Sunrise At Pouakai Tarn

We had an early fall of snow on the mountain this week, heavy enough that it also covered the top of the Pouakai ranges. Despite the forecast for ongoing stormy weather, I had a hunch that the mountain might just clear up briefly in the morning of 12th April. Keen to get some sunrise photos from Pouakai tarn with the fresh snow I set off from home at 3:30am with a pack full of camera gear and several layers of warm clothing as I also had a hunch that it may be bitterly cold on top of the ranges. As I left the car at the start of the track at around 4:00am, the ranges were clear of cloud though there was still thick cloud over the mountain.  The milky way stood out clearly as I headed off into the bush. 

Two hours later I was on top of the ranges walking through the fresh dusting of new snow with perfectly clear skies above and this stunning view of Taranaki opening up before me. There was a bitterly cold southerly wind so every item of clothing I had in my pack pretty quickly ended up on my body.

 The wind was gusting so strongly that it blew my tripod over. I had difficulty taking these long exposure shots as the wind was hitting me so hard as I tried to hold the tripod down that it still caused it to shake a bit, consequently this dawn shot of the mountain and the one below of the New Plymouth city lights on the coast are not as sharp as they should be.

After a few attempts taking these photos, my fingers got so numb that I couldn't work the camera anymore so I gave up, put some nice thick mits on to warm my hands back up and headed down to the Pouakai tarns for sunrise.

The following two shots show the predawn colours from the large and smaler tarns respectively.  The wind was not as severe at the tarns (I could actually use my tripod safely) but still far too strong for any hope of reflections in the water.

The sun lighting the top of the mountain from the smaller Pouakai tarn but not yet over the horizon from where I was standing.

Sunrise over the small tarn with Maude peak to the right.

A most beautiful sunrise, fresh snow, clear mountain, what else could you ask for.

Back at the larger tarn, peaks from left to right are, Maude peak, Henry peak, Taranaki and The Hump. I was rushing so quickly to take this shot that I forgot that the walkway was iced over and so took a a heavy tumble - but I kept my camera gear safe!!!

The sun rising higher above the large tarn.

The sun lighting up the fresh snow and the golden tussock  - just beautiful.

Looking back towards the tarns from near the top of the Pouakai plateau. You can see the tarn glistening in the sun almost directly underneath the sun.

Looking down over the Sugarloaf Islands and the port from the Pouakai Plateau.

Pouakai peak in the distance - top of the ranges.

A last look at the mountain before it was time to go.  See the wisps of cloud moving in.  An hour after this the mountain and the top of the ranges were both covered in cloud.  By the time I got back down to the car it was just starting to rain. A stunning sunrise captured in a brief window of opportunity.

A Cold Wind Blowing Through

Fresh snow and the sun rising
over an alpine lake at dawn
a biting southerly blowing through
the mountain standing clear.

Existence revealing her beauty
with unbelievable clarity

Then sweeping it away
behind a bank of cloud
to reveal another aspect of herself
another face of the divine reality.

These revelations are growing in me,
one upon another

Cold wind touching my soul
stripping away the dead leaves
leaving only beauty behind.