GC4ZWKR Great Pinnacle (Central Plateau) (Traditional Cache) in North Island, New Zealand created by GuanoGerbil

GC4ZWKR ▼

A cache by GuanoGerbil Message this owner

Hidden : 3/8/2014

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Great Pinnacle is a pretty intimidating peak no matter which side you look at it. In fact it looks downright scary when seen from Knoll Ridge - maybe that‘s why no one ever seems to go up there. And yet it‘s deceptively easy to climb. Plus there's so much cool geology to play with on the way up, and the exposure from the summit is just awesome!

Great Pinnacle looms large over Whakapapa

From the top carpark, follow the chairlift up the vehicle track to Hut Flat. If you haven’t already bagged my Glacier Hut (GC1CM4F) cache yet, now’s a good time to do it. From here you can look across to the slope before you and scope out your route up (see photo). The obvious way is to go up the tiresome scree slope out on the far left, followed by a long traverse out to the right high up. I recently stumbled upon a much more direct and enjoyable way up when I was out exploring some of the nearby features. There’s a secret gateway through the rock wall guarding access to the summit ridge. Head for the obvious cave (see photo) and then turn left. Take care going through the tunnel as the rock under foot here is especially unstable. Once out the other side, the brave (and not so heavy…) might like to do the traverse over the top across the natural bridge.

The secret magic gateway to the summit ridge

Continue on upwards and head for the saddle on the summit ridge. After enjoying the views, turn right and enjoy the now solid rock all the way up. Some nice scrambling along here, especially if you stick to the ridgeline all the way. There’s nothing difficult here, and it’s much easier than it looks from below. Once you get to the final summit push, you can either take the easier looking lower right path and then up the back, or the direct way up the left (see photo) - either way is about the same degree of difficulty.

Although this is a relatively easy scramble, you need to be sure footed and have a good head for heights at the top. There is a lot of loose rock - please take care with what you’re stepping on and be mindful of potential rockfall with anyone below you.

Almost there. Ngauruhoe and Tongariro behind

Please bear in mind that this is an alpine environment and dress accordingly. Only attempt on a clear summer/early autumn day and when there is no danger of ice up higher. This peak is pure pleasure in the winter also, provided you are competent with the use of ice axe and crampons. But then of course the cache will be buried under ice anyway.

Cache is a 200ml Sistema and is only about 1m below the actual summit (see spoiler photo). Please bring a pen.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jrfgrea fvqr bs fhzzvg. Ernpu qbja naq gura haqre ebpx gb gur evtug

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)