Ascent of Mount Bates on 2013-09-29| Date: | Sunday, September 29, 2013 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Peak: | Mount Bates | | Location: | Norfolk Island | | Elevation: | 1047 ft / 319 m |
Ascent Trip ReportThe hike started from top of Red Road, which can be accessed by car, or for me, by bike. This is about 2km north of Burnt Pine. The roads on Norfolk Island are generally quite hilly and steep, making it a tough bike ride from my accommodation along Cascade Road and Prince Philip Drive to the top of Red Road.
I followed 'Red Road Track', basically a dirt road (no cars allowed though) through the rainforest of ferns and Norfolk Island pines. After a moderate climb, I reached the summit, which is cleared and has a sign marking the top. Unusually, there is a wide, deep hole (probably 3-5m deep) at the summit, behind the sign. Good views of the whole island visible from the summit. This was my first Australian state/territory high point.
I also hiked this 'mountain' two days later starting from the top of Mount Pitt, which is only around 1m lower than Mount Bates but is accessable by car. This is the more popular option for accessing Mt. Bates, requiring less of a walk (500m).
All in all, an easily accessable high point, once you're on Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is incredibly scenic, and also contains some very well preserved convict ruins from as far back as 1788. The Island has an interesting history, including a brutal convict past as well as being the home of many descendents of the Bounty mutineers. |
| Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 424 ft / 129 m | | Round-Trip Distance: | 2.1 mi / 3.4 km | | Route: | Red Road Track | | Trailhead: | Top of Red Road 623 ft / 189 m | | Quality: | 2 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Road Hike, Maintained Trail | | Gear Used: | Bicycle | | Weather: | Pleasant, Calm, Partly Cloudy | | Ascent Statistics | | Time: | 30 Minutes | | Descent Statistics | | Time: | 30 Minutes |
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