Mt Pirongia, Waikato
A tough little mountain
With two Aussie city girls we took off late afternoon on a mountain adventure. It was definitely going to be a wild weather night and the tracks were the most rugged I've ever walked, the mud, wet rock faces with crazy chain abseils and chaotic tree roots had a lot to do with that.
From Grey Rd car park we took the trail to Ruapane via the Mangakara Nature Walk and Link Track, then followed the Tirohanga Track to Mt Pirongia summit (959m) viewing tower where despite seeing only clouds we felt totally elated at having finally made it up there!
From the summit it was a 15 minute track to Pahautea hut and campsites which are in a wicked location on a hill with a clearing.
With the weather and dodgy wet tracks it took us 4.5hrs from the car park to the hut which sleeps 6-8 in one cosy bunk for $5 each a night and has running fresh drinkable water and new toilets with a wash up area. It's old school and basic but sweet for a small group.
Take candles and your own cooker!
After scrubbing off our mud and making it indoors 5 minutes before the rain decided to water blast the earth we stretched out our muscles, cooked a hearty dinner and fell asleep to the cosy sounds of the wind and rain storm we didn't have to tent in.
We started out the next morning on the Mahaukura trail it was quite cold and our shoes were still full of mud and soaking wet (so much for an NZ summer, poor Aussies) we had some sun and visibility but a lot of wind so we kept our warm gear on and experienced the might that is the Mahaukura trail.
3 peaks, the most insane rock/tree climbing trails and 4 hours at a fast pace later (including some photo stops) we were back at Grey Rd car park and finally out of the bush!
Despite NZ throwing up on the Aussie girls from above and below they declared their first tramp a success and said they would do it again!
It really is a tough little mountain with very rugged trails but the native bush is absolutely stunning and so eerily quiet plus you really can't beat a tramp that gives you not 1 or even 2 peaks but about 4 to view the wilderness from and feel closer to God on.
Our cute little basic hut for the night
Pahautea hut
One of Three peaks we climbed on the way down!
The Stunning moss covered native bush
What a wild mountain and an epic adventure!
Paleo Dark Chocolate Espresso Mousse
It's as rich as it sounds and yet pretty guilt free.
225g Dark Chocolate (I normally use Whittakers 50% Dark Block even though its not fully paleo)
3tbsp Brewed Espresso
1.5tbsp coconut oil
4 Eggs, separated
Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a bowl with the espresso.
Set the bowl over a pot of boiling water and melt stirring till it is smooth and liquid.
Add the coconut oil while stirring.
Remove the the pot from the heat and stir in the egg yolks
Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff but not dry
Fold the chocolate mixture into the egg whites until mixed through
pour into your serving bowl or dishes and refrigerate!
Enjoy responsibly this mousse has kept me up all night with it's caffeine content (but then I am sensitive to caffeine)
I've made this recipe so many times this summer for various bbq's and even christmas day!
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