Pukeonake Recce

Roughly two-thirds the way along the Mangatepopo access road is a benign-looking mound that appears as if it would be a quick and easy walk to the top. Running low on daylight it seemed like the perfect option for a quick leg stretch. Even better, the topo map indicated that there was a trig at the top.

It had been raining all day, and more rain threatened, so we put on full wet weather gear. It was also only 4 degrees, so buff (as neck gaiter), beanie, and ski gloves were also in order. From the rough carpark there is an easy walk along the old, partially overgrown, and eroded 4WD track.

After a steady and easy walk for about 1km, we rounded the corner and... what an incredible view opened up in front of us: it was like half the mountain had fallen away! Instead of a conical mound, the whole centre had been eroded away into a large crescent shape. The obvious way forward was along a twisting dry stream bed that led towards a vertical face, and on our left was a large scree slope.

Part way up the stream bed we decided that the better option was to climb the slope. We started up the slope, the weather started to close in, and the light levels were fading. The top of the crescent was tantalisingly close, but the better option was to go back. We ran down the scree slope, and then walked back down the 4WD track to the cars.

The trig, if it exists, still beckons. And now that we know what Pukeonake is actually like we have a plan for next time!

The unassuming mound of Pukeonake from the road.
The carparking area is on the outside of the
bend in the road, and the 4WD track heads from
there around to the right hand side of Pukeonake.

The view up the dry stream bed towards the
vertical wall in the distance. We scrambled up
the slope to the left.