New Zealand Walk: A winter tramp up to Pinnacle Ridge

The Wednesday morning started with a good frost in mid winter as 28 hardy trampers from the Manawatu Tramping & Ski Club headed out from Holdsworth Car Park, just south of Masterton in the Wairarapa., to head for Pinnacle Ridge.

Just before the first bridge we headed off on a track along the true left of the Atiwhakatu River. This is a treasure of a track with a pretty 30 minute river sidling over roots, mud and through a stream.

The track heads uphill at the big slip

opposite Donnelly Flat. The next 350m in altitude are indeed steep but the bush is beautiful with large rimu, beech and matai. The mosses and ferns are prolific - a true trampers track!

The track then eases off for the last half hour until we finally step out of the bush into a clearing on top of Pinnacle Ridge (877m).

Snow covers this point and the snowy mountain tops of Holdsworth, Jumbo, Three kings and Peggy’s peak spread out on the other side of the valley.

We could also see Powell, Jumbo and Cattle Ridge huts. A cool breeze kept us alert, with temps sitting around three degrees, minus chill factor.

Above right:The river from the first climb.

Below right: They knocked the bugger off!.

Opposite page: The view from the top. Above: Below: Lunch at the top.

Below left: The route to the Pinnacle.

Above left: It was a steep climb.