Access
Waikato
Kinloch

Wāhi tapu site and closed climbs at Kinloch K1

ACAT and local climbers have been discussing climbing at Kinloch with the Trust representing the landowners.

We are excited to finally be talking with the right people and forging a positive connection between climbers and iwi in the area. Many thanks to Taupō locals Anthea and Michael for making these connections.

Climber in blue shirt at the Kinloch crag, Lake Taupō

Harrison Larkin climbing at the Kinloch K1 crag. Photo via theCrag, licensed under CC-NCSA.

For several years there has been discussion of possible Māori artwork in the vicinity of Buckets in the Belfry on the right-hand side of the Kinloch K1 crag, and this area has been listed as off-limits on thecrag.com and climbnz.co.nz.

We now have confirmation that there is a wāhi tapu (sacred) site in the corner at the base of the route Where to from here? In the past this area may have been used for cremations.

There are kokowai (red ochre) markings on the rock at the base of the wall, which act as a cultural marker and a ‘flag’ highlighting the wāhi tapu site.

The three routes closest to the wāhi tapu site are closed:

  • Buckets in the Belfry
  • Where to from here?
  • Waiting for the Ant

Next steps

Please respect these and any future closures, and keep an eye on our social media, newsletter and latest updates