Lower Manorburn turns it on...

Matakanui Diggings

Up early this morning with the frost and headed to the Lower Manorburn at daybreak.  Wow great ice for this late in the season.  Was able to skate the whole middle basin and into the gorge a bit.  Before I left I walked up the track and had a skate in the upper basin - unable to skate thru the neck as there was water showing. Unusually I was able to skate on the sunny side nearly to the neck - the shady side ice was too thin.  Great ice all round - smooth and hard.
Finished of the skate with a visit to the Matakanui Diggings and had a skate on the main pond.  About 100mm of green ice in the shady side and although not big area, great skating.  Nice spot surrounded by the cliffs and trees.  Wind was softening the ice as I left but a great way to finish the season!

Interesting place to skate - Matakanui

Resting just before the neck on the Maonorburn

Sunrise looking from the gorge to the main basin - Lower Manorburn

Aerial view of Rushcutters  (left)  Click to enlarge.