Mountain Guiding
Mt Taranaki
Adventure Dynamicsprovides a professional guiding and instructional
service for outdoor adventures on and around the stunning 2518m (8261ft) Mount Taranaki.
Also known as Mount Egmont.
This picturesque volcano rises from the sea and offers dramatic opportunities for
the novice or experienced mountaineer, the skier, hiker, climber and photographer,
both summer and winter. Adventure Dynamicscan take you there and
ensure your adventure is fulfilling and safe.
Adventure Dynamicswill focus on the individual’s needs and design
a day or a
programme to suit.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont – Summer
Get off the beaten track and experience the wild flowers and magical rock formations.
There is a huge range of routes up the mountain suitable for the first timer to
those who return for more.
Enjoy the fantastic sights from the top with views of Ruapehu and even the Kaikoura
Range in the South Island.
The expedition will take the average person about 5 - 6 hours to summit and another
3 - 4 to descend the 1600m climb. However, we often punctuate the trip with a stop
at the
Taranaki
Alpine Club Lodge
for a top-up of water/coffee and chocolate biscuits.
Most people without alpine experience can achieve the easiest route, while for those
with desire to go harder, the mountain has plenty of steep, technical, rocky routes.
Reaching the summit is always dependent on the weather, the mountain condition and
you.
The guide to client ratio in summer is normally no more than 1:6
Adventure Dynamics Minimum Equipment List
Mountain – summer Weather on
Taranaki is very changeable and 4 seasons can be experienced on one day. Below is a minimal list of equipment which
will enhance your experience with Adventure Dynamics. Not everything may be required on the day,
but this can be discussed at the beginning of the adventure. | Checked (b) |
Warm clothes – (for cold weather): consider thermal underwear and
fleece – temperature is usually much colder at 2500m or can change from
hot to cold in a few minutes | |
Cool clothes – (for hot weather): T-shirt may be worn but gets
cold if sweating. A shirt with collar
and long sleeves protects neck and arms from the sun | |
Waterproofjacket with
hood – weather changes very fast. You may need wind or rain protection | * |
Warm hat – wool/fleece beanie or balaclava | * |
Gloves – also needed to protect hands when descending loose scree | * |
Sun hat – protect the nose and neck | |
Sun screen – UV at the top of the mountain is about 50% more than
at sea level, even on a cloudy day | |
Sun glasses | * |
Light boots or hiking shoes – terrain very uneven and loose. There could be some snow at this time of
year. | |
Long trousers and possibly shorts – shorts are good but you might
want long protection from the sun, or extra warmth | |
Walking pole – telescopic poles, 2 better than 1. Helps the balance and the knees (optional
but strongly recommended) | * |
Drink – there isno water for at least 5 hours of walking.
Carry 1.5 litres minimum (that’s 2 normal water bottles) | |
Food – lots of light snacks better than a big lunch | |
Small pack to carry extras – 20 to 30 litre size | * |
* Items can be hired for a small fee
Mount Taranaki/Egmont - Winter
The effect of winter on Mount Taranaki is stunning. At over 2500 metres above sea
level but right on the west coast, the mountain receives the full blast of the moist
airflow off the Tasman sea.
The result is an extravagant covering of ice and snow, and scenery that will
take your breath away.
Our world class guided trips take you safely through this landscape to the summit
or however far the mountain will let us go. No experience is required because you
will receive enough instruction and you will be firmly attached to the guide with
a rope. You will need the right gear and at least a moderate level of fitness. Ropes,
crampons, helmet and ice axe are standard necessities and can be provided.
For the extreme adventurer, there is plenty of steep snow and ice that will
put you to
the test.
The round trip may take from 8 to 10 hours with a welcome break at the Taranaki Alpine Club Lodge part of the way up.
The mountain has great mana which must be respected. Sometimes
its wise to stay low and
not go to the top. This depends on the weather, the mountain conditions and you.
Numbers in the winter are normally restricted to no more than two clients per
guide.
Adventure Dynamics Minimum Equipment List
Mountain – winter Weather on
Taranaki is very changeable and 4 seasons can be experienced on one day. Below is a minimal list of equipment, which
will enhance your experience with Adventure Dynamics. Not everything may be required on the day,
but this can be discussed at the beginning of the adventure. | Checked (b) |
Thermal top, first layer – (polypropylene, wool, polyester)
temperature is usually much cooler at 2500m. You could build up a sweat. Wet
cotton is cold | * |
Warm top – fleece or wool.
Freezing level can be as low as 1500m: meaning –100 on top | * |
Cool clothes –A cotton shirt with collar and long sleeves protects
neck and arms from the sun on a hot day. It could be a scorcher | |
Lower layers – full sun
protection is good. Thermal long-johns
with shorts over the top to give extra protection around the sensitive
places, quick drying long trousers. No
cotton! | |
Waterproof jacket with hood – weather changes very fast. You may
need wind or rain protection, or extra warmth | * |
Waterproof trousers – waterproof but breathable fabric is best | |
Warm hat – wool/fleece beanie or balaclava | * |
Gloves/mittens – for the cold but also to protect hands from sharp
snow and ice | * |
Sun hat – protect the nose and neck | |
Sun screen – UV at the top of the mountain is about 50% more than
at sea level, even on a cloudy day | |
Sun glasses – good quality dark lenses. Townie glasses are sometimes not enough. | * |
Boots – the stiffer the sole the better for snow walking. Water-proof and crampon compatible | |
Comfortable socks | |
Snow gaiters – or something else to keep the snow out of the boots | * |
Ice axe | provided |
Crampons | provided |
Helmet | Provided |
Harness | provided |
Drink – there isno water for at least 6 hours of walking.
Carry 1.5 litres minimum (that’s 2 normal water bottles) | |
Food – lots of light snacks probably better than a big lunch | * |
Medium sized pack to carry everything – 30 - 50 litre size | * |
* Adventure Dynamics can supply items marked with an asterisk if
pre-arranged
# KiwiOutdoors: (06) 758 4152,
kiwioutdoorcentre@xtra.co.nz
Other guided adventures on Mt Taranaki
Alpine experience:stay low and check out the herb-fields
with alpine flowers, interesting lava formations, take photos. Or in the winter,
try out walking with crampons and experience the magic of winter.
Rock scrambling:stay low and enjoy the exposure of scrambling
along the top of Humphries Castle while being safely tied to a rope. Abseil off
the end.
Rock climbing:try your hand a climbing real rock. Taranaki
has some of the best rock around. For those already into climbing, come and try
a different area.
Ice climbing:sometimes we don’t need to go far to try this
one out. For the more
experienced, we head higher and the choice is unlimited.
Ski guiding:for experience skiers only. Occasionally through
the winter, but mostly in spring, the snow is perfect for skiing or boarding. This
is your chance to experience the real alpine slopes under the supervision of a guide
who knows the mountain and the conditions. No queues, no crowds, no little kids
skiing through your legs.
Mt Ruapehu
Don lived at the base of Mt Ruapehu (2797m, 9175 feet) for 6 years. It’s the highest
mountain in the North Island. He knows the mountain well for it’s non technical
and it’s technical climbing. It is also his preferred place for wilderness skiing,
often staying in the NZAC Whangaehu hut overnight.
Adventure Dynamicshas a full concession for guiding there.