MOUNT HOLDSWORTH

This year has been a mild winter and poor form for North Island skiing. So when planning a weekend up Mount Holdsworth I quickly dismissed the need for my microspikes (light pack for the win)…

An hour into the drive and my first glimpse of the Tararuas in amongst a dicey frost I quickly regretted this decision… Too far gone to turn back right? Despite feeling like a vaper being able to see my breath, I set off at a quick pace to see how far I could get. It was a beautiful bluebird day but as I neared the hut, it started to clag in. Stepping out of the tree line I was met with solid ice comparable to Canadian winters.

If it weren’t for my poles it would have been a scramble on hands and knees in some sections and once I reached the hut I decided to call it for the day with worsening weather. Thankfully the next morning was more favorable and despite being slow, I made it to the summit. If I can be half as resilient as alpine plants, then I will have succeeded in life.