Mt Taranaki closer up

[Ianab]

So. up on the Mt, shown in this pic, is the local ski field. It's a small club run one, and might be lucky to get a week of good skiing in a season. But the track up to it was a but dodgy, as you had to walk down into an avalanche / rock fall gorge to get there. Over the summer they built a new bridge to bypass the hairy bits of the walk. 



So we volunteered the the kids to go and check it out. Along with 1/2 the province and some random tourists. 



Part way up. mostly still smiling.



The bridge is a ~300ft swing bridge, all helicoptered in and assembled on site. The concrete footings were poured from a chopper bucket, and the towers lowered in to place the same. 


Looking back across the gorge.


180 Pano from the skifield. You can see the ocean to the North and South. Carpark down in the foreground, Stratford (home) a bit above to the left. On the horizon is the central volcanoes. 


The actual ski field. There is another steeper tow further up the Mt, but not much ski action at the  moment. 


The  Maori guardian spirit for the bridge. Normally they would be wooden carving, but the environment is a bit harsh up there. So traditional laser cut stainless steel works better.    But he's keeping an eye on everyone walking onto the bridge. Hopefully as a good luck charm. 

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Thanks for sharing!

[Magicman]

Looked like a wonderful fun trip.  More like awesome!!! 

[Nebraska]

Very pretty

[Southside]

Anyone else hear "Reineer Beer" when they saw that first photo?  Pastures are pretty impressive for winter. 

[Ianab]

Pastures are pretty impressive for winter. 

Cattle are pastured all year round here, although grass growth is pretty slow this time of year, but never completely stops. Haven't had to mow the lawns for the last 6 weeks, they are nice and green, just not growing.  Farmers will have closed up some paddocks in the Autumn to save for Winter grazing. Cows aren't milking so don't need as much food, and will be being break feed and supplemented hay / silage to get them though the Winter. A few farms with "town supply" contracts will milk through Winter to supply fresh milk. It pays better, but you can't run as many cows, or need more high quality supplement food, so costs are higher.