Dreamweaver Graphics

A conference in Auckland provided the perfect opportunity to catch up with some old friends and squeeze in some vertical exposure on the amazing local ignimbrite (for those who really want to know, i.e. the deposit of a pyroclastic density current, or pyroclastic flow. But for us climbers this just means three-dimensional holds made in heaven! Glenda had told me on one of her trips to the Blueys about the mysterious Gorge that Kerry and Owen had been developing for the past four years, so it was time to check out the craftsmanship of Tauranga's local climbing community. Needless to say I was amazed by the crag, which is neatly couched near a refreshing river bed and bathed in the sun pretty much all day. There are now several sectors with plenty of climbing so much so that the area is now listed in the new Rock Deluxe North climbing guide to the North Island.

Kerry&Glenda	The Gorge Development Team	Owen & Kerry at work
Glenda Wingsuit Brewery	Forest Elves	Tasting Owen's home brew
Rock Ballet: Kerry and Glenda	Kerry Main Wall the Gorge	Glenda on the upper tier traverse

There was the added bonus of Owen's local home-brew which really hit the spot after a hard days work. Kerry and Owen bolted their new climb while Glenda was kind enough to prepare a smorgasboard of routes to sample. It was kind of delightful to fall of pretty much everything I touched that day trying to get used to the chicken-heads, and multi-faceted holds of every description. I barely made it up the easiest climb of the crag aptly named Chickenater (17***)which still manages to punch through two roofs. Day two was a rest day: so Kerry decided to show me the climbing around Mt.Maunganui with what must be some of the best crag view in the country. Climbing some two hundred meters above the ocean with expansive views of the Bay of Plenty.

Kerry on EEC - Cables Wall

Roman on Cosmic Baby

Kerry on Cables

Mt.Maunganui Climbing Views

View from the top

Crawfords

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Kerry, Laura, Molly

View of surf beach between Mt.Maunganui and Moturiki Island on the left

Like any trip it is wise to leave a few things to make you come back again. In this case the list is very long: several of the natural hot springs near Tauranga, surfing on the local beaches and in particular , lots of canyons and one particular one that Kerry told me about. A list of well known canyons is HERE.

Mangorewa Gorge Main Wall