Occasional Climber

Neill Ridge Bull Mound circuit, January 2019

The view from Cone (1,080m), looking north to the jagged Tararua Peaks
The view from Cone (1,080m), looking south, back along the route up from Cone Saddle (566m) and over the ridge (682m) from Waiohine Carpark (180m)
The view from Cone, across Neill Saddle (900) to Neill (1,158m, right of centre), then left along the ridge to Winchcombe Peak (1,261m) and the ridge continuing on towards Mount Hector (1,529m - the broad mound far left)
The view from Neill (1,158) along the ridge angling right to the base of Winchcombe Peak where the treeline ends. This section involves a lot more up and down than it appears
At the western end of the ridge beneath Winchcombe Peak
The view from Winchcombe Peak, east back along Neill Ridge
A section of craggy ridge west of Winchcombe Peak
A view east, further up the ridge towards Mount Hector
Looking west, up the final section of ridge, beneath Mount Hector
The Tararua Peaks and Maungahuka, viewed from my bivy spot 10 mins east of Mount Hector
The dip between Mount Hector (left) and Bridge Peak
Dawn. From left are the Beehives (1,485m), Mount Hector (1,529m), Field Peak (1,483m) and Bridge Peak (1,421m)
Dawn view east, along Neill Ridge, towards Winchcombe Peak
The sun rises in the east
Dawn view east, along Neill Ridge, towards Winchcombe Peak
Dawn view along the final section of ridge to Mount Hector and the Beehives
Tararua sunrise
Dawn view along the final section of ridge to Mount Hector (centre), the Beehives (left) and Kapakapanui and Kapiti Island (distant right)
Dawn view east, along Neill Ridge, towards Winchcombe Peak
Heading along the final section of ridge to Mount Hector
The view east, back along Neill Ridge, from Mount Hector
The view south along the main ridge from Mount Hector. First the Beehives (1,485m), then Atkinson (1,472)
The memorial cross on Mount Hector, looking south
Approaching the Beehives
The highest Beehive (1,485m)
A view from the Beehives, south to Atkinson and Renata Ridge (right)
A view from Atkinson, around the Dress Circle, to Alpha (1,361m)
A small tarn to the south of Atkinson, looking back towards Atkinson. Mount Hector is centre and Field Peak left
A view east, beyond the Dress Circle, to Alpha
A view northeast from Alpha (1,361m) - Atkinson is far left with False Spur coming forward beneath it. Mount Hector is in cloud, with Neill Ridge stretching down - first the craggy section, over Winchcombe Peak and then the long bushclad ridge
Alpha Hut (1,100m)
A view north from about 1,100m, on the trail between Hells Gate and Bull Mound
A view from near Bull Mound, towards the main Tararua range and Tararua Peaks
Looking east, across Bull Mound
A view from near Bull Mound of Neill Ridge, with the main Tararua range behind. Winchcombe Peak (1,261m) is left and Neill (1,158m) right
Looking north, across Bull Mound (1,060m) to the main Tararua range

Read about it Thirst on the ridge Vertigo February 2019 Hot work on the ridge Wilderness Magazine April 2020 Worth sweating for # 3 NZ Photographer June 2020

Neill Ridge Bull Mound route map

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