking back to the car, we ate a brief lunch and headed in the direction of Te Toto Gorge. On the map, all the roads were marked out with the same road symbol, but Laura will tell you that they are not all equal. My adventurous spirit led our honda along a road around a montain, in hopes of seeing some good scenery.

In addition to some scenery we had to swerve around boulders in the road and drive slowly for fear that our car would break apart! Apparantly as you get away from the cities, all the roads are unpaved and rough. Laura captured this image of an escapee sheep that was on the road.

When we got to Te Toto Gorge, the wind amazed us. We wanted to hike down to the coastline, but one step against the wind made us change our minds. Te Toto gorge is along the coastline and it looks as if the whole area has just sunken into the ocean.

Stop #3- Raglan

We finally reached paved roads as we approached Raglan, but not before we forded a stream. The drive to Raglan from the Southwest takes you past some really beautiful coastline. If you google "the best left hand break in the world", many of the results will mention Raglan. Some surfers bobbed in the tide, waiting to catch the perfect wave, but our hunger drove us onward, toward town.

We finally reached Raglan and after a coffee, we took a walk along the beach. Laura also mentioned to find a playground to bring out her inner child. (not sure if the springy horsey had a weight limit, but i didn't test it)

On our way out of town, we grabbed some greasy fish and chips for dinner, but given that we had spent the day in the blowing cool weather, it was a feast.

We vowed to return when better weather returns, maybe with some visitors (did I mention it has the best left hand break in the world Brian?)

Winter in New Zealand

Greetings faithful blog followers...it really must be frustrating trying to follow our blog since updates come sparsly and sporadically. Laura tried to blog about our few hiking trips, but lost the connection...and the unfinished blog, got frustrated and hasn't attempted since.

So here I am picking up the pieces. This post will be the first of a three part series about three of our weekend adventures during winter in the Waikato.

Trip #1- Wairere falls.

Laura and I were excited to get out of the shack for our first real tramping experience. We loaded up the car with lunch, fuel and directions to Wairere falls and the Matamata hots springs (you lord of the rings followers would know this as Hobbiton). Jorg and Jackie reccomended staying off the beaten track and instead following the twisty, windey Scottsman Valley Road. The views on the way were stunning, but the journey had Laura wishing for Dramamine.

When we arrived at the base of the trail, the sign said "4 hours to the summit". We were eager to get to it after the car ride. The trail first led us up a boulder strewn fan, that jutted out from the mountains. We were surrounded by large smooth boulders, some of them nearly perfect spheres. The treck got more and more difficult as we ascended to the first view point of the falls.

As we climbed, the trek got increasingly steep and difficult. Along the way I pointed out some of New Zealand's common flora. There were several different species of Ferns, including a few varieties of tree ferns. Also a few Nikau palm trees. Because the weather pattern in the area blows the warm moist air up the mountains, the area gets huge amounts of rain so it supports a temporate rain forest. The climate changes vastly just over the summit where the air draws the moisture like a wick. I think the term is rain shadow.

Anyhow, the trail turned from steep to steeper, till Laura and I were using our hands nearly as much as our feet. We arrived at the viewpoint with muscles twitching and sweat pouring off of us. A great opportunity to breath in the cool moist air and enjoy the fantastic view of the falls.

After a few failed attmpts at a timed camera shot to get us both in, we finally got one that was adequate. The break was just enough for us to forget how tough the journey up was, and it only took a little persuasion for me to convince Laura to do the hour side trip to the falls summit. We may regret it later, but we didn't come this far just to turn back.

The trail from the view point to the summit was every bit as difficult as the journey up...possibly more, with constant handholds and switchbacks. On the way up, we caught a few glimpses of the vast grasslands of the Waikato. It streatched out below us like a giant green carpet.

The pastures bordered by fenses and a lazy river flowing through. No wonder that this area is one of the best places in the world for Ryegrass.

The path wound up and around till we didn't know if we were going toward the summit, or across the range. Soon we spotted the river. The path followed it and when we could distinguish the roar of the falls ahead Laura pumped her arms in true Rocky style.

The view from the top was amazing. The Dept. of Conservation had built a platform that stretched nearly to the edge of the falls so that we could get a good view of the water plumeting over the cliff, disapearing in a dull roar somewhere below, well out of our sight.

We enjoyed the strong breeze, and it quickly cooled us off. The view from the top was cut short when the sky let loose with a few warning drops. Laura and I decided that it was time for our decent. We clamboured back down the mountain...at a rate that could be described more of a controlled fall than a decent.

Back at the car, we dove into our lunches. We were both over ready for it. The lunch Laura had packed really hit the spot, even if it was a mite too healthy for my taste.

We drove back to Matamata and quickly found the hot pools that Jorg and Jackie had reccomended to us. We quickly figured out why they were "rarely packed". The hot pools were quite run down and sketchy, but alas it was too late. We had come too far not to try a dip. Despite the terrible condition they were in, the water was relaxing. Rain drove us, once again, back to the car.

On the way out of town we snapped a photo for all you lord of the rings fans. As we drove home, it felt good to be back in the shire.