Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Under ideal weather conditions in the summer, most fit trampers can make it to the top of
Mt Taranaki, the most-climbed mountain in NZ. But you need to be prepared - a long list of
people have been killed on its slopes.
Because of sudden weather changes it is essential that you have the right gear and sup-
plies (including plenty of water as there are no streams). You must check the forecast, and
be prepared to turn tail and retreat if the weather deteriorates.
The best time of year for nonmountaineers to climb is during January to March, when the
mountain is often clear of snow and ice other than in the crater.
The Tramp
8-10 HOURS, 12.6KM RETURN, 1572M ASCENT
From North Egmont, follow the
Summit Track
signs and head up the 4WD Translator Rd.
This 1½-hour walk is a good warm up, with one section aptly named 'the Puffer'. There's a
small public day shelter under the privately owned Tahurangi Lodge, and public toilets just
below the giant TV tower.
From the lodge a track continues to Hongi Valley then climbs up a heap of steps to 1950m
where you move onto the scree slope of North Ridge. Follow the poles as they zigzag up the
loose gravel to the ridge known as the Lizard (2134m). Be mindful of falling rocks here.
The poles up the Lizard lead to the north, or summer, entrance of the crater, where you
will encounter snowfields and icy rocks. Once in the crater, at 2450m, it is a walk across the
ice and snow to the west rim and a clamber up the rocks to the
summit
, around four hours
from Tahurangi Lodge.
The area is sacred to Maori, and visitors are asked to respect the mountain by not standing
directly on the summit peak, by not camping or cooking on or around the summit area and
by removing all rubbish.
You return down along the ascent route. It will take three to four hours, so allow yourself
plenty of time to descend safely before nightfall.
WHANGANUI NATIONAL PARK
The 742-sq-km Whanganui National Park - lying between Egmont National Park to the
west, and Tongariro National Park to the east - is the North Island's largest lowland wilder-
ness. The park's dominant feature is the Whanganui River, which winds 290km from its
source on Mt Tongariro to the Tasman Sea. It is NZ's longest navigable river, a fact that's
