Skip to main content

Frog Pond

OPEN: Access is subject to conditions.
Updated 24 January 2026, by Richard Thomson.

The Frog Pond climbing areas are on private land owned by the Stubbs family. Log in to see access conditions.

Type
Part of

An aesthetic crag in a tranquil location, with some sustained climbs worthy of classical status. The crag consists of the Main face, Tangarahu outcrop to the left, and the stepped down wall with ‘The Temptress’ to the right. The overhanging nose is 15 metres high with the face rising in height back to the longest route of 21metres.
The rock extends out from a native bush covered hill and the quality is good apart from the initial soft and dusty few metres on the main face. A set or two of wires and a range of cams is recommended for the few trad routes.

Image
Approach

The Frog Pond is on land owned by the Stubbs family located approximately 15km from the Waitomo Caves village towards Marakopa. Drive past the Awatiro driveway and the Te Tiro driveways, and down a hill past Waipina road on your left. 1.8 km past Waipina road, as the road begins to straighten out, is a wooden gate off the road to you right. Park here and follow the track in to the crag (see map)

Access (only visible to logged in users)

Log in to view access information.

Add Place Add Route

Places

Type Name Alert
Sector Bottom of the Hill
Sector Stepped Down Wall
Sector Tangarahu Rock
Sector Next Crag
Sector Access Saddle
Sector The Hollow
Sector Main Cliff
Sector Frog Buttress
Sector Saddle Crag

Routes

Reference Title Grade Length Pro Quality Alert Operations
 Sweet Araceli, 15 15
0

  • P1
  • 15
  • Trad

crack onto the face and up to the horizontal break. Step right, onto the arete and up to the next horizontal break to place a solid last piece of pro. Up and step delicately right onto the laid back slab above the roof. [Pro: Trad]


 Walking on the moon, 16 16
0

  • P1
  • 16
  • Trad

The first route at Frog Pond. Start as for Sweet Araceli but upon reaching the arete carry on traversing right along the thinning break into the corner under the roof. Climb this corner up to and underneath the roof for a rest. Traverse right along the handcrack onto the exposed arete of the nose itself. Abundant and bomber protection but be aware of rope drag. [Pro Trad]


 Project, 21 21
0

  • P1
  • 21
  • Trad

Start directly under the nose and up to the vertical finger crack. Around arete to the deep crack systems on the main face until they disappear and then traverse right along the hand crack to the large groove. Run out to the top of ‘WOTM’.


 French Cuisine, 20 20
0

  • P1
  • 20
  • Trad

On the main face is a central crack system running straight up to a big obvious groove. Start left into the lowest point of a curving horizontal crack. This tends right and up to a horizontal break which is traversed right, into the main crack line itself (about 5m up). The rock to this point is soft and sandy but then leads to superb climbing up steep sustained rock. Leave the crack system behind for the technical chimney. Finish up right on big jugs. Ringbolt belay. [Pro: Trad]


 Feral Tendencies, 23 23 8
0

  • P1
  • 23
  • 8

The ominous eight bolt route on the right of the main face. Destined to be a classic. The name rings true, as much for the nature of some particular moves, as it does for the lifestyle choice of the time. Ringbolt belay. John Newby. Feb, ‘01.


 Feral Tendencies Direct Project ( 25 ? ) 0m
0

  • P1

At the fourth bolt of Feral Tendencies(23+), instead of stepping up and right to the finger crack. Brave the naked face directly into the orange orifice.


 Verde Sunset, 15 15 12m 3
0

  • P1
  • 15
  • 12m
  • 3

From the corner right of Feral Tendencies. Super chimney. It was once a mossy nightmare.


 Mutation in my Genes, 25 25 6
0

  • P1
  • 25
  • 6

Left of the arete. Climb up to the slopers tending right towards the arete, then back to centre face. Very sustained. 6 bolts. Ringbolt belay.


 Awatiro arete, 19 19 3
0

  • P1
  • 19
  • 3

Awatiro arete ( 19 ) Boulder up to first clip, to arete and face. A good route with a variety of moves. 3 bolts. Shares same belay as ‘MIMG’.


 The Temptress, 24 24 0m 5
0

  • P1
  • 24
  • 5

Technical crack to start, to sharp sloping crux, to long pumpy finish.


 Tanga, 13 13 0m
0

  • P1
  • 13
  • Trad

Left of the Frog pond is a small face, Tanga rahu Rock. Bolt belays and ridiculously easy access to the top. The crack/chimney on the right (uphill side). A comfortably pleasant natural lead.


 Bite me Gently, 15 15 3
0

  • P1
  • 15
  • 3

Face climb left of Tanga. A wee bite to start with, leads to some nice gentle climbing. Three bolts.


 Flight of the Kereru, 16 16 2
0

  • P1
  • 16
  • 2

On the back of Tanga Rahu are two bolted lines. Climb the centre line over two bolts for a balancey start, a juggy middle, then think again for the top.


 Fugly, 16 16 3
0

  • P1
  • 16
  • 3

Right of the Kereru is a three bolt climb with a face start to hand smears on the arete.


 Joshies chimney, 15 15 5
0

  • P1
  • 15
  • 5

On the North end is a discreet wide chimney. Stretch your way across and up, stepping right at the top onto the arete and face. 5 bolts.


Images

Comments
UUID
 
58bba8e2-f3d1-4a86-b6bf-d23c01ad52c5