This trip required strength and experience. What some members of the group lacked in experience, they made up for in strength and will. We were met with weather challenges, difficult terrain and chilling cold that could have ripped your pants right off your legs, but the group persevered through it all on route to the beautiful summit of Mount Taranaki.
Our wise and fearless trip leader, Emily Shrosbree, made the call to leave a day later than planned due to safety concerns, as the weather forecast predicted snow, which would impact our plan to reach Tahurangi Lodge by nightfall on Friday night. We all therefore met on Saturday morning at Wellington Railway Station, at 7:30am, to depart for Mt Taranaki. We drove through Levin and Whanganui – stopping to relieve our bladders, and to then fill them back up again with deliciously warm coffee. We finally arrived at the Plateau carpark, and walked the easy/medium grade track for about an hour to reach Tahurangi Lodge.
The weather was absolutely stunning when we arrived at the Lodge and most of the group decided to keep their legs warm and go for a short recce trek to scout out the route for the following morning. Others in the group stayed behind and had a nail-biting, David vs Goliath-like game of Scrabble.
We then reconvened at 5:30pm to make macaroni pasta for dinner, followed by mouth-watering toaster-oven baked brownies for dessert. The group decided on leaving the Lodge at 5:30 am the next day to avoid the wet weather that was predicted to hit the mountain on Sunday morning.
We were dazzled by the light of the setting sun, as it shone down on us and illuminated the distant peaks of Mount Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro.
The night ended with furious rounds of Sushi-Goa – a fast-paced card game that saw Nye (the owner of the game) crush everyone – before heading off to bed. Sleep came early and easily due to fatigue for some, while others could not stop thinking about the magmatic foundation beneath our beds.
Bodies started rustling out of bed at around 4:15 am on Sunday and shortly thereafter coffee, tea and breakfast were being prepared. We gathered outside at 5:35 am for a short briefing before heading off. The cool chill of the morning air made it a comfortable beginning for our climb and soon people started shedding layers. With each step, our headlamps bobbed up and down, as we helped guide each other through the darkness and up the mountain before the sun started peaking up over the horizon. After 90 mins of climbing, having ascended above the clouds, we were met by the rising sun. A blanket of warmth descended upon us as we stopped to admire the breathtaking scenery of soft, glowing light meeting rugged and sharp terrain.
Up and up we went, traversing up and over the jagged edges of the mountain face; one of the most surreal vistas that this North Island volcano has to offer. A true glimpse of the natural beauty of this country and the devastating ferocity that was beneath our feet. Nye, one of our co-leaders, was our recon scout, making sure that the path to the summit was clear and safe for our group. Meanwhile, our trip leader, Emily, swept the back of the group, ensuring we were all coping well with the climb and supporting us the whole way.
Our final push to the summit began with a journey through the frigid, wind-swept crater. On our way up, we came across a tramper who was descending from the crater, where he had camped the previous night. He advised that we would encounter snow and icy conditions at the top. Nye and the more experienced members of our group forged ahead to the crater and then returned to inform us that it was safe for us to continue on ahead.
Despite the blustery and deafening winds that lashed us at the crater, we steadily pushed towards the sun-bathed summit. There was an indescribable feeling of awe and accomplishment when we reached the top, even though conditions at the summit could be described as unbearable. We came across some locals at the summit who were happy to see us and also celebrating their arrival at the summit with a cheeky beverage.
A short stop for lunch (and taking photos of the beautiful scenery) was much needed and we also prepared for the tricky descent down the rugged and uneven scree that blanketed the mountain face. As we approached the rolling clouds we had climbed above earlier that morning, we started to feel the warmth of the sun as it poured its rays on us from above. We then encountered the condensation of the clouds and the slippery scree beneath our feet. Stepping, and for some, skiing, down the loose rocks was a challenge, but thankfully our group was well equipped. On the way down we passed trampers who were hoping to make their way to the top. We had a cloud-filled descent through the lower ridges of the mountain back to Tahurangi Lodge.
We cleaned the Lodge for the next visitors and then, with our packs loaded up and our boots tied tight, we returned to the Plateau carpark to make our way back to Wellington.
On the drive home we stopped at Bulls for dinner (Thai and kebabs). With bellies full and smiles on our faces, we arrived home in Wellington safe and sound.
Thank you to our leaders, Emily and Nye, for your care and expertise and to the group as a whole, for your support and inspiration. Thank you to Taranaki Maunga for providing us with the opportunity to see your beauty and majesty and for bringing a bunch of strangers together for an experience that will not be forgotten.