The way is shut...and the dead keep it

Instead of veging out and watching the last game (and dead rubber) of the Ashes, we thought we'd take a trip out to South Wairarapa to check out the Putangirua Pinnacles. This is the very cool site used in the Return of the King for the Paths of the Dead.

Unfortunately the drive out there was shocking - yet another reminder of why Wellington drivers are the worst of any city in NZ (breathe...)

Although the rest of the coast, including the lighthouse, was pretty boring, the Pinnacles was an excellent climb. Lots of cool rock formations to look at and clamber over!

Interesting that this is defined by DOC as an "easy" track - while the track is obvious (it's a stream bed), it's all uphill and you need to be sure-footed to get up and down. Plenty of people didn't make it to the top although it is worth the effort. Takes around 90mins return. Take plenty of water and something to nibble on the way home!























The Rose