Otanewainuku (640m)

After the last couple of big peaks this one is small by comparison.  It is also the smallest peak in this collection but still worthy of bagging.

Otanewainuku is a volcanic rocky outcrop just inland from Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.  The track begins at a carpark just off a dirt road that links Tauranga with Te Puke.  Done with my father-in-law we headed into the bush and followed the track which is relatively flat for a while but then steadily gets steeper and steeper until the summit is reched.  Here a wooden platform stands to allow views over the surrounding bush.

Views include the Kamai ranges, Mt Tarawera and Mt Edgecombe and of course Tauranga harbour. 

Despite being a short climb it is worth including it, a nice morning's bag...

Mangaweka (1,733m)

At 1,733m above sea level this is the highest peak of the Ruahine range situated nar Palmerston North.  Completed this one with my 15 year old nephew on a stunning spring day.

Mangaweka (1,733m)

The track begins inland from Mangaweka village or alternatively you can travel north from Kimbolton on some back roads which is what we did.  A carpark at the end of a long dirt road is where the track begins.  Initially crossing over farmland, a small steam and then following a fenceline up a very steep spur leads to the Ruahine park boundary.  Here you enter the bush and meander your way up towards Purity Hut which is situated just above the bushline.  We refilled our water bottles here and had a snack before heading up through the tussock towards the open tops of the range.  A series of ridgelines leads to a summit known as Wooden Peg where the track splits.  A little further on is Iron Peg and then a short side trip leads to the Mangaweka summit proper.

Looking toward Mangaweka summit from Iron Peg

View of Mt Ruahepu from Mangaweka

The views all the way up are spectacular with Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe, Mt Tongariro and even Mt Taranaki visible in the distance.  From the summit the full extent of the Ruahine range is seen with views in every direction.  It is also noteworthy that there are several sharp drop offs around too.  To cap it of there were large patches of snow still around despite it being now November.

Looking over ruahine ranges from Mangaweka summit

Our trip back down was fairly rapid and we rereached the hut in a very short time.  Tramping across open tops is so much easier than walking through bush, a fact our knees appreciated greatly.  Once back to the park boundary we picked up the fenceline again and very gingerly made our way down it.  A final push to the carpark ended this one in a little over seven hours, but worth every step.

Another peak successfully bagged...

Umukarikari Peak (1,591m)

Umukarikari is the highest accessible peak in the Kaimanawa ranges.  These form part of the central high country along with the Central Plateau volcanoes.  The start of this track is 4km off of State Highway 1 at the start of the desert road, 15 Km south of Turangi.

The track begins in dense bush and makes its way upward at a fairly steep and constant incline until you reach the bushline.  Almost instantly you lose the bush at this point and begin  walking across alpine herb fields that lead into tussock as you gain altitude.  Marker posts are posted regularly along the route which guide you along the rolling tops of the Umukarikari range, up over a peak simply known as Sharp Cone (1,480m) and then onward a little further to reach the summit of Umukarikari (1,591m).  It took three hours to reach the summit but well worth the slog. A decent stop here for lunch and to take some photos of course.

Mt Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe from Urukarikari range tops

Views are to be had most of the way above the bushline, including stunning views of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro. Lake Taupo, Mt Tuhara were also visible through the haze aswell as the rest of the Kaimanawa ranges to boot.

The trek back down was somewhat faster (2 hours) and after five hours of wallking and climbing I was happy to reach the carpark and head back home. A great days tramp and another peak successfully bagged.

Not many to go now...

Mitre Peak (1571m)

Well, this peak is the highest point in the Tararua range and was a lesson in humility to say the least.  It certainly ranks as the hardest climb I have done,despite the fact it isn't the highest.  The track begins at a carpark area known as "The Pines" inland from Masterton.  Initially the track is a 4WD track that meanders slowly uphill to meet the bush.  This track follows the Waingawa river virtually all the way to the hut.  However the first three hours of this tramp are very up and down with several stream crossings to boot.  At some points you are very high above the river and realise how much altitude you have gained.  Unfortunately, to reach the hut the track drops back down to the river level where you cross a nice new foot bridge and beyond the hut the climb to Mitre begins all over again!

