Lata Mountain

Lata Mountain rises to 966 metres on Ta'u, the highest point in the territory, and the ground south of the summit simply ends: the island's southern side has collapsed into the sea, leaving cliffs falling almost the full height of the mountain to the water. The climb from the northern villages is long, steep and through forest that has closed over the route, and a guide is needed. Cloud sits on the top most days.

The landscape

• The summit - 966 metres, the highest point in American Samoa.
• The collapsed south side - the ground falling away in cliffs to the sea.
• The forest climb - the long overgrown route up from the northern villages.
• The cloud forest - the stunted wet woodland near the top.

When to go

May to September is the drier season and the only sensible window. Cloud covers the summit most days. Rain makes the route dangerous.

Things to know

The trail is overgrown and a guide from the villages is essential. The climb is long and hard and the summit is usually in cloud. There is no infrastructure at any point.

Nearby

Ta'u villages are north, and the Saua site is east.

Key facts