"First climb ever. Mt Tibrogargan in glasshouse mountains. Got the car parks confused and ended up at the caves route car park. Far more verticle and less beginner friendly. Decided to go ahead anyway and see how far I could comfortably get. Got maybe 1/2 way up before my abilities came into question. Getting down was less nerve wracking. " — joelsomewhere • Jan 25, 2026

"Amazing Challenging Hike … took us 2 hours to the lower peak … we left it a little late as decided to start our hike 2 pm in the afternoon… in 32 degrees but the next 2 days after would have been 37-40 degrees. Very rocky uphill and some scrambling up.. very hazy in summer so will come back for crisper views in winter.. " — Tillie • Jan 24, 2026

"Straight forward three-day trip with friends from Lake Dobson along the 'blazed/staked' route. Given the good weather we camped right at Lake Emmett (there is no water right at the obvious camp site on the trail above the lake). Had thought of heading back somewhere on the second (climbing) day but the peak presented enough challenges for that day. Used FinniganPeakbagger's GPX trail at times and for starting the climb. Like that person, on the descent we started following the cairned route off the top. Unlike FinniganPeakbagger, we didn't return to where we started the climb but used the cairns right back into the bush a bit further south of the upward path (sadly, no obvious trail in the forest from there though). On the last day, got back in time to join the queue for raspberries and ice-cream at Westerway. " — mcrosswell • Jan 3, 2026

"We had been trapped at Waikamaka hut for 3 nights while bad weather passed. We did try and exit via waipawa stream after the second night but it was slow going as it involved rock hoping and wet feet in streams that had higher than normal water levels due to rainfall. We had also planned to go up to Rangi saddle and head up to Rangioteatua peak which we read later at Smiths stream hut that another group had achieved but we were tired of stream tracks. So after the 3rd night we set off early up past the hut dunny to follow the ridge line to an unnamed peak (1635m) the going was steep but the deer have made a good track for the most part. As we neared the top we realised we might not be able to traverse past the enormous slips but we persevered which included clinging to rocks and saddling the new ridgeline which was made of loose exposed greywacke after both sides of the ridgeline had given way to large slips which we got a good view of, fortunately this was only for 3m. Once we got past this the worst we found in the tussock was Spaniard/Spear grass. It was easy going from unnamed peak to Rangioteatua peak (10.35am arrival) and then over to A6G4 (11.20am) and then down Smiths str..." — loganscott • Dec 31, 2025

"YDS 2-3. Well maintained trail with a lot of rock scrambling. Thankfully there’s some sturdy chains to make the scramble easier. Good to meet the local mountain wizard. Remember to always look within in order to reach enlightenment and maintain your chi. Go to the mirror, look deep into your own eyes, and offer that man a drink." — JC42 • Dec 30, 2025