Ruatoria > Mount Hikurangi

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That looks like the mountain I will be climbing this afternoon.

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Or that one? They are everywhere!

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Or that one?

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Ah, “wild” cows again. I’m going to get into the same “issue” as East Cape where cows were scared of me and run all around to the point they would hurt themselves.

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A farmer I met along the way told me that I will see the Hikurangi mountain once I reach this point. In fact, I’m going to ride on the furthers one, straight up from the yellow sign front of me.

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I am approaching.

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Finally, after the first 25km I’m on the last bridge which separates myself from the start of the track.

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Aaaah, I think that’s THE mountain where I’m heading.

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If I move, they will do too.

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Phew! I’ve done a lot already.

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A short break is appreciated but this spot is so windy!

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I think I can distinguish the hut on the right hand side between those patches of light.

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video link: <iframe title="NZ, Hikurangi mountain, lambs" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F9rKne-Azt4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Ooooh :-). So cute!

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I’m roughly 900 meters above sea level and the view is getting Wow! :-).

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The bicycle track stops here. I found a spot on the side where I can kind of hide my bike for the night. Hopefully, no one finds it for a downhill.

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The view is a little bit covered today.

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1000 meters plateau! The sculptures are there!

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These carvings are wonderful!
I will take more pictures in details later because it’s raining now…

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Heading towards the hut.

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This my luxury hotel for tonight :-)

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Anybody inside?

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I will have a good freezing night :-)

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I was wondering if I was going to reach the summit today or tomorrow morning but I was getting cold in this hut so I decided to go now.

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The start is really steep!

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The hut and the plateau.

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Suddenly, I entered a forest where all the trees entangle with each other. It is pretty dense.

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The blue sky is back! Good :-).

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I think I’m not so far from the summit now.

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I haven’t see any yellow stick since I reached this area.

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The view is becoming very impressive!

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Not far from the top. The rocks are covered by ice!

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Phew!

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More icy rocks!

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Finally, I’ve reach the summit, 1785m! I’m facing the second Hikurangi summit that seams to be the same height.

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The top of the top :-)

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This point is THE first place to see the sunrise in New Zealand BEFORE East Cape but certainly by few seconds only.

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I wanted to take a wider picture but my camera settings are limited. I have only 10 seconds to walk away from the camera once I press the shutter.

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I came from somewhere in that valley.

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Actually when I zoom in, I can see the track that I rode on early today. By walk, it takes between 4 to 6 hours to reach the carvings but I did it in 3h15 minutes :-).

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It’s interesting to see all the track from here. And I did it by bike. Usually it takes between 4 and 6 hours to reach the carving but I did it in 3 hours and 15 minutes :-). Haha!

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This is a sample of the flora which covers most of the summit area of Hikurangi mountain. Once I lost the track, I had no choice but to step on top of this wonderful vegetation.

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On my way back I found some semi dry wood. I hope it will work because that hut is really cold!

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It’s not a big fire but it’s better than nothing.

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Oooh, the clouds are coming back :-) I got really lucky.

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Oohhh the clouds are coming :-)

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Finally in my sleeping bag. I feel warm now but outside, I mean, outside of the sleeping bag, it’s freezing! Good night!