Whatipu is within the Waitakere Ranges and is an hour north west of Auckland. Manukau Harbour is at the entrance of this regional park. David and I spotted a shiny black fin close to the coast in the harbor and were told it was an orca. We parked and observed a mom and her baby frolicking in Manukau Harbour ---- What a majestic sight! That dot in the middle is an orca ---- sorry my camera was in my pack in the trunk.
The plan for the day was to connect 3 tracks --- Gibbons, Muir, Pararaha and then a couple miles along the Coastal Walkway. This was labeled as a Medium + tramp. In hindsight I suspect we should have paid attention to that + which means extra challenges. Hmmmmmmmmmmm
We tramped straight up the Gibbons Track along the Whatipu Coastal Cliffs. This was about 3.2 km and steep but very doable. Then we rounded the corner to the Muir Track which was a muddy, muddy, muddy steep descent to the wetlands. I slip slided my way from tree to tree --- hugging them with a love I never felt for a tree before. There was danger around every turn as the mud thickened and my hiking boots just slid beneath me. I questioned my sanity and tramping abilities as our leader for the day, Pam suggested I just descend at a normal speed -- my tentative steps were more risky -------Now my brain heard this over and over but would not transfer that message to my slippery tootsies. My mantra: "I am one with the mud ---- I am one with the mud"
Yes I am smiling as I make it to the bottom of Muir Track through the brush along with fellow hiker Simon.
Oh it's not tea time yet --- we have to use a chain and climb along the rock face.
As you can see from my pant legs we just tramped through knee high wetlands ---- No problem ---- O'K there may be a disadvantage to being 5'2" tall --
Here we are now walking through these tall reeds in the wetlands. I believe our fearless leader was taking a short cut to the coast --- I don't think we ever found Pararaha Track--- this looks harmless but the further in you get the deeper the water ---- this 5'2" waif was thigh high in water
Are you starting to see where maybe that little + sign ---- extra challenges was something to pay attention to?
We continued for a bit, climbed a small hill and were presented with the beauty of the black sand wild beaches of the western coast.
David with Pam, our leader for the day. Incredible beaches!! We walked along the coast for another couple of miles, enjoying the sand and the views. We were blessed with a warm day so those hiking pants dried without a hitch. David looks like he can't believe something -----
Here's a few more photos from the day --- cliffs--- wetlands ---- beach
What an adventure --- beauty --- strength ---- challenge
The Kiwi Way
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