Distance
7.4 km to summit
9.3 km total
Elevation
283 m start
1,253 m max
Vertical
1,388 m gain
Time
8 hr 20 min to summit
9 hr 11 min total
Started by the eastern hohonu River and grunted up the castle hill route in some brutal summer heat. Made it to taff tor after about 8 hours which included some hiding in the shade and some water detours. Water is available only low on the terraces, which requires some spaniard dodging. I camped up just west off taff tor, had some fun chamois encounters and some surprising kaka song which was a hohonu first for me. I bashed out the spur that exits at carew falls. Not the best spur to choose but could be worse.