Paths of the Dead

This photo is featured in my book Sweeping Aotearoa.

The first time I visited the Pūtangirua Pinnacles was through the screen while watching... more

by Lance Mosher

Title

Paths of the Dead

Artist

Lance Mosher

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This photo is featured in my book Sweeping Aotearoa.

The first time I visited the Pūtangirua Pinnacles was through the screen while watching The Return of the King when Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas go down Dimholt Road to the Paths of the Dead to convince the no-longer-living army to join their cause.
The first time I visited the Pinnacles in person was in April 2017 on a solo trek. It was my first time seeing hoodoos up close. Yes, those rocks jutting out of the ground are called hoodoos. Believed to be the result of sea levels in the Aorangi Ranges rising and falling, these hoodoos were formed by erosion. It is amazing that such a geological phenomenon is accessible by car and a short, medium-grade walk (about 2–3 hours round trip).
The solo trek didn’t stay solo for long. While exploring the rough terrain, I met Jack, who was the coordinator of WellyMoot at the time. We continued the hike together, nerding out over our shared Tolkien enthusiasm.
To get to the Pinnacles, you need to drive over the Wairarapa from Wellington and go toward Palliser Bay. The drive can be somewhat treacherous, so be careful when every turn reveals a new breathtaking landscape like the often- snowcapped Marlborough Sounds. Cape Palliser is the southernmost tip of the North Island. There you can visit several wild seal colonies, grab a coffee from a tiny cafe, and hike to the Cape Palliser lighthouse.

Uploaded

April 24th, 2023