Mt Taranaki/Egmont - again...

Having been close to it, my nearest and dearest felt challenged by the need to climb to the top of the mountain - a long haul at 2,518 metres (8,261 ft) - It's one of the most symetrical volcanic cones in the world.  The scramble over rocks and shingle to the summit wasn't for me, especially in 30 degrees C lower down, but I did make about two thirds of the way to the Tahurangi Lodge at my own pace in 2 hours (1492 m/4895 ft). The loose shale on some of the trek down was like walking on ball bearings so we gained a few grazes here and there but it was worth it! (The snowy extras of the cone aren't mine!)