After my last blog entry, I drove from Timaru via Christchurch and Arthurs Pass to Blenheim. I had to wait a bit for my ferry to leave, but I just did nothing and relaxed.
On Monday, the 22nd I then went on the ferry from Picton to Wellington.
Compared to my last time, the waves were higher, which made it more fun.
Since I arrived in Wellington in the dark, I spent one night at a campground just north of Wellington, before I drove to Whanganui.
There I spent one night with a family, I already met on my way south.
It was a fun evening, but on the next day I was already on the road again.
This time, my destination was New Plymouth, where I visited the family I met at Christmas last year. Since the weather looked good, I planed on going up to Syme Hut high on the slopes of Mt. Taranaki.
I was excited, since there was already snow on the mountain. But first there were 3383 stairs to climb. It was an way more exhausting task, than the stairs up to Mueller Hut, but funnily it didn’t seem as long.
Once I got to the end of the stairs though, the real fun began.
Front pointing for another 500 meters in altitude change.
The weather was perfect though, ignoring some cloud patches swirling around me.
There was little to no wind, the sun was out in full power and it was pleasantly warm.
Once I reached the final saddle, it was almost flat for the reminder of the trail to the hut.
But the snow changed to very hard ice, which is a downside of a lone mountain directly next to the Tasman Sea.
Once I reached the hut, I instantly knew, that it would be a cold night.
Luckily, the door was on the other side.
Since it was only 3 pm, I spent the rest of the afternoon admiring the view. With a hot tea and several layers it wasn’t even that bad.
Once the sunset started, I had the best view over the shadow cast by Mt. Taranaki, which made the whole climb so worth it.
Afterwards I made some dinner and some more tea, before I went outside again fore another picture.
It was very dark, since there was no moon and there was only a single candle in the hut. Yes, I forgot to bring some candles myself.
Luckily I had my headtorch.
The next day I woke up to howling wind, that shook the hut on its foundation.
Luckily it was tied down properly.
I was too lazy, to wake up at sunrise, but I didn’t linger too long in the hut either, since I could see clounds moving in.
So at around 10 am I started my descent the same way I came up.
It was very sketchy at best and downright dangerous at the worst parts with the strong winds. In fact, the wind was so strong, it blew my glasses right of my face.
Consequently I focused on getting down safely and didn’t took any pictures.
In the end I arrived back at my car without any injuries, but with a whole lot of respect for this mountain.
Now I am in Stratford and writing this blogpost, before I am going to drive to the Tongariro National Park. Hopefully the weather plays along and I will be able to do the Tongariro Crossing on Monday.
I will keep you informed thoughh.
Until then,
Cheers!
Max Abbe 