Kahikatea Tree

Ruben had a half-day at the clinic Thursday, so we picked a trail at nearby Mt. Pirongia. Our destination was the tallest native tree in New Zealand. The route started on the Nikau Walk path, next to the Waipa river, which we followed upstream. We had a mostly dry day Wednesday and Thursday morning was dry, too. We were racing the clouds and the daylight, but were determined to see that tree.

Carpark in Pirongia.

We were greatly encouraged by the start of this track. 

A couple of Ks into the run we came upon the entrance of the kaniwhaniwha caves.

We didn't have a torch with us so we didn't venture in.

 Immediately after the caves we transferred onto the Bell Track on our way to the kahikatea tree. The Bell track was very rough. In dry weather it might have been more runnable, but the day we were there it was muddy and the web of tree roots criss-crossing the track was extremely slippery. We soon gave up on keeping our shoes clean and sloshed right through the mud and puddles.

We had to leave the Bell Track and follow a small trail to this sign on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Waipa River.

The kahikatea tree! Ruben thought this was anticlimactic, even though it is 66.5 meters tall. The rain started to fall, so we took our picture and started back to the carpark. Ruben set a quick pace--he was over it.

Under the canopy it was dense and dark.

We thought we'd capture a glimpse of the river behind us with this pic, but it was too dark.

Trying to capture the trail conditions.

We stumbled and bumbled our way toward the carpark. And then it happened: Gayle's epic wipeout. Attempting to descend a short change in trail elevation that had several steps dug in around tree stumps, my feet went out from under me and I hit the ground. Hard. I slid, too, scraping up my right arm and right thigh. This did not make my day. I was muddy, sore, and frustrated for the rest of the run.

Emerging from the jungle in the rain. Ruben is trying hard to improve my mood.

In the river cleaning off the mud before the drive home.

Even in the rain this part of Pirongia is pretty!