10 Jan 2026

A classic East Coast escape 🏔️

When the NW is roaring and the Main Divide is plastered in cloud, heading east can be the smart — and spectacular — call.

Tapuae-O-Uenuku delivered in full: two nights at the Hodder Huts, many crossings of the Hodder River, then the Staircase Stream rising toward the summit.

At 2,885m, Tapuae is the highest peak in the Kaikōura Ranges, standing well east of the Main Divide and standing apart in every sense — big skies, wide horizons, and a real feeling of space. From the top, the Kaikōura Ranges drop sharply to the sea, while the Inland Kaikōuras ripple away in dry, sculpted ridgelines. It’s a mountain of contrasts: arid valleys below, alpine above, and a long, satisfying climb that rewards patience and good timing.

A timeless climb, a rewarding route, and one of those peaks that feels quietly significant every time you’re on it. Classic for a reason. 🥾⛰️

📸 S. Ball

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