Waitakere Ranges

the second day in New Zealand, i took a drive out to the Waitakere Ranges to drive the Scenic Drive Road and do some hiking.  the landscape was spectacular and worth every bit of the treacherous terrain, sandblasting, and mud skiing.  the Waitakere Ranges are not far from Auckland on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.  i had planned to to hit 5 or 6 spots in the Ranges park and then head up to another park further up the coast, but i got conned into a trek on Coman's (i'm certain the guide has a typo as it ought to be Conman's) trail brought the day to a close.

as safety conscious a people as these folks are when it comes to traffic laws, obeying road crossings, etc. ... safety concerns do not follow them into the bush.  if you caught the season of Ice Road Truckers where they sent the drivers to navigate the narrow cliffside roads through the mountains of India, i can relate.  well as much a person in a toyota camry with no cargo on a sunny day can relate to the driver of a box truck carrying 8 tons of cement in blizzard conditions ... but whatever.  here's my narrow, waterside, washed out, cliffside road.  it's much more intimidating behind the wheel.

i am on my side of the road

then there's the hiking "trails".  you know it's a good trail when you feel like you've accomplished something.  when returning to the vehicle uninjured seems like a pretty solid accomplishment.  when these thoughts come often:  "are they serious?", "where did the trail go?", "don't overthink it, just go", "what can i hang on to to stop me?", "i'd feel better about this if i had cell phone reception".  and when you get to use hiking maneuvers that would make baer grylls jealous.  this is where Conman's comes in.  a ranger described it as a locals favorite.  the map says it's an excellent, adventurous track with magnificent views.  adventurous in New Zealandnese means steep!  not all bad ... except when water has determined said steep track is the path of least resistance to the valley.  steep terrain, water, and slick mud do not an easy hike make.  i skied on mud in shoes.  this trail ended my day.  it got late, i got tired, and now i had to de-mud my shoes and pants in the hotel shower.  the aussie's are particularly opposed to allowing foreign dirt to enter their country. so weird.

i see a trail ... and then it's not so much a trail

and to the left of the trail ... shouldn't there be a fence or something? 

and here's a bunch of pictures.

Ninepin Rock, Whatipu

Lion Rock at the center of Piha, a surf beach

trail up Lion Rock

Piha from Lion Rock

the little seal that could

he swam out of the cove through that.  he's the black speck in the white foam near the center of the picture.

Kitekite Falls

Karekare, another surf beach