Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey continues following close to the lake apart from a couple of low saddles and one moderate one, before we reach the turquoise waters of Whanganui from where we catch a small boat back across the lake to Onepoto and head back down the valley to Wairoa.
Today's Journey
 |
A spectacular sunrise at Marauiti. Most of the cloud has cleared and mist rises from the lake on this cold morning. |
 |
We depart the hut not long after sunrise heading around a point before crossing over a few low saddles. |
 |
Dense forest fills the low saddles we cross. |
 |
View across the calm lake to the Panekire Range, now quite a long way away and still covered in cloud. There isn't any snow on the range, but a lot would have fallen on the volcanoes further inland. |
 |
After resting at Waiharuru Hut we cross another saddle beside the Puketukutuku Peninsula kiwi refuge as the sunlight filters through the wet forest. |
 |
Upon descending the other side of the saddle, we pass Tapuaenui Campsite and follow the shores of Whanganui Inlet towards its head. |
 |
Reaching out pickup point near the back of Whanganui Inlet where we rest for about an hour before the boat arrives. |
 |
Passing under the Panekire Range as we speed across the lake. Bald Knob is the dominant peak in the middle. |
 |
Reaching the end of the lake at Onepoto, where we started hiking from a few days ago. The water here is crystal clear, covering much of the enormous landslide which blocked the valley forming the lake about 2200 years ago. |
 |
Heading back down the road along the landslide back towards Wairoa where we stay the night. Water from the lake is fed into the Tuai Power Station viewed beside the small lake below. |
|
