Pouakai Hut, Egmont N.P. March 2021
(Pouakai Tarns)
With an NZOIA assessment in the Pouakai Range only a few days away a sneak look around the range was in order. It would also allow me to "zone in" to the location as the bush is a little different to the Tararua. The numerous small drainages which are not big enough to show on the 20m contours were also going to be a worry for the very precise navigation that would be required for the assessment.
Leaving Mangorei Road end I was quickly off-track and heading toward the Mangorei Stream waterfall.
The fall is reaching following a fairly clear trap line.
Next to find was the remains Airspeed Oxford Mark 1 that crashed in 1942, but not found until 1974. Four RNZAF staff perished in the crash.
A rare moment of sky view. It's think bush in the Pouakai.
This wee male Miromiro (North Island Tomtit) hung around for a while, hoping for me to stir up some forest food for him.
Exiting from the Leatherwood at around 1,100m it was a quick stroll south to the Pouakai Tarns where I was lucky enough to get the classic Mt Taranaki reflection photograph (see above).
DoC is spending a massive sum constructing boardwalk along the fragile alpine environment between Pouakai Hut and the tarns.
From the tarns it's an easy 20 minute walk west to Pouakai Hut. With 10 construction workers and a small number of trampers, I had an entertaining evening at the hut, albeit was trying to study - weather, flora, fauna . . .
The evening view to the NW was stunning, and bode well for the coming weekend.