Mitre Flats Hut, at the base of Mitre peak, Tararua range

After a brief stop at the hut to eat and refill my water bottle I headed off.  The track initally heads up a very steep incline that has you gaining altitide at a rapid rate.  It then becomes a steady plod uphill with occasional steep sections.  The higher I got there was snow on the ground around  from the previous couple of days. After more climbing the views get better despite the mist and snow but at this point, approximately 3/4 up this one, (1200m approx)  a stones throw from the true summit, I made the call to turn back and head down as I was going to run out of visibility any higher and light on the trip down.  The trip down was somewhat faster but still required some agile foot placement and care.  After making my way back out from the hut I reached the carpark at the start of the track just on dusk, very timely!!

Looking back to Mitre peak, shame its clouded in!!

On the whole this cimb took everything I had but despite not quite reaching the absolute top, it was a hard slog climb that took 9 hours and certainly worthy of being called bagged.

The next one...watch this space...

Mt Ngongataha (756m)

Another relative smallish peak just to get back into the swing of things...

Rotorua city and the lake from Mt Ngongataha

Mt Ngongataha is situated on the outskirts of Rotorua.  The track to the summit begins at the carpark on Paradise Valley Road and climbs steadily through the bush to meet the access road near the top.  At the summit there unfortunately are no views to be had due to major shrubery growth , but views can be obtrained from a few hundred metres down the access road. From here the lake, Mt Tarawera and all of Rotorua city can be seen.

A good climb done within a couple of hours, good practise for the next one...

Mt Karori (756m)

Well winter is pretty much over and now it is time to get back into gear and complete my peak bagging mission...

Mt Karori near Raglan

So, Mt Karori is a small mountain situated on the west coast near Raglan in the Waikato.  It is a nice short summit challenge to kick off the next phase of climbs.  The trip begins with a trek through farmland to reach the bushline.  From here the track narrows and meanders up the mountain owards the simmit.  It was a good track, well maintained and well marked with lovely orange tree markers.  After an hour I reached a couple of smaller ladders which tell you that the actual summit is very close and sure enough 3-4 minutes later there is the summit platform, a large slab of concrete as it happens.

Raglan harbor and town from Karoroi summit

After a snack it was time to get some photos.  The views from here were great in every direction.  All the local peaks were visible; Maungatautari, Pirongia, and even Mt Te Aroha and Mt Taranaki were just visble.   Views of both Kawhia and Raglan harbours were also good and Hamilton city glistened in the distance.

A nice climb worth the effort...heres to the next one...watch this space...

Mt Edgecumbe (821m)

Mt Edgecumbe, Bay of Plenty

This relatively small peak lies just inland from Whakatane, near Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty.  The track up to the summit is a well maintained 4WD track that winds its way up the mountain to a turn around area.  A series of steps carries on up to the sunnit trig from here. It took an hour to reach the summit. It was a good steady climb with great views at the top of the entire Bay of Plenty coast from Ohiwa harbour all the way to Mt Maunganui.  Inland, Mts Tauhara and Tarawera were prominent with the Urewera ranges in the distance. Also at the top is a small craer lake which was not accessible on this trip. Well worth the effort.

Bay of Plenty coastline with Whale Island in the distance

Another one down just before winter sets in...

Rainbow Mountain (743m)

Rainbow Mountain

After the mammoth climb up Mt Taranaki last time this peak was a nice mental and physical break.  Situated just south of Rotorua on SH5 and within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, this one starts with a nice, gentle and well formed track that meandered  at a steady pace around the flank of the mountain and got slightly steeper towards the summit.  Early in the track are nice views of a small thermal lake (Green lake), fantastically coloured cliffs (hence the montain's name) and further up several steaming fumeroles just off the main track make for a nice photo opportunity.  Upon reaching the trig at the summit the views here were great.  In the hazy distance was Mt Tauhara near Taupo, with great vistas over Mt Tarawera and Lake Rotomahana. On the whole a great climb not too far from home.

