Dark Castle

New Zealand / Canterbury Region

Dark Castle is the predator fenced area in the north of Kura Tāwhiti Scenic Reserve.

Contributors
TdG
32 contributions since 24th September 2025.
31 contributions since 19th July 2026.
15 contributions since 16th February 2021.

Map

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Climbs

3 recorded climbs.

Year Climb Grade Climber Style Date
1978 Rambandit E3 John Allen Lead | worked 1978
First ascent.
1979
1980 Easy Listening E5 John Allen Lead 1980
First ascent.
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
First ascent.

Eric Talmadge spent 18 months in New Zealand and climbed the bottom countless times only to fall at the mantle. He famously wrapped a motorcycle inner tube around his knee on the successful attempt[1][2].

References

[1] The Climber Issue 54 pages 34, 35

[2] New Zealand Alpine Journal (1991) page 38 nzaj-archive 1991

Climb Grade # Recorded Ascents Ascents Recorded Between
Angel of Pain 8b+ 4 1st January 1991 – 9th April 2017
Climb Grade # Recorded Ascents Ascents Recorded Between
Easy Listening E5 1 1st January 1980 – 1st January 1981
Rambandit E3 1 1st January 1978 – 1st January 1979