The Wharepapa South area, well known for its stunning ignimbrite rock formations has been attracting rock climbers to the area since the early 1980's.
Today CastleRock and Froggatt Edge, both part of CastleRock Adventure are two of the most popular climbing destinations in the central North Island.
CastleRock: - formerly known as Wharepapa Crag.
With the increase in popularity of rock climbing, CastleRock took a visionary step in upgrading all areas of the crag. This included re-bolting the existing 182 routes and installing a toilet block.
More recently with the new safety obligations for commercial adventure tourism operators coming into force in October 2011, the majority of the climbs on the Lower Tier, used predominantly by instructed groups, have a third anchor installed. Green tags at the base of the route identify all these climbs.
The new anchors have been specifically designed to meet the highest practical achievable strengths for rock climbing anchors, taking into consideration the variable nature of ignimbrite rock at CastleRock. With a high quality monitoring schedule in place, any anchors that are suspect or have deteriorated can be identified and remedied ensuring a continued high level of safety.
All other bolts including lead bolts on climbs other than marked climbs are not maintained and are climbed on at your own risk.
Froggatt Edge:
Situated 5 kilometres away on Whatauri Road, Froggatt Edge has approximately 120 routes from Grade 10 through to Grade 31 and boasts the classic routes 'Terror Incognita', 'Monsterpiece Theatre' and 'Take your Daughter to the Slaughter'.
No fee is charged for climbing here, climbers are encouraged to read the Information Signs.
