Open Climb – Publicity Information Sheet

General Information

The ascent and descent will take the whole day and will only proceed with favourable weather conditions. Participants make their own way, on foot, from the Stratford Plateau car park to Tahurangi Lodge. You should leave the car park from 5:00am and the trip will take approximately 1¾ hours. Leave no later than 6am. An LED torch or LED head lamp with fresh batteries will be necessary for the first stage of the walk.

Club members will be on hand at the car park and at various key locations on the track to Tahurangi Lodge to help if further instructions are required.

Tea, coffee, cordial, and water will be available at Tahurangi Lodge on arrival and later on your return from the summit. There are DOC toilets at the carpark before you leave, and at the Maunganui Ski Field Shelter at the Stratford Plateau, and 150m below Tahurangi Lodge. This is the last toilet available for 8 or so hours. Once you arrive at Tahurangi Lodge, you will be grouped into parties of twenty and will be escorted by at least two club members of the Taranaki Alpine Club. The first party will leave Tahurangi Lodge at 6:45 am and the last party must leave no later than 7:45am.

Club members have a detailed knowledge and experience of the mountain and are willing to share it with you. Please do not hesitate to ask about the mountain, the climb or mountaineering. Stopping to take photos and ask questions is a good way to get a rest.

The mountain is held in high regard and significance by many. For Tangata Whenua in particular, the Maunga is a Tupuna of ancestral importance and as such, it is considered disrespectful to stand on the summit block. You are asked to refrain from doing so when you reach the summit peak.

More information about the route can be found at the DOC website and of the the event at our Open Climb page.

On Saturday at 5am, we will announce if the Open Climb is proceeding on our Facebook page. If for safety reasons, the event must be cancelled, there is no postponement date.

Pre requisites

Age 12 years and up
Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a guardian
Sound health
Physically fit
Prior training, hill walking, long walks are strongly recommended

Health and Safety

The Taranaki Alpine Club reminds you that mountaineering can be hazardous. The Club takes due care to manage and minimise the risks but cannot eliminate them.

For the health and safety of all involved with the Open Climb, each party must complete their climb from Tahurangi Lodge to the summit and back within 8¼ hours. The Club reserves the right to turn back any participant it deems will not complete the climb in this timeframe – in this instance the participant will be safely guided back down to Tahurangi Lodge by Club members.

What can you expect

A fantastic day out on the mountain!! And also a long and physically demanding challenge to complete the climb!

You will have the chance to take in some amazing views of Taranaki, with plenty of opportunities to take once in a lifetime photos.

You’ll meet an incredibly interesting bunch of people in your party, and our crew will take the absolute best care of you on the day.

Once you leave Hongi’s Valley and head towards Drinking Rock the views down the mountain overlooking the National Park really start! It’s also at this point that the size of the mountain really impacts you. From Drinking Rock you will head up and across to the Lizard. Ascending the Lizard is the final climb that takes you to Summer Entrance. Here our crew will move the parties into and out of the crater. This is also the last push to the summit.

On the Summit – the views!!

Personal Clothing and Equipment

The mountain’s location and altitude create an environment that can experience sudden and dramatic weather changes. Within an hour, it can change from a hot, calm day to freezing. Each participant must be equipped with the following minimum compulsory equipment.

The Club reserves the right to not allow participants who arrive for the climb without these items.

You will need at least 2 liters of water, preferably with electrolytes, on the trip from Tahurangi Lodge to the summit. Refill your drink bottles at Tahurangi Lodge before leaving.

Footwear:

Sturdy footwear is essential. We recommend tramping boots with good ankle support.

For sun protection:

Sun hat and Sunglasses
Sun block SPF15+ (or more) and lip sun block
As an option, you may consider an old, long-sleeved loose shirt

For wind and rain protection:

Raincoat or weatherproof jacket
As an option, we recommend over trousers

For warmth:

Warm trousers, legging or track pants
Jersey, fleece or jacket of insular material
Warm hat or balaclava
Woollen mittens or ski gloves
Don’t wear jeans (cotton is to be avoided in favor or modern sports fabrics or wool)

Food and Drink:

2-3 litres of electrolyte drink such as Vitasport Electrolyte Rehydration (Refix and mix at Tahurangi Lodge)
Lunch and snacks: you will get hungry, bring a sizable lunch and chocolate bars.

Optional:

Trekking poles
Gaiters to keep out stones
Camera
Basic first aid kit including plasters, panadol and “Cramp Stop”

Don’t miss the opportunity to create the memories of a lifetime!

Revised 29th November 2025