More than 270 people have summited Corner Peak (1,683m) near Lake Hāwea as part of a campaign to bring awareness of mental health to the construction industry.

Wānaka builder and mental health advocate Glen Thurston set out on December 1, 2022 to climb Corner Peak every day for 53 days, and asked the public to join him in an effort to stimulate conversation about mental health.

“It’s been pretty overwhelming, the support,” Glen said.

“Everyone that is coming up is there for the mental health conversation, there’s been a lot of support.”

Glen said being outdoors and on the mountain has been seen as a safe place for people to talk. He’s heard stories of people's mental health journeys and stories of people’s loved ones. 

“A lot of people have lost a lot of people,” he said. 

“I could meet each and everyone of these people at the cafe and have a chat for an hour, or we can go on the mountain and talk for seven hours. 

“Conversation is the key. It’s been pretty amazing, the difference in the openness.”

Alexandra climbers on Corner Peak this month (from left) Jennie, Anna, Almari and Charlotte

Read more: Conquering Corner Peak for mental health 

Tomorrow (Sunday January 22) will be Glen’s 53rd ascent of Corner Peak and his final climb. The number represents the average deaths by suicide in the construction industry each year.

“Climbing the hill for 53 days has been hard but mentally there is seven hours a day of talking, there’s been a lot of work on that side too but it has been so worthwhile,” he said.

“I feel real good. I’ve essentially had 53 days of counselling in a row now. That’s what counselling is, you just talk.”

In March 2022 Glen announced his initiative to climb the mountain to help prevent unnecessary deaths in the construction industry and encourage more education around suicide prevention, and to connect tradies to the support needed.

Facts about the climb:

• Each ascent and descent of Corner Peak is a return trip of around 17km
• 53 days is a total of 901km
• Each climb has an elevation gain of 1,570m
• 53 days is an elevation gain of 83,210m - climbing Mount Everest around nine times

Glen said the public is welcome to join him on his final climb. Details can be found here.

A function to acknowledge Glen’s feat will be held at the Lake Hāwea Hotel on Saturday January 28. It will be MCed by television celebrity and mental health advocate Matt Chisholm with entertainment by Jody Direen. Tickets can be purchased here.

Find out more about mental health support available to the construction industry here.

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