Mt Mou, New Caledonia

Today was supposed to be a guided Canyoning Trip, but unfortunately it rained all night prior. Despite waterlevels that looked very low, the guide wouldn't be drawn to take us down the 'canyon'.. The stream wasn't enclosed at all, so I was a bit grumpy.. Oh well..

After this 5 hr wild goose chase all the way over to Canala and back, Flick and I activated our back up plan; A climb of Mt Mou to go visit a US Navy plane wreck from WW2.

We had nice cool cloudy conditions for the climb, which kept us from overheating, but made the views fleeting. Once on the summit ridge, the vegetation became very interesting, with all manner of giant root systems to scramble over (and through) to get to the top.

On the other side, we hurried over to find the wreckage, then turned tail quickly, noting the early tropical sunsets and the late hour. Making it back in 4hrs car to car, just as it began to get properly dark.

The start of 'Cascade de Ciu' Canyon in Canala

Flick and one of the locals

Climbing steeply above Col des Pirogues toward Mt Mou

Which way??

Typical scrub on the southern flanks of the massif

Scrambling the last 5 minutes to the bush covered summit

Finally made it to the US Navy Dauntless Avenger wreck

Wreck with a view..

The view west on descent