View of Mt Tarawera and Lake Rotomahana from Rainbow mountain summit

Maybe time for a couple more before winter gets here...

Mt Taranaki [Egmont] (2,518m) / Fanthams Peak (1,966m)

Mt Taranaki

This is the highest and hardest climb to date, done with my best friend and well worth the effort.  We started at the Stratford Plateau and made our way around the mountain, up to the skifield and then continued over on the around the mountain track to Tahurangi Lodge.  This then joins up with the northern route up to the summit.  After a well earned break we heading up the stepped route toward the north ridge.  Here it got progressively harder. The steps eventually give out and we started the long climb up the scoria slopes.  There were heaps of people heading down from the summit so we knew we were heading in the right direction. There were also poles to follow along the way.  Views of the top periodically came into view and then would promptly disappear into cloud again.  After a lot of heavy slogging we reach a more rocky surface known as "the lizard"  which was much easier to climb than the sliding scoria.  At this point it seems like you are almost there, but it only "seems" that way.  There are more rocks to climb but eventually we made our way through the narrow gap in the rocks and over the crater lip. 

Rock spire known as "Shark's Tooth from the crater floor

Dropping into the crater we traversed the crater floor (covered in ice and snow all year round) and headed for the summit rocks and another rocky spire known as "the sharks tooth".  Just below the summit rocks is the south crater wall, our exit point. After taking more photos and getting our bearings we Climbed over the crater wall and headed down towards Fanthams Peak, our overnight destination (Syme Hut) and of course my next peak to bag. Unfortunately views from up here were completely obscured by cloud but the climb up was still well the effort and satisfaction of bagging NZ's North Island's second highest mountain.

Fanthams Peak (on left) from summit track

The descent down to Fanthams Peak was both exihirating and scary as daylight hours were getting scarce and the rocks on the  south side of the crater wall as we headed over it were already starting to ice up.  Once on the scoria slope we heading down at a relatively steady pace with some interesting points where the scoria was very thin with next to no traction.  But eventually we reached the area known as the Rangitoto Flats and looked on at the brief but steep ascent ahead of us to reach the hut on the top of Fanthams Peak.  Upon reaching the hut we dumped the packs we had dragged up the mountain with us and could finally relax and appreciate the beauty and majesty of where we were.  Needless to say as the sun went down and we crashed for the night we slept very soundly indeed.

Sunrise looking east to Mt Ruapehu

We woke in the morning just in time to watch and photograph the sunrise silhouetting Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro in the Eastern skyline, a sight well worth getting up early for.  After breakfast and getting some great photos (no clouds this morning) of the coastline and surrounding farmland, we started the descent down to Dawson Falls where our ride awaited us.

View from Fanthams Peak towards the coast

This trip was my biggest so far in my peak bagging year and combined two peaks in the one trip, a bonus well worth the effort.  Now we head home to get some well earned rest before the next one...watch this space...

Mt Tauhara (1,088m)

Central mountains and Lake Taupo from Tauhara summit

This mountain stands proud on the outskirts of Taupo township .  The track begins as a trek over farmland before entering the bushline.  The ascent is a steady climb on a well defined track that meanders though the bush. A seat is nicely positioned at  half way point and a stream that runs alongside the track lets you know there isn't far to go.  Finally you reach a short sharp scramble that breaks into an open clearing with a trig...the summit .  The views I found here were breathtaking with all the central mountains and lake taupo clearly visible.  Kangiora pine forest sprawls out on the other side and even Mt Tarawera and Mt Edgecombe visible in the distance.  It was a nice sunny day although the wind was blowing a gale so had to watch my footing in places.  On the whole a great climb with views well worth the slog to the top.

Mt Tauhara from Taupo

Here's to the next one...

