Ernie's Track

Sunday morning I'm up early for a Hunua Ranges expedition. I start my Strava just after 0700.

The skies are clear as I arrive just before sun up, but Mangatāwhiri is buried beneath a blanket of fog. The walk starts at the dam face in pea soup.

It's magical, muddy, slippery, delicious. 

I've carried the long lens the full circumnavigation. It's not ideal in the thick forest of Te Ngā Herehere o Kōhukohunui – but worthwhile to snap some gorgeous miromiro | tomtit, kererū | wood pigeon, tauhou | waxeye, and tūī | parson bird. The fungi of Hunua are out in force too.

I spot a runner midway round – but no other humans until Piggott’s.

20 kilometres and 670 metres of ascent. Four hours flat.