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Lake Taupo

International > Oceania > New Zealand > N Island

Description

On the eastern side of the central region is Lake Taupo, containing some of the best climbing in the North Island. The lake sits in the crater of what is believed to be the world’s largest volcanic eruption. There are numerous cliffs lining the lake, several of which have established climbing. The rock is Rhyolite, a dense volcanic rock that is relatively smooth and solid, and prone to cracking instead of crumbling. The volcanic silt gives the lake a turquoise reflection and makes for some rather nice places to climb.

Getting There

From Auckland head south, from Rotorua head west, from Wellington head north. The lake is a major attraction of the north island, it shouldn’t be hard to find.

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Beautiful Lake Taupo
[Hide Photo] Beautiful Lake Taupo

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Andrew Pearce
Canberra, Australian Capita…
[Hide Comment] A significant number of climbs in the Lake Taupo region are on private property that is owned by the traditional custodians. While permission to climb was apparently given decades ago, recently climbers have been removing signs that indicate areas with burial remains. Hell, one climber even named his route "tibia" after finding a bone and throwing it into the lake.

Seriously, would it be appropriate for you to be pegging in routes in a graveyard?

Unless the climbing community is utterly stupid, you'd think the Australian experience of losing hundreds of routes in Arapilies would be an indicator not to desecrate other people's sites. The climbing community are currently shitting in their own nest.

Not approporiate folks. Mar 9, 2024