First European to climb Mt Taranaki was Dieffenbach at the end
of December 1839. Captain Cook sighted the peak in January 1770 and
named it after the Earl of Egmont.
The area around Mts. Egmont, Pouakai, and Kaitake is reserved as
the Egmont National Park. Areas, on the north slope of Pouakai and
in the west and south of Egmont are popular ski grounds. Ski tows
are established on the north side of the Manganui River and the
west flank of Fantham Peak. Puketi, a small volcano between Kaitake
and Pouakai, is being established as a rhododendron garden by the
New Zealand Rhododendron Trust. A small tributary of the Waiwakaiho
River in the north-east of Egmont was a very important source of
kokowai or red ochre used as a paint by the Maori.
Mt. Egmont is the latest of a series of three large volcanoes on
a single volcanic line. The three in order of age and from the
north to the south are Kaitake, Pouakai, and Egmont. The first two
are much eroded remnants now only 683m (2,240) and 1400m (4,590
ft). The upper 1372m (4,500 ft) of Egmont is composed of lava flows
and, although a few flows do descend to 762m (2,500 ft), the lower
part out to the coast in the north-west and south and to the base
of the East Taranaki highlands was built of vast mudflows during
the Pleistocene glaciation. A prominent feature of Egmont is a
small subsidiary cone, Fantham Peak 1962m (6,438 ft), on the flank
of the main cone and one mile south of the main crater.
A series of eruptions of Mt. Egmont about 350 years ago gave
rise to the Burrell vesicular lapilli and the Puniho ash. A tholoid
of porphorytic andesite occupied the centre of the crater and was
partly destroyed in an eruption which gave rise to the Puniho ash
and breached the crater in its north-west quadrant. Because of this
history of recent activity Egmont is regarded as dormant and not
extinct.
This info is from http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/E/EgmontMount/EgmontMount/en.
One version of Maori history recalls how Te Maunga o Taranaki
(Mount Taranaki) once lived in the centre of New Zealand's North
Island with other mountain gods, Tongariro, Ruapehu and
Ngauruhoe.
Nearby stood the lovely maid Pihanga with her cloak of deep
green bush, and all the mountain gods were in love with her. What
had been a long, peaceful existence for the mountain gods was
disturbed when Taranaki could no longer keep his feelings in
control and dared to make advances to Pihanga. A mighty conflict
between Tongariro and Taranaki ensued, which shook the foundations
of the earth. The mountains belched forth their anger and darkness
clouded the sky.
When peace finally came to the land, Tongariro, considerably
lowered in height, stood close by Pihanga's side. Taranaki, wild
with grief and anger, tore himself from his roots with a mighty
wrench and left his homeland. Weeping, he plunged recklessly
towards the setting sun, gouging out the Wanganui River as he went
and, upon reaching the ocean, turned north. While he slumbered
overnight, the Pouakai Ranges thrust out a spur and trapped
Taranaki in the place he now rests.
Today the majestic mountain, known as either Mount Egmont or
Mount Taranaki, is surrounded by lush, green countryside, blue sea
and skies, and protects the fertile region of Taranaki. It also
provides unique recreational and educational opportunities for the
region's residents and visitors. Dominating our weather and
everyday life with its ever changing moods, the mountain provides
excellent climbing (with care and planning), skiing, tramping and
photography.
The mountain is the source of more than 50 rivers and streams,
and is a botanically unique area containing a wide variety of
vegetation from sub-tropical semi-coastal forests in the Kaitake
Ranges through to sub-alpine herb fields at 1800 metres on the main
cone. Many bird species can also be found in the forests
surrounding the mountain.
Remember this important information:
Mt Taranaki can be a dangerous place for climbers. Weather
conditions can deterioriate very quickly and many ill-prepared
climbers have met their death on the slopes of the mountain. If you
are going to be using the track system in Egmont National Park for
overnight trips, make sure you are properly equipped and well
prepared. Make sure you group has a capable leader and that
everyone is carrying a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, sufficient
high energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof
raincoat and overtrousers, gloves, a hat, and several layers of
warm (wool or fleece) clothing. For mountain climbing, specialist
equipment is essential. Please check any of the Department of
Conservation offices for up-to-date information on appropriate
equipment, and weather and track conditions. Fill in an intention
form at the office and remember to let them know when you have
completed your trip.
Questions
At the above GZ you will find the following answers to the below
questions. Please email the answers only. Any logs that give the
answers away will be deleted, Also you must post a photo of proof
with you log that you have being there this must include your
GPS
Q1. What is near perfect about this location?
Q2. The lava flows are radiating out terminating into which bluff
and cliff?
Q3. Which route does the Summit follow?
Q4. What is the height of the plaque at the GZ?
Once you have emailed me your answers, you can go ahead and log
your find, along your photograph (Optional). You don't have to wait
for me to reply. Please do not post any answers or spoiler photos
in your online log.
Mount Taranaki Statistics
Volcanic activity began in Taranaki some 1.7 million years ago.
Mount Taranaki (2518m) and Fanthams Peak (1692m) comprise the
volcano, the youngest of four Taranaki volcanic centres. Paritutu
and Sugar Loaf Islands/Nga Motu are a spine of lava pushed up from
a volcano and have been dated to 1.75 million years. The Kaitake
Range was the next volcano to form and volcanic activity began
500,000 years ago. The Pouakai Range volcanic activity began about
250,000 years ago, and 120,000 years ago the volcano was formed and
is where nearly all volcanic activity in Taranaki has occurred
since.
The last evidence of volcanic activity on the mountain occurred
around 1755AD, some 230 years ago. To ensure adequate and early
warning of any volcanic activity, the Taranaki Regional Civil
Defence organisation has installed the Egmont Volcanic Seismic
Monitoring Network, a group of five seismometers designed to gather
accurate information about earthquake activity. From this
information it can be determined if it is a volcanic earthquake.
The seismometers have been installed at five sites at various
altitudes. This monitoring may provide weeks or even months warning
that something is starting to happen under the mountain.
According to some versions of Maori history, one day Taranaki
will return to Pihanga and that it is unwise to live along the path
between the two mountains. When covered with a veil of mist and
rain, Taranaki is said to be weeping for his lost Pihanga. But for
now the mountain stands amid its own cloak of deep green bush, a
majestic icon for the region. Already well known for its
unpredictability, Mount Egmont/Taranaki may some day provide a
spectacular challenge.
Above info from
http://www.toa.co.nz/Learn%20About%20Taranaki/Mount%20Taranaki-Mount%20Egmont.htm
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