Climbing Taranaki Maunga: Safety Considerations?
Mount Taranaki: A Mountain of Challenges
Mount Taranaki, located just a few kilometres from the Taranaki coastline, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the mountain's allure comes with risks, as highlighted by the tragic incidents that have occurred since 2007.
Over the past 14 years, five lives have been lost on Mount Taranaki. One individual perished on the Lower Lake Dive Track, while two met their end on a winter climbing trip on the East face. Two more unfortunate souls lost their lives attempting to climb the Mount Taranaki Summit Track in winter.
The Mount Taranaki Summit Track, the only marked path to the summit and the only one recommended for trampers, has seen its share of incidents. Between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2017, there were 60 trampers who required search and rescue assistance on this track.
Comparatively, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, another popular destination, has had a lower incident rate. One out of 2,250 trampers required search and rescue help on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, compared to one out of 1,736 on the Mount Taranaki Summit Track. However, it's important to note that the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has had two fatalities.
The Tararua Southern Crossing, a single tramping track in New Zealand, has seen the most fatalities since 2007, with five lives lost. The Gillespie Pass Circuit and Gertrude Saddle Route have both claimed three lives each.
On a national scale, since 2007, a total of 187 people have tragically never made it home while recreating in a land-based activity in New Zealand's outdoors, excluding commercial activities and medical events.
In an effort to reduce these incidents, the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has released the Mount Taranaki Summit Route Tramping Video, which has been viewed approximately 66,000 times. This video series has contributed to a decrease in safety incidents on the Mount Taranaki Summit Track.
The MSC has also provided top 6 evidence-based recommendations for anyone thinking of attempting to reach the summit of Taranaki Maunga. These include only considering the Mount Taranaki Summit Track, not attempting in poor weather, leaving early, stopping every hour to reassess, attempting only between January and April, and watching the Mount Taranaki Summit Route safety video.
It's crucial to remember that Mount Taranaki, while a beautiful and challenging destination, requires careful planning and respect. Multiple unmarked and unofficial climbing routes on Taranaki Maunga require a high degree of mountain skills and experience.
Mount Taranaki, the second highest mountain in the North Island, stands alone as a near-perfect volcanic cone. Its allure and challenges continue to attract adventurers, but with the right preparation and respect for its dangers, it can be a rewarding experience.
The Mount Taranaki Summit Route Tramping Video series and its impact research received national recognition at the 2021 NZ Research Association Effectiveness Awards, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in promoting safety in the outdoors.
