Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me from Wairoa upstream along one of the branches of the Wairoa River to Onepoto at the natural dam of Lake Waikaremoana. From there I follow the main track up the spectacular Panekire Range, and follow the top of the ridge to Panekire Hut.
Today's Journey
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Bright red sunrise in the morning indicates bad weather is on the way. |
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We depart Wairoa in the late morning following the narrow road towards Waikaremoana. |
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After following the Wairoa, the Waiau and the Wakaretaheke Rivers upstream, the road moderately ascends into the mountains. |
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We eventually reach the top of the climb and turn off to the left towards the start of the Waikaremoana Track. |
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View of the lake shortly after starting the track. Waikaremoana is aptly called the lake of rippling waters. |
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We follow a steep climb along the ridge of the side of the Panekire Range, rising hundreds of metres above the lake. Part of the range on either side of the valley broke off in an enormous landslide to create the lake about 2200 years ago. |
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Climbing the range high above the lake. |
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Much of the track is about a hundred metres in from the edge of the cliff, passing through goblin beech forest. |
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We stop for another view from the edge of the range about 500 metres above the lake. |
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Reaching the highest point of the range at Bald Knob, nearly 600 metres above the lake. Here a southerly change comes through enveloping us in thick clound and cold rain. From here we hike through the weather to eventually reach Panekire Hut for the night. |
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