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At dawn looking east along Neill Ridge towards Winchcombe Peak. Photo: Peter Laurenson

Mt Hector via Neill Ridge, Tararua Forest Park

Wellington Hikes

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Peter Laurenson

A tramper, occasional climber, photographer, editor and writer, Peter has been adventuring for more than 30 years.

By Peter Laurenson

Hot work on Neill Ridge

It’s all uphill to reach Mt Hector on the Neill Ridge route. The first stretch from Waiohine Campsite on the trail that leads to Cone Hut climbs about 500m. It drops a bit as the track branches north to Cone Saddle, but then it’s back into the uphill for another 500m to reach Cone (1080m). […]

About the author

Peter Laurenson

Peter is a tramper, occasional climber, photographer, editor and writer. His adventures, spanning 30+ years, come together on his website ‘OccasionalClimber’. Richmond-based, Peter is editor of FMC’s Backcountry and has published three books: Occasional Climber (2013) and Khumbu (2021) and Aotearoa Light (2025).