Standing at 2518m above sea level, Taranaki is an imposing figure that dominates the local landscape (a save of 11 negates this). The mountain, used as the backdrop for Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai (as it was filmed in the Taranaki region), is a deceptive killer as often folk who venture onto it don't adequately prepare for the climb and can succumb to its ferocity.

It was onto this volcano (yes, people, she's still active and is now overdue for another big eruption) that 5 experienced Star Wars Miniatures players (and one soon to be converted one perhaps) clambered in an effort to, not only tick off a life's ambition, but to play the most extreme game of SWM ever played. Myself (thekezzamachine), Bevan (co-creator of the math behind the new SWMGPA Ranking System), Bob (kfc's waiting for you), Dave (doug_platapus), Rich (guitarist extraordinare) and Nick (potential convert) ventured out on the 11th February to conquer Taranaki. After five hours hiking and free-climbing (scary stuff!), we reached the summit and played a couple of rounds of a Royal Rumble (known as Battle Royale to fans of the SWMiniverse podcast) before having lunch and decending the mountain over the next three-and-a-half hours.

It is worth noting that my Han Solo Smuggler took the only kill of the game, taking out Bevan's General Greivous. All hail me.

Although I imagine that this isn't the highest altitude game of SWM ever played, I would hazzard a quess that its the most obscure. Climbing an active volcano to roll the d20 is... well, how we roll. So - the challenge is on. How can you best our efforts? What remote location can you traverse to in order to play our beloved game? Scale the Rockies to play and Epic Duo? Take a submarine to the depths of the earth to run that new Nightsister squad you'rve been planning? The chase is on! Your move.

Awesome pics.

I think that senario would better call for a Kit Fisto squad!

Mount Doom is but a 4-hour drive away. And much easier to climb!

I concur. Taranaki is easier to climb than Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom). The Devil's Staircase is painful, and that's before you even get to the scree. Although, if you're looking for something impressive, Taranaki has killed more people than any other mountain in New Zealand.