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The Pouakai circuit has become one of the most popular tramping routes in Egmont National Park and though it is promoted as a 2 day tramp it can easily be done in a single day taking 9 to 10 hours.  I first tramped this circuit in the 1970s with my father. In those days it was not really developed as a full circuit and the track over Henry peak was nothing more than a steep and treacherous mud slide.  I last tramped this route in March 2017. It really is a great route covering a w …

If we can’t see the beauty within existence then how can we recognise it within ourselves? If we haven’t realised our own beauty then how can we inspire it in others? It's true that there is much wrong in the world but it is also true that there is much that is right and despite the efforts of man we are still surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of this existence. The more we nurture that beauty then the more we nurture our own soul and the souls of those around us.&nb …

I was filling the kettle up and just as I closed the lid a caught a glimpse of this tiny praying mantis leaping into the kettle. I immediately fished him out and put him on a pot plant to let him dry out before taking him outside. He seemed none the worse for his dunking. Of course I took the opportunity to take some pictures.   When taking macro photos of such tiny insects (he's about 1cm long) it's difficult to get the depth of field so I use photo stacking. This involves taking …

On Sunday Iheaded off for a climb of Taranaki from the Stratford Plateau via curtis ridge. I've been wanting to make a climb up curtis ridge  for a few years now but have never quite managed to fit it in. Its an enjoyable route best done while there's still a good covering of snow so that you can get off the top of the ridge and traverse across onto the southern side of the mountain to complete the climb up into the crater. I last climbed this route in 1978 with my father though the climb I …

I've been itching to climb Taranaki again for a while but the weather has not been suitable when I've had the time. However this weekend the stars finally aligned delivering perfect conditions for a great snow climb. A recent snow fall and then a fine clear morning with virtually no wind or at least not until I got to the summit. I set out just after 4:00am by torchlight with the milky way standing out boldly stretched across the night sky. It was a beautiful morning with the dawn glow grow …