Ernie's Track
May 11, 2025
May 11, 2025
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.
Miromiro | tomtit
Miromiro | tomtit
Miromiro | tomtit
Tauhou | waxeye
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.
Kakīānau | black swan
Kererū | wood pigeon
Fungi of the Hunua Ranges
I spot a runner midway round – but no other humans until Piggott’s.
20 kilometres and 670 metres of ascent. Four hours flat.
Upper Mangatāwhiri Reservoir
Upper Mangatāwhiri Reservoir Control Tower
Te Ngāherehere o Kōhukohunui pre-dawn
Te Ngāherehere o Kōhukohunui pre-dawn
Upper Mangatāwhiri Reservoir
Upper Mangatāwhiri Reservoir Control Tower