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...