Fiordland National Park, February 2025
Mitre Peak is a very memorable day out with dramatic views, needing a short paddle to get to the base of the climb and back. I would recommend this for those comfortable with a lot of exposure, and on a fine weather day only (no rain/moisture and take note of the wind forecast for the return paddle).
We started paddling around 7.30am, returning to the car around 8pm – so around 12.5 hours return for our trip.
We were a party of 3 people and paddled there in a single sea kayak and double packraft. We took a short rope in case needed, but didn’t end up using it. Assume you won’t get any water on the climb, and so fill up at the Sinbad Gully creek for a full day.
The Mitre Peak route
Our morning paddle to the base of the climb
Our short paddle over the base of the climb was nice and calm, and gave a us a chance to scope the ascent. On arrival to Sinbad Gully we stashed our paddling gear (quickly due to the arrival of sandflies!), and started up a trap line on true left of the river.
We had been told there is a track off the trap line and up the ridge if you head along this river for a bit (a good few hundred metres). If we hadn’t been told this, my inclination based on the topo would have been to head straight up the ridge, but if there was a track up – worth the effort to find it.
We were actually just engrossed in our conversation and didn’t spot / overshot the track, so ended up bush bashing a few hundred metres of elevation gain and slowly made our way diagonally back onto the ridge until we intersected a track heading up. Later that day as we finished the descent, we noticed a damaged sign on the ground marking this turn off so propped that back up.
A topo of our line, a bush walking picture and first views of the upper ridge are below.
Arriving at the base where we stashed our paddle gear
Topo of the ridge-route up to Mitre Peak
Bush travel on the way up
First views of the higher ridge section
On the top of the Footstool we stashed some water to collect for the way down and lighten for the climb ahead, and a little further along before the steeper ascent started, we left our walking poles to collect on return for the descent. It was good to be hands-free for the upper ridge.
Shortly after this nice broad ridge section in the image below, you can see the incline increase. As we hit this, the exposure is suddenly very present within a few steps as you look right down to the ocean below. The views are great, but from this point on I just went section by section to maintain head game – and was definitely not too proud to turn around if needed. What worked for me was to just be sure everything I did was reversable for me.
Travel on the saddle after the Footstool
A rocky broad ridge section, after the first exposed ascent section just below this
After the first notable and exposed grassy ascent section, it was great to be on rock again (more secure) and have a nice broad ridge to have a little break from the exposure (image above). The climb is a mix of highly exposed sections, with little bits where there is some relief. For me personally, the breaks from the highly exposed sections (and taking it section-by-section), are what made the whole thing achievable. The two others with me had no trouble with the exposure at all – you never know how you’ll be until you’re in it (or have done things with comparable exposure before).
A few images of our ascent and descent are below to get a sense of the type of travel. Arriving nearer the top, things definitely flattened out. I was a little surprised that I found coming down simpler than going up from an exposure perspective – perhaps it was just getting used to it.
Coming down as you hit the bush again, there are quite a number of false trails that take you left(and to very vertical terrain). Just take note it’s easy to follow these as the trails look so established. It’s worth paying attention to keep to the ridge proper!
Making our way up
A view down the ridge as we climbed
Nearing the summit, things flatten off
Summit shot, before beginning the careful descent
A shot of the descent through weaknesses in the rock
One of the little notch sections on the way down
We got to the base / Sinbad Gully around 6.30-7pm which was perfect timing to get onto the water and paddle back in daylight. The wind had picked up notably since the morning with some healthy waves behind us. This was great for speed / getting back, but definitely trickier for the two of us in a packraft – we were envious of the sea kayak.
Overall – an extremely rewarding and adventurous day out. Definitely recommended for those comfortable and experienced with exposure – but I don’t think this is the trip you do without prior experience in steeper terrain and knowing your abilities quite well.
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