Favourites so far from the Coromandel…

by admin | Sep 3, 2019 | Landscape, Sea-scape, Tramping and exploring

The Coromandel has some of the most spectacular spots in the whole of New Zealand. From white sand beaches and coves to entrancing waterfalls there is a feast of scenery to take your fancy.

Below is a slide show of some of my favourites. If you fancy a copy of one of them for your place take note of the file name at the bottom left and drop me a line about the next step. Easy as…

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Tongariro National Park wanders April 2019..

by admin | May 19, 2019 | Landscape, Mountains, Tramping and exploring

Anytime we have the opportunity to visit Tongariro National Park it is looked forward to at least a month beforehand. This is partly decided by the availability of our fav book-a-batch but this time it was totally booked up so had to make a change around but ended up all good.

Usually we plan a tramp where we haven’t wandered before to create new imaging and try a new challenge. So this time it was up whats called ‘Hardmans Ridge’ which for us the start and finish was the carpark for the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Its best to have some one drop you off so thats where family are very handy.

After starting there its up to Mangatepopo hut which is a small way up the crossing track and to the left. Going around the hut its down across the Mangatepopo Stream and up the sidling to reach the start of ‘Hardmans Ridge’. From here we were to follow the ridge line in almost a direct line towards Tongariro summit but before the base of Tongariro we followed GPS cordinates running on a gentler line to the north until we reached a small flat crater to the north of Tongariro. By this stage , about 5 hours or so, looking at the steeper climb over the volcanic rocks to the summit and approaching sunset a deviation to the Emerald Lakes on the crossing track was deemed a better solution as we were a bit over scrambling up lose rocks etc. Bah to that. Even so it was still some cross country down a gully and across another crater to get to the lakes. Most of the tramping so far was over volcanic rocks which dont make for the best hiking with a decent pack with camera gear on. And was also was voted the bunny of the day when muscle cramps did their thing just betfore the lakes so some hasty water drinking to rehydrate was in order.Gee that really hurts like crazy. Pity didn’t have any electrolytes. Have remedied that issue for next time.

Dinner was had at the lakes- some stew and potatoe with strawberry ice cream for pudding. Amazing what you can get with dehydrated meals.

To get back to our collection point at the carpark mean’t now climbing Red Crater which is 190 meters of scrambling up what seems like a loose mettle dump. Nearly blew a valve on that one… After summiting Red Crater – that sounds silly – its a wander in the park all the way down. Actually really pleasant as it was so still, totally dark with no moon light and nobody to be seen. Awesome…

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This image is a screen shot from my phone with the GPS hiking app that we use to track our route and also to double check where we are in case the weather closes in and visibality becomes non existant. Very handy. You can see our track where we deviated from the crossing track at Mangatepopo and up the ridge which isn’t named on this map as its all off trail. Actually it makes a nice round track appart from ‘Hardmans Ridge’ which lives up to its name…

The view of Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu from Harmans Ridge about two thirds of the way up. You can see the lava flows on the side of Ngauruhoe and also the alpine plants are just fantastic. You really have to not step on them…

A panoramic made of the lower Emerald Lake just after sunset with the sunset glow still going on. You can make out the Alpine Track on the centre left heading into the distance which up to a thousand people give or take hike every day if conditions are right. Not much growing here…

One of the Emerald Lakes looking back at the steep ascent we made to the top of the Red Crater at top right. The whole thing is like climbing up a big mettle pile…two forward and one back. Phew…

From left to right the first two are bush scenes from National Park. Next is the Mangawhero Falls on the Turoa skifeild access road and lastly the Mahuia Rapids.

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The treasures of Taranaki North…

by admin | Mar 13, 2019 | Landscape, Sea-scape, Tramping and exploring

The coastline of Taranaki and the mountain itself are some of New Zealands most spectacular natural features. Its easy to see the mountain when he stands over the country side but there are some other hidden treasures as well.

