Pouakai Tarn At Night

I've been wanting to do a night climb on a moonlit night to Pouakai tarn for a while but the weather just hasn't been suitable. Last night was cloudy again and I had given it up as a lost cause until I woke at 1:40am and saw the mountain clear and bold under the full moon. So after hastily stuffin my camera gear into my pack I was off, leaving the end of Mangorie road around 2:20am.

It was a beautiful clear cold night and a wonderful tramp under the moonlight. I arrived on top of the Pouakais about 4:00am to be greated by the most spectacular view of Taranaki with the Southern Cross just skimming the top of the mountain. It was about -2degC making the track frosty and treacherous on the board walk. It was incredibly still, one of the calmest nights I've experienced on top of the Pouakais.

A panorama with the full moon on edge of frame, the Hump, Taranaki, Henry and Maude peaks on the left. Ruapehu can just be made out on the horizon between Henry and Maude peaks.

After taking these shots, I headed down towards the tarn, having to take my time because of the icy steps. As I was heading to the tarn I could see the mist rising up in from of the mountain but arrived at the tarn in time to take about 5 photos before the cloud came up and blocked off. I waited for a couple of hours in the cold hoping it would clear again but apart from a couple of tantalizing glimpses of the partially obscured summit.