Pouakai range [Mt Egmont] (1,400m)

Pouakai range (right) with Mt  Egmont in background

Nestled behind the mountain lies the Pouakai range, the eroded remnants of another extinct volcano that used to be the size of Mt Egmont itself.  This climb started at Mangorei Road end just out of New Plymouth.  The tract is 90% boardwalk and actually climbs in altitude relatively gradually.  The down side to this tramp was the higher I got the thicker the cloud got and upon reaching the hut just below the summit it was blowing a gale and nothing to see.  Nevertheless a good challenge ( 4 hours in total) and worth doing again when the mountain is completely clear of cloud. 

A good practise climb before doing Mt Egmont summit itself...watch this space...

Mt Pureora (1,165m)

Central mountains from summit of Mt Pureora

Desite being the highest peak I have climbed to date, this was by far the easiest.  It was a nice well maintained track that gradually climbed in height.  Views at the summit were slightly hazy but still great, could see all the central mountains and lake taupo. GREAT DAY!!

Bring on the next one...

Kaitarakihi (852m)

This is the highest peak of the Coromandel range.  The track begins from the road summit on SH25A between Thames and Tairua.  The climb begins almost immedately and gradually meanders through densely overgrown bush. Tree markers are present  but an easily be missed due to the overgrowth, something I got very familar with!!  Towards the end of the climb the track gives way to a sheer rock climb that ascends the mountain quite quickly and before long I was suddenly at the summit staring at the sign that told me I'd reached it.

Kaitarakihi peak, Coromandel

Here the views are blocked to the north but impressive in every other direction.  From here I could see Mt Maunganui, the Firth of Thames, Whangamata and even Mt Egdecumbe in the far distance!!  Not a huge peak but well worth it for the vews alone...

Firth of Thames

Here's to the next one...

Mt Pirongia (959m)

Mt Pirongia

Climb no 3...this I think has been the trickest climb to date.  The climb to Ruapene trig was fairly simple but the track from here changed dramatcially!  Initiailly there are chains to help you negotiate the steep rock faces that lie inbvetween sections of the track and once they were conquered the track got incredibly muddy!  The trek to the summit was very up and down, muddy as hell and felt like it would never end.  But, eventually I hit a large section of boardwalk which lets you know that the summit is not far away.  Finally the summit and the large viewing tower on top of it came into sight and within a few minutes I was standing on it.
Views over the waikato were a little hazy but there were impressive views of Kawhia harbour.  Mount Taranaki could not been seen on this occasion but ever mind...another peak successfully bagged...

Mt Te Aroha (952m)

My second peak was Mt Te Aroha, the highest peak of the Kaimai ranges.  This one starts in the Te Aroha domain and winds up to an initial lookout point which gives nice views out over the waikato plains on a clear day.  The track then levels out for a while and gradually climbs in altitide.  However,  after a while it gets successifully steeper and towards the summit is a sheer scramble over rocks. Finally I reached the clearing at the top and was greeted by the towerig TV tower at the top.  But alas, the journey is not quite done yet, to have truely bagged this peak one must climb a little further onto the trig on the other side of the TV tower.
Views here were good but  hazy.  Could just see the mount (Mt Maunganui) and the length of the kamai range.  Still a climb well woth doing...

Mt Maungatautari (759m)

Thought I would write a bit about each of the peaks I have climbed so far...

Mount Maungtautari was my first official peak to climb.  This trek starts in farmland and passes through a perimeter fence (to protect the moutain from predators) before gradually climbing up a metal track.  The track then turns into the bush and meanders its way up to the moutains summit trig.  Unfortunately there are no real views at the top due to tall foilage but the climb is fairly straightforward and worth the effort, a nice way to kick off my peak bagging year...

Update

My peak bagging mission began in November 2011, to date I have climbed to the summits of Mt Maungatautari (Waikato), Mt Pirongia (Waikato), Mt Te Aroha (Waikato) and Kaitarakihi (Coromandel).

From here they only get higher...will keep ya posted...