Have made a gallery to promote and show case some of therse. To view a image large just click on it. All these images are available as a canvas print or a fine art reproduction for you to frame. Just contact me with the form at the bottom with a description of the image you would like and will be right back to you…

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The Tongaporutu boulders

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The Tongaporutu boulders Taranaki north

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The Tongaporutu boulders or spheres

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Sea wall at Tongporutu

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The spheres of Taranaki at sunset at Tongaporutu

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The boulders or spheres at Tongaporutu

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The Taranaki spheres or boulders at sunset

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The Tongaporutu boulders at sunset

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Tongaporutu sea stack

Coromandels hidden gems…

by admin | Apr 28, 2018 | Landscape, Sea-scape, Tramping and exploring

Many of the well known and photographed spots in the Coromandel always have plenty of visitors coming and going, like the famous Cathedral Cove and the Hot Water Beach, among others. But there is much more to be seen, it just takes some looking and a bit of dumb luck to find your way to a spot outside of common local knowledge. This coastal route is one of those hidden gems, as a coastal reserve that does not have a DOC maintained access track. Consequently, some common sense is required when navigating the steep bluffs and natural tree root steps, with old rope used for steeper sections. All in all, it is a 3-4 hour round trip if you want to get to the long beach which passes two other bays that might make their own peaceful stopping points. The further you go the less evidence of humans you will find. The easiest way to travel to this spot seems to be by boat as there are fisherpeople usually taking advantage of the plentiful rock formations in the area, which attract a decent number of fish for them to attempt to catch.

All of the above are illustrative iPhone images from the track.

Track markers from the first bay on are just orange bits of cloth tied to branches so do not look for the usual DOC pointy orange arrows. Also parts of what we shall call a route run against some fencing, rusty barbed wire included as well as low hanging Pohutakawa tree branches as well as the odd flax bush that tries to trip you up.

The point that i am making is its a bit of a challenge if you don’t get off trail much but the rewards are just stupendous. Have some common sense and you will be fine. Just be aware of the tides and weather forecasts.

Named this Spanner Rock as it seemed like a upside down spanner. Its a man thing…

Had to include a selfie, as you do. This is the second bay on the track going south, after this the long beach can be reached by scrambling up through some bush and then following a small track down a small ridge line.

This is Tokakahakaha Island. This beach is the reward for your track navigations where hopefully there is no one around.

Images from a previous trip. Funny how you keep coming back but then again its usually different each time so plenty to photograph and always new corners to explore.

With all these images just mouse click on them to bring up a larger image for viewing…

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Onemana coastal track...

This is the start point for the track. Don’t get lost…

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More wanders at National Park…

by admin | Jan 3, 2018 | Landscape, Mountains, Tramping, Tramping and exploring, Waterfalls

The joys of wandering around mountains…

“The best laid plans of mice and men.” Thats a quote that comes to mind after a bit of planning to be at a certain area for a natural event which cannot be delayed and what do you know but the usual suspect called clouds come along to add their contribution. Bah…

The event was the supermoon arising last December and the plan was to image it rising over the upper Tama Lake at National Park beside Ngauruhoe. To get to the lakes involves a hike from the Chateau past Taranaki Falls and on to the lakes. Thats about 17km return which is not far off doing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing although there isn’t the major height to scale. Neverless the scramble up the steeper section once you reach the lower Tama lake vantage point can be a bit of a scramble carrying 18 kilos of photog gear and a bit of dinner and warm stuff for the night treck back.At least there was no wind which this area is renowned for as wandering with a heavy pack you do get pushed around a tad and on exposed ridges it pays to keep your focus on what is around you.

As is usual for these tramps you get to one seemingly end point and there is still another climb to go up…then another. Just love these character building exercises. But apart from the usual grumbles form the usual suspect the rewards to tend to pay off…mostly sometimes.The view point for the Upper Tama Lake eventually arrives into view and its really not bad. There is nothing like standing on a upper knoll with a half decent view to take in the grand vista. From Ngauruhoe past the lake around to Ruapehu past the lower Tama Lake and around to Taranaki in the distance to the west its not bad really. Almost time for a beer if i had brought one but had to function on some green tea and bush honey instead with the usual snacks while getting the bearings for this supermoon event. Its relatively easy today to plan this stuff with the apps we have to the point that i know exactly where the moon will rise between two ridges across the lake. Awesome …that plan is working but the early warning signs of a bit of cloud start to show. Hmmmm.

This is the Lower Tama lake from the vantage point just before the climb up the ridge behind for the Upper lake. To get down there would be a decent side trip assuming you could find a good route. There is no marked track down so the assumption would be that going down is not encouraged. To explore this area more it would make sense to camp out…

But to even get to this place a lot has happened regarding the planning. Apart from just getting there the list of stuff in the bag has a few ticks –

food and water with small stove
maps and gps tramping app on phone to trace the route with spare power pac for recharging
thermal layers
alpine wet jacket and leggings
first aid kit including shock blanket and insect repellant – herbal of course
and most important – a personal locator beacon!

The gps is really handy to know where you are and how much further especially at night time where you lose the terrain as a reference.

