Blog

I am constantly drawn to the beauty of Taranaki. This mountain dominates the Taranaki landscape and has always been a major presence in my life. Not only did I grow up in its shadow but have also had the great privilege to have spent much of my life exploring its slopes. My father was a keen climber and took my brother and I on many climbs and tramps on all sides of the mountain from a young age. In many ways, this mountain, Taranaki, is my spiritual home. It is the place I go to feel close to m …

I've been wanting to get some photos of Taranaki towering over the mist filled valleys for Otoraoa Rd for a while but the weather hasn't been too favourable until it suddenly cleared this week with a few fine cold clear mornings. Ideal for thick mist to settle in the river valleys and for the mountain to stand out clearly with a full covering of snow.I had to do a morning site visit to McKee production station on Thursday so set off a couple of hours early hoping that I would get the right condi …

With some fresh snow falling overnight and what like like a clear cold winter morning I headed out to Otaraoa Rd to see if I could get some dawn shots of Taranaki catching the first light from the morning sun.Unfortunately, though the mountain was clear, there was too much cloud on th eastern horizon lrgely obscuring the sunrise though it do break through briefly and illuminate the summit before disappearing behind the cloud. The temperature was 3degC, so not quite cold enough for a frost but pl …

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 …

After several days of blustery stormy weather, this morning dawned fine and clear in New Plymouth with Taranaki standing bold and clear on the horizon with a fresh dusting of spring snow. I headed out early to get some dawn photos of the mountain and then see what bird life might be about at the Waiwhakaio river mouth, one of the best spots near New Plymouth to see a wide variety of bird life.The sand dunes, with regeneratng natives, and clumps of boxthorn seems to provide great habitat for smal …