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

Phare Amedee Diving, New Caledonia

I figured I should really do at least a little diving whilst in town, so organised for a day trip out to the outer reef islands for a resort dive.

With Simon, we zipped out on a RHIB to Phare Amedee, 22km off the coast of Noumea. The sea life was aboslutely incredible; great diving. We also spent plenty of time chilling in hammocks, eating, snorkelling and sunbathing.

A great day out, if a little expensive..

On the RHIB to Phare Amedee

Its choice bro

No shortage of marine life

Stone Fish (no, really..)

Lovely spot to spend a day

Sea Snake, hanging out on the Wharf

Plateau de Dogny, New Caledonia

On another work trip to New Cal, I had 3 days off over three weeks. Managed to have a few neat adventures.

Today, I'd managed to convince 3 of my colleagues to come out to do one of the Proviciale Randonee 'Great Walk' style day trips.

It was rather damp looking, but with the heat, I was glad of the rain. It was 32 in the carpark, and 25 on the summit at 1010m. The track up was well formed, but steep. It passed through some interesting Dry Forest, before emerging on the Plateau to wierd heath and bracken like scrub.

There were great views out to the reef from the top. There was still an 8km circuit of the summit plateau to do, which took in more forest, waterfalls, streams and scrub.

A neat 5hr trip, done as fast as I could manage (normal track time is 8hrs). At the end there was even a rock slide pool to cool off in.

Part way up the steep track to the Plateau

Track info board on the Plateau

Felicity and Geoff join me at the bushline
Great views of the Coral reef out to the South West.

Strange low scrub on the Plateau

Lots of neat fungi growing in the bush

Typical Forest on the Plateau fringe

Visiting the 'Do Nyi' Cascade on the south east side of the Plateau circuit

A great lookout over the hills toward Noumea

Geoff enjoys the rock slide

Masons to Oban, Rakiura National Park

An trip to the bottom of the country for some Kiwi hunting and Easter Tramping.

We flew on a very dreary pre-easter Thursday from Invercargill to Mason's bay in a little Cherokee. It was pretty cool, but at least it wasn't raining (yet).

We chose to walk on from Mason's over to Freshwater, experiencing some waist deep flowing flooding on the track, just like the DOC staff had warned.

Day two was a mud fest in grey rainy weather over to North Arm Hut, where we joined the masses on the Rakiura circuit. It was still rainy on Day three, but we made easy work of the boardwalk over to Port William Hut. Thankfully that afternoon it stopped raining, giving us a chance to explore the beach a little.

Our final day was generally sunny, with the occaisonal shower. The beaches back along the north coast leg of the Rakuria track were delightful and the evening's relaxation at Oban was just the ticket.

Not the best of weather overall and no Kiwi seen, so I guess we'll have to return one day in mid summer to mud-wrestle our way around the North West Circuit.

Mason's Bay International Terminal

Exploring a Mason's Bay creek

Looking towards the Ernest Islands from Mason's Bay Beach

South Island Robin

An elevated bit of boardwalk between Mason's Bay and Freshwater Hut

About 3 hours of near constant wading through Kanuka corridors

Scones for desert at Freshwater Hut

Not far now to North Arm Hut.. I'm sick of mud...

Arriving on the Rakiura Great Walk boardwalk

Great views today...

Sunset at Port William

Sunshine and beautiful beaches at Port William

Off for a spot of fishing

All done :)

Sunrise at Halfmoon Bay, waiting for the ferry to the mainland