The upper Tama lake colour is just striking against the volcanic terrain around Ngauruhoe and the plan was for the moon to arise to the right of the ridge on the right hand side of Ngauruhoe. I have a app for that…haha.

So now comes the cloud bank from the north east which is from where the moon will be rising. Bugger…to put it mildly. So plan B then. Often watching the clouds around Ngauruhoe just before sunset they can gather as if a small storm is brewing but after sunset they seem to magically disappear. That is useless for capturing the moon rise beside Ngauruhoe so back we go. And must mention that the insect repellant sure was handy with the clouds of flies around at dusk. Not sure why but the alpine flowers were out so that may have something to do with it.

Anyways was just hoping for something on the trail back and this is what i got. Pays to look behind aye…

Ngauruhoe shines under the Supermoon now that the clouds have stopped ruining the party….

But also apart from hiking 17 odd kms for that Supermoon shot there were other things to be checking on. The chairlift had just started for the summer season up the skifeild from the top of the bruce so for $30 odd bucks plus food money it was a bit of a change instead of tramping to get high for a view…pity about the hordes of sandflies. The air was thick with them as well as the last of the snow were covered with dead ones. Yay for herbal insect repellent.

Its really worth the dollars to get up there but no Ruapehu climb this trip. When the snow is melting that creates a under melt situation where the snow seems firm but if you put your weight on it you can sink like a stone into a cavity underneath. Not great with a heavy photog backpack. Next time then…

On the road up to the Chateau on the left are the Tawhai Falls which compared to Tama Lakes is a doddle really. But all the same as falls they are still worth visiting but be prepared to be surrounded with a few others.

Photographically speaking found getting a image that was pleased with was proving to be problematic so opted for the tried and true system of whats called bracketing three shots – one correct exposure, one at 1 stop under and one 1 stop over exposed – which when combined in whats called High Dynamic Range software gives far more latitude. The idea is that the camera cannot capture the full range of details between light and dark so by doing it this way you try to show what the eye sees rather than blown out highlights or black blacks with no detail. The challenge with this system is to keep it looking realistic to the very important person the viewer…

Here”s my attempt …

Tawhai Falls on the road to the Chateau…

One other item on the agenda was trying to get a half decent shot of Mount Taranaki from National Park. This has been alluding me for yonks and mountains being mountains the frustrations with getting a shot comes as part of the territory.

A last ditch attempt was made to rush around to the Turoa skifeild as there was a really good chance of getting a shot at that altitude without much cloud. Ha…so what comes down as sunset comes closer- you guessed it – a nice thick ceiling of cloud. Hung around a bit longer to try and gauge whether it was coming or going then just threw the toys out of the cot and headed back down the skifeild access road. But wait…on the way down came out from under the cloud level and here was Taranaki with a magical sunset going on behind. What awesome luck…pulled off on a hairpin bend, out came the 200mm lens and a gap in the trees and this is the result…just pure magic.

To get the layers running up to Taranaki then layers in the clouds was just over the top.

Said a BIG thank you for that one…its really satisfying when it just all comes together after so many attempts [ and beers ].

Mount Taranaki from the Turoa skifeild access road…

Also Ruapehu looks good from any angle really.

Using crop lines just makes for another dimension with this shot…

Ruapehu with crop lines…

On the way north on the Desert Road just before the summit there are these Ruapehu Hebe”s growing in this grainy volcanic material and have many a time said to myself “must stop and photograph them”.

This time i did.

The way these plants survive in that climate and in that growing substance makes them a stand out. Ngauruhoe also makes for a special back study.

Every stay at National Park brings up something new or a different light shows things in a different way. Photographing in mountains is always going to have its challenges but if you persevere the rewards are there…you just have to look.

Ruapehu Hebe plants beside the Desert Road…

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National Park wanders…

by admin | Sep 2, 2017 | Landscape, Mountains, Tramping, Tramping and exploring

Home » Landscape » Category: "Tramping and exploring"

National Park or Natty Park as the locals call it is does have what seems as its particular weather all to its self. At one time the mountain ski field at Turn can be clear but then at Whakapapa its all socked in with cloud. No wonder there is two fields to choose from. At least one of them hopefully is open during a normal winter with changeable weather.

Was sort of lucky to get some lower level snow on the trails which gives some great contrast and having such socked in weather meant that the crossing wasn’t happening so there were more people wandering about looking for alternative sights. Jus some just don’t follow the code of no jeans in the changeable weather which is a bit of a no no. They get wet and you get cold…

Anyways this is a collection from this visit. All are available with out the watermark and if you want to see BIG just click on the image and it opens in a lightbox.