New Zealand: Mt Taranaki Hike
As preparation for our upcoming trek to Everest Base Camp we wanted to test our fitness as well as our gear. So we teamed up with Emma’s brother and his son with the goal of hiking up Mt Taranaki, near New Plymouth in New Zealand.
This hike is a test of both endurance and weather, irrespective of the season. On this day in January, it was cloudy, windy and wet with the odd rock slide to boot. So instead of attempting the summit we did the next best thing and decided on a traverse below the summit, on the Holly Hut Track.
Navigating our way using a map, crisscrossing a raging river on a traverse below the summit and getting lost was an interesting challenge. Topography map reading skills that day came in very handy, along with a fair degree of perseverance with very wet feet and boots.
We came across some fellow trampers coming in the opposite direction who exclaimed ‘but we’re not wet’. “Hah, but you will soon be’, I uttered quietly under my breath.
View over Egmont National Park
Some hours later we came to the end of the trail, having tested more than we expected - not just our fitness and gear, but also our resilience and perseverance! I guess that’s what you get for when you sign up for an adventure. It certainly set us up well for future adventures to come.
Emma’s brother and his son, who live in New Plymouth, climb this mountain a few times a year. From all accounts, they are very agile and fast in both getting up and down. Next time, we plan to summit with them, weather permitting!
Onwards and upwards!
Trevor
The view to the summit
Insights
Mt Taranaki summit is 2,518m (8,261ft).
The summit is 6.3km (3.91mi) one way, return via same track from the car park at North Egmont.
Allow 5-6 hours up; 3-4 hours down (dependant on the weather).
In winter/spring conditions, snow and ice on the mountain requires New Zealand mountaineering experience and alpine equipment and a different route.
The best time of year to attempt the summit without alpine equipment is February to mid April. Always check with the Egmont National Park Visitor Centre for up to date information as conditions can change suddenly. Thick cloud can descend suddenly on the mountain anytime, making navigation very difficult – be prepared to turn back.
While the distance may not seem far to the summit – it’s the elevation gain that will get you puffing. In 6.3km (3.9mi) from North Egmont to the summit area, the gain in height is 1,600m (5,249ft) – that’s steep!
Mt Taranaki has great spiritual significance to local Maori: the crater and summit is the sacred head of Taranaki, the rocks and ridge are his bones, rivers his blood and plants and trees are his cloak and offer protection from the weather.
Check out the latest weather forecast for Egmont National Park before you set out.
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