Summit Climb @ Toptracks.info

Recommended times and track type:

While a summit climb is a relatively straight forward day trip, there are many cautions to consider. It is not unusual to see unprepared people climbing in the late afternoon, in jandals, t-shirts, with no food or water! Some WARNINGS to begin with. Expect the wind chill temperature at the top to be only as high as minus 10 degrees Celcius. It's likely to be worse. Also when climbing up The Lizard you are often sheltered from the wind so your body temperature can be quite high, once exposed higher up, this will fall fast. So take wind proof and warm clothing, rain coats are good. Water, three litres is what I go through on a climb like this. If there are two of you, take six, three each. You will need it. Take some food, even if you mightn't eat it, if you get caught up there, at least you won't get hungry. Weather conditions change very fast, whiteout conditions are horrendous for finding your way down in, getting lost isn't so much an issue, it's the many bluffs you could stumble over. There have been over 60 deaths up there in the last 100 years. Take someone with you. And leave early, like before 10am. My favoured route is from North Egmont, straight up the Razorback to the Around the Mountain Track, turning left and following this around to above Tahurangi Lodge. This usually takes me 60-80 minutes, and I find it is a good warm up for the climb ahead.
From here turn right and head up the steps, over a thousand I believe. At the end of the steps is very loose gravel/scoria, that can be hard going as there is little solid footing. At around the two hour mark is Drinking Rock, now only half the size it used to be. Apparently it used to have a dish in the top of it that would fill with water for thirsty climbers. A falling boulder hit it several years ago and split it in half, so the story goes. Continue climbing sort of diagonally to the right, (it's uphill all the way from the lodge) to a backbone of rocks, and the end of the scoria. Get up on these rocks (The Lizard) and climb your way to the crater. There are some poles to give you a guide, but if you just keep climbing, you're going to make it. Entering the crater can be hazardous as you have to negotiate a ledge (second photo) that is very narrow several metres above the ice. Anyway get through this and into the crater, cross to the right and climb up to the summit. It's the Sharks Tooth on the left/east. It's eight metres lower than the summit. The summit rock has a plaque on it so there's no mistaking when you're there.
On a clear day the views are spectacular. Being so steep makes it like looking down from an aircraft. Return the same way, although taking the Translator Road from Tahurangi back to the Visitor Centre isn't a bad alternative. Fitness wise, you will know after the climb how fit you are. Coming down does wicked things to your quads and knees, unless you are used to this sort of activity, expect to be sore for three to four days afterwards. Do introduce yourself to the staff at the Visitor Centre if it's open. Do ask questions. Do leave earlier than later. Four hours up, three back is usual, plus your time at the top. Aiming to begin climbing by 6am is not a bad goal. Climbing alone is fairly foolish. If you are, hang around at the Tahurangi turnoff and go up from there with some others. It is a popular climb on a nice day, and you are likely to meet tourists from most European countries, and others, whatever day you go. Finally, checking weather conditions from New Plymouth doesn't always give an accurate picture of the weather up the mountain. Often North Egmont is above the cloud, and you'll find that it's calm and very pleasant up there.
Additional Information Ross Eden and Ian McAlpine are two of Taranaki's most experienced guides. If you require this sort of service the links to their websites are below: Ross Eden - http://www.topguides.co.nz/ Ian McAlpine - http://www.macalpineguides.com/ Further information on Egmont National Park can be found on the Department of Conservation's web site at the following location and link, http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/ national-parks/egmont/ This information was gathered while on site in 2004 (and from previous summit climb experiences.)

While a summit climb is a relatively straight forward day trip, there are many cautions to consider. It is not unusual to see unprepared people climbing in the late afternoon, in jandals, t-shirts, with no food or water!

Some WARNINGS to begin with. Expect the wind chill temperature at the top to be only as high as minus 10 degrees Celcius. It's likely to be worse. Also when climbing up The Lizard you are often sheltered from the wind so your body temperature can be quite high, once exposed higher up, this will fall fast. So take wind proof and warm clothing, rain coats are good.

Water, three litres is what I go through on a climb like this. If there are two of you, take six, three each. You will need it. Take some food, even if you mightn't eat it, if you get caught up there, at least you won't get hungry.

Weather conditions change very fast, whiteout conditions are horrendous for finding your way down in, getting lost isn't so much an issue, it's the many bluffs you could stumble over. There have been over 60 deaths up there in the last 100 years.

Take someone with you. And leave early, like before 10am.

My favoured route is from North Egmont, straight up the Razorback to the Around the Mountain Track, turning left and following this around to above Tahurangi Lodge. This usually takes me 60-80 minutes, and I find it is a good warm up for the climb ahead.

From here turn right and head up the steps, over a thousand I believe. At the end of the steps is very loose gravel/scoria, that can be hard going as there is little solid footing.

At around the two hour mark is Drinking Rock, now only half the size it used to be. Apparently it used to have a dish in the top of it that would fill with water for thirsty climbers. A falling boulder hit it several years ago and split it in half, so the story goes.

Continue climbing sort of diagonally to the right, (it's uphill all the way from the lodge) to a backbone of rocks, and the end of the scoria. Get up on these rocks (The Lizard) and climb your way to the crater. There are some poles to give you a guide, but if you just keep climbing, you're going to make it.

Entering the crater can be hazardous as you have to negotiate a ledge (second photo) that is very narrow several metres above the ice. Anyway get through this and into the crater, cross to the right and climb up to the summit. It's the Sharks Tooth on the left/east. It's eight metres lower than the summit.

The summit rock has a plaque on it so there's no mistaking when you're there.


The summit!
Recommended times and track type:
all day
route
There is more than one way to the top of Mt Taranaki (2518m). This description is from the North Egmont Visitor Centre. This is a dangerous climb, too many take it's ease for granted. Many have died on this mountain, many more are injured, lost, or stranded. It should only be attempted by the novices in perfect summer conditions.