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  5. Baring Head

Baring Head

(229 routes)

On a rugged beach, squeezed between the southern tip of the North Island and the often wild Cook Strait, Baring Head was the birthplace of bouldering in New Zealand. It has been a forging ground for some of New Zealand’s best climbers.
The greywacke rock is slick and crimpy. Many proud and intimidating boulder problems rise up to eight metres above coarse sandy landings. The best that Baring Head has to offer is bouldering from a bygone era, where poise and composure, rather than difficulty, is paramount.
Perhaps the best of best is the Dirty Dozen circuit of V1 to V4 routes on the Overhanging and Only the Good Die Young Walls.
But those seeking pure physical challenges will not be disappointed, with iconic test pieces such as A Show Of Strength (V8) and Check Your Head (V10), as well as enormous potential for hard eliminate problems.
If sport climbing is more your cup of tea, the nearby Ship Rock offers half a dozen surprisingly enjoyable clip-ups.

Type: 
Crag
Altitude: 
2m
Walk time: 
15 min
Access: 

Baring Head is a part of the East Harbour Regional Park, administered by the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
From Wellington by car, drive to Wainuiomata and follow the main road south until you reach the Coast Road. The road takes you to the south coast, which takes about 15 minutes, and a carpark with direct access to the beach.
Walk west along the beach to the rocks. The walk nearly always involves crossing the Wainuiomata River. If the sea is relatively calm, cross at the river mouth. If there is a big sea running, cross closer to the carpark. Take care.
It is possible to get to Baring Head on a bike. Either catch a bus to Eastbourne or ferry to Days Bay. Cycle south around the coast until you come to Baring Head (about an hour from Days Bay). Save some energy for the ride back.

New Zealand map

Map, Topo

Lat/Lon: 
-41.409300000000, 174.868000000000
NZMS260: 
R28 662 758
Topo50: 
BQ32 561 141
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Places

Type Title Link to edit content
Boulder Bridging Boulders (14 routes)
Boulder Black Slab (2 routes)
Boulder The Slabs (9 routes)
Boulder Ruffle Boulder (1 route)
Wall Entrance Way (11 routes)
Boulder Lean-To Rock (17 routes)
Wall Long Wall Left (10 routes)
Wall Long Wall Swinging Dyno (14 routes)
Wall Long Wall Central (11 routes)
Wall Long Wall Right (10 routes)
Wall Long Wall Far Right (6 routes)
Wall Overhanging Wall (17 routes)
Wall Overhanging Wall Right (9 routes)
Wall West Wall Left (4 routes)
Wall West Wall Middle (11 routes)
Wall Pyramid Wall (5 routes)
Wall West Wall Seaward (5 routes)
Wall Only the Good Die Young Wall (14 routes)
Wall Alcove Wall (12 routes)
Boulder Split Apple Rock (12 routes)
Wall Whales Back (14 routes)
Boulder Seaward Boulder (20 routes)
Wall Sunset Wall (1 route)

This place appears in

UUID: 
51f6857f-6fec-431d-961f-0a370fe468f4