09 March 2014

Oroua headwaters from the Ngamoko Range


I got back last night from a tough trip over the Ngamoko Range to Ngamoko hut. Usually I wouldn't consider it particularly difficult, but this time I felt unusually lethargic and the track from the tops down to the hut was appallingly overgrown, making safe travel far slower than usual. A headache that came and went and returned didn't help, either. Still, the effort had substantial compensations, not the least being views like this. Sadly, I again saw no whio in the river near the hut, but I did have close encounters with three deer on or near the track on the way down.


[8 March 2014, Olympus OM-D EM-1, Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm at 100mm, ISO 200, 1/1250 at f/5.6]

All content © 2014 Pete McGregor

9 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

That sounds suspiciously as if you are coming down with something. Take care of yourself. Please.
And yes, that view is heart stopping and would compensate for a lot.

Ngā Hau said...

Kia ora
I'm curious, have you ever seen any Whio there?
Cheers:)

pohanginapete said...

Thanks EC. I've been taking it easy today, and I'm starting to feel my energy returning.

Kia ora Christine. Yes, I usually see whio in the river at Ngamoko hut (as well as elsewhere in the Pohangina headwaters), but have missed them on the last two occasions. I assume they're elsewhere in the river rather than having come to harm, particularly because stoat trapping has been ongoing for several years now in the Pohangina.

Relatively Retiring said...

Beautiful light, and a wonderfully dramatic view.
Glad you got home safely.

pohanginapete said...

Thank you, RR. Feeling much livelier today.

Jono said...

Lovely shot Pete. making me a bit homesick.

I am planning a wee jaunt in the Ruahine after Easter so will give you a bell.

Jono

pohanginapete said...

That'd be great, Jono. Look forward to hearing from you.

Ruahines said...

Kia Ora Pete,
Glad you persevered e hoa...moments like this make the effort so worthwhile, even when the footsteps are not quite so easy. Are you meaning the track from the tops down to Ngamoko? John and I planning a jaunt as well very soon. Will keep you posted just in case.

pohanginapete said...

Kia ora Robb. Yes, that's the track. Not quite as difficult going back up, but it still makes the going slow. I'd love to catch up with you and John again, so please keep me in the loop.