Pinnacles in the Distance

Pinnacles in the Distance

Path up to the Pinnacles

Path up to the Pinnacles

Are you sure this is the right way Cookie?

Are you sure this is the right way Cookie?

NickyHah! For a moment there I thought you meant I had to…
Hang on, you what?

Nicky Climbing the Iron Staples

Nicky Climbing the Iron Staples

Nicky & Cookie on the Top of Pinnacles

Nicky & Cookie on the Top of Pinnacles

NickyAMAZING views. Felt like we were either in the Andies or Lord of the Rings ( my obvious metaphor for epic landscapes ). But it’s true. Bloody awesome. So glad I came up. Made the arduous journey there seem totally worth the pain. ( Most people come up the easy track from the south to the hut – we’ll be heading out that way I reckon! )

View from the Top

View of the Ridge

CookieWithout doubt the 360 degree panorama from the top is the best views we’ve had in New Zealand so far. Fun climb up too, glad that I did it twice! (I came up yesterday without Nicky) The East Ridge looks pretty impressive, no route this way though!

Interesting rock round here

Nicky on Top of the Pinnacles

Looking back down

View of the Top

CookieWe spent a good hour on top taking it all in. Time now to head down, we go back the same way we came up, straight down the ridge behind Nicky in this photo!

05. Volcanic Plateau

Rainbow Mountain’s Turquoise Tarn

Rainbow Mountain's Turquoise Tarn