Look no further — this is the ultimate New Zealand Peak Challenge. Climb the 100 New Zealand peaks selected by the New Zealand Alpine Club for the Club's centenary in 1991. According to NZAC, it's “a carefully thought out list that is designed to encourage participation in mountaineering at all levels." Includes "relatively easy peaks, very hard and steep peaks, and a number of very remote peaks." A difficult, lifetime achievement, completed for the first time 30 years after inception. See more at http://alpineclub.org.nz
Highest peak
Mount Cook
12,217 ft / 3,723 m
Most prominent peak
Mount Cook
12,217 ft / 3,723 m prom
Most climbed peak
Avalanche Peak
40 climbs
Most difficult peak
no info yet
Difficulty breakdown
no info yet
Highlights
- In 2021, Don French became the first person to complete the challenge: https://alpineclub.org.nz/news/don-french-becomes-first-person-complete-100-peaks-challenge
Latest climbs
"Straightforward mid winter tramp up the standard scotts creek route.
Hardly any snow cover for late July.
Shame about all the invasive douglas fir down low. Good to see they're clearing it out now. " — AidanAstwood • Jul 22, 2025
"Beautiful autumn day with minimal clouds and warm weather. Great view of Mt Rolleston from the summit. 2hrs 15 to the top for a lunchbreak then a scramble descent down Scotts track in 1hr 15" — josephhikes • Mar 12, 2025
"The logged track was just from the hut to the summit, it goes up quickly from the hut and then takes you most of the way around the mountain before heading up the scree. The scree took us longer than most as my son (11yr) found it difficult but most adults would find it challenge.
Day 1 we tramped from the car park by the Waka up the farm track which had horses with foals, bulls with cows and calves at foot and ewes and lambs none of which bothered to notice we were there. The track is open and I am thankful it was overcast as the trip home wasn’t and it gets hot. The wind did pick up as we got closer to the hut and howled through the night before dying out around 5am. This took 3.5 hours including stops, it is a good track.
Day 2 We went to the carvings for sunrise had breakfast and started our ascent, the track goes up quickly at the start before it flattens and you walk most of the way around the mountain. We found a Pāua slug on trail and plenty of Flora I haven’t seen before but it was flourishing, including what became known as our spiky friend who looks a bit like the top of a pineapple before it flowers (leaves and flowers are very spiky). There is also a cool yarn that o..." — loganscott • Dec 28, 2024
"3 day trip, probably one of the most challenging peaks in NZ. While only moderately difficult, getting the snow conditions and weather window right is tricky. 17 parties before us failed according to the Cameron Hut log book." — kevinpatterson • Nov 13, 2024
"Walked up from Mangawhero falls peak through skifield. Hard rime ice made for good cramponing. -4°C and moderate breeze at top. Returned same way and hitched ride back down to car from Turoa base." — AidanAstwood • Jun 26, 2024