Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Posted on May 20, 2025

Year 11 students from Macleans College’s Mana and Challenge classes tested their endurance and teamwork on the iconic Pinnacles Walk in the Kauaeranga Valley.

The Pinnacles, located upriver from Thames in the Coromandel Forest Park, are part of a historic mountain range. The track follows an original packhorse route built in the early 1900s, once used by kauri bushmen.

Each class approached the hike differently. Mana students reached the summit, then stayed overnight in the Department of Conservation hut before returning to the Kauaeranga Valley car park the next day. Challenge students completed the full return hike in one day, then camped at the base of the mountain ranges.

Weather conditions weren’t ideal, with low visibility and intermittent rain. Despite this, students demonstrated grit, resilience and determination.

Challenge mana pinnacles 001 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 002 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 003 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 004 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 005 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 006 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 007 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 008 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 009 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles

Challenge mana pinnacles 010 — Macleans College students conquer the Pinnacles