mt. manakau

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Mt. Manakau (2608m) is the highest peak in the Seaward Kaikouras. The guidebook notes: "The climb is long, with a corresponding large height gain, and it has coastal and mountain views hard to match." Though some guides suggest that very strong climbers can do Manakau in a day, three days made the 2475m (8200') vertical more manageable. Other parties have done the climb in two days.

Leaving our campground in Kaikoura, we drove to the trailhead on the Hapuku River (130m). A pleasant morning scramble up the river led us to a flat lunch spot, where we ascended the scree to a saddle at 1000m.
From here we followed the ridgeline through tussock and loose rock, surrounded by dense cloud. Many hours later, we emerged from the cloud and collapsed on a high plain at 1900m.
Leaving our camp the next day, we ascended a sunny snowfield to the high ridge at 2200m. Just a few kilometers from the ocean, we enjoyed breathtaking views of the Kaikoura coast.
As we neared the summit, the ridge narrowed and clouds set in. After a tricky circumnavigation of the gendarmes, we summited for a late lunch. The next day's walk out revealed just how loose the rock was: a large boulder sent tumbling required quick evasive maneuvers by two climbers.
Eleven happy, weary climbers