The Dunedin 24 Hour Peak Bagging happened with the usual mixture of adventure, wild beasts, crazy ambitions and near death experiences.
The rules are complicated and can change at a moments notice. Check out the website for a rough guide https://inch.events/dunedin-24-hour-peak-bagging/
I’ve got no idea how many people were actually out there as they can start where they like on midday Saturday and many just DNF during the day or night. To be in for true glory they need to get to Emersons Brewery by midday Sunday under their own steam.
The weather joined in on the fun and from midday Saturday, peaks around Dunedin were being hit by gale force winds, accompanied by horizontal sleet, hail and snow. Occasionally it was only raining. I suspect the snow made it easier as there were tracks in the snow to follow so they were less likely to get lost in the whiteout conditions. Personally, I was sitting at home in front of the fire watching the drama on the chat group… highly entertaining!
In summary, no one died that I know of and there were lots of great sleep deprived tales at Emersons. Most impressive, and very encouraging for me, was that both categories were won by 70 year olds! Whatever happened to Lawn Bowls?
Results
The Pure category was won convincingly by Michael and Ross Davies (aged 70), a father and son team and first time peak baggers. They bagged 118 points by starting a little further afield at Mt Misery on the other side of the Silverpeaks. Although it was seriously miserable they had already scored 20 points by the time they reached the Gap (18 points) which was the starting point for a number of other participants. A smart and efficient route led them to Emersons just in time having walked 73km. They spent a few minutes sleeping on the side of Mt Cargill.
Other Pure results:
Isaac Tripp – 77 points (71km)
Rob Soper – 73 (70km)
Chantal Whitby – 61
Rocky Allan – 60
Hunter Wight – 46
Chris Tipper – 34
Shannon Rhodes – 23
Steve Tripp – 9 (17km)
The Multisport category was a very tightly fought battle with the top 3 being within 3 points of each other.
Dave McLean (Mad Dave – also 70), had chosen against his usual mad route because of the weather report but still cunningly smashed out the win with 140 points. He managed to talk his way into Larnach Castle grounds and get a photo with a tourist for the bonus 10 points. No one knows how much he actually travelled as he hasn’t figured out Strava yet.
Sonia Evers with Myrthe in support were very close behind on 139 points. They would have won if we had included “pig in a trig” bonus points. They get extra kudos for letting the wild pig eat their sandwich.
Sebastian and Lucas won the most coveted ‘Send it’ award. They started at the Cone in St Mary’s Range, contemplated Mt Domett, then did Mt Grayson before bagging Mt Kyeburn (Temptation Peak) for the bonus 100 points. Conditions were ‘rough’. They have probably been converted to multiple religions after the multiple near death experiences. Then, they cycled the wee 140km back to Dunedin into a roaring headwind. They still managed to get back to Emersons first. After all that they only got third on 137 points. 201km with nearly 6000m vert.
Other results:
Quentin and Shaun – 132
Mason, Reon and Ben – 74 (kudos to Ben having travelled from Whangarei for the fun)
Extras
There always seems to be a few people that are geographically challenged and DQ the peak bagging. A special shout out to Jamie Gardner, who found a peak in the North Island somewhere – good effort. Also to Lydia Patillo who ran around Mt Somers at pace and still missed the summit.
Inch Events 