Auckland Outdoors

Amazing views over the Manukau Harbour from our lunch spot at Donald McLean summit. We will be walking the Karamatura and Donald McLean tracks which have been upgraded to dry-foot status (aka gravel). Don't think this means an easy walk in the park ;) as the first 1hr of this walk involves a lot of stairs (1350) and requires a good level of fitness. We will also make a side trip to the Karamatura Falls.

Important things for this trip:

1. No jeans - if you turn up wearing jeans you won't be allowed to join the group
2. Please make sure all your clothes and gear are clean. We will use the spray stations before and after entering the tracks

Distance: Approx 11km
Time: Approx 4 hrs including stops for photography and lunch

Difficulty: 3 out of 5
**As indicated above, the first 1hr of this walk is all uphill (1,350 stairs) and requires a decent level of fitness. If you are unsure whether you are up to this hike please private message me before signing up. While we will walk as a group and wait for people, if you are too slow that affects everyone's enjoyment so please keep this in mind.

Led by Mike F. (027 431 9054)

Meeting point will be the Karamatura carpark on Huia Road opposite the Huia Settlers' Museum. Please arrive before 9am so we are ready to start hiking soon after 9am. There are toilets at our starting point.

No guests, if you have friends who would like to join please get them to join Auckland Outdoors and RSVP.

Donation - Due to increased Meetup subscription costs we ask all members to contribute $2 for this hike. You can either bring a gold coin on the day or make the donation direct to our dedicated bank account:

Helen Kerslake-Forbes 06-0998-0909890-03

If you can no longer attend the hike please make sure you update your RSVP immediately so others can have the chance to join. If you decline within 24hrs of the start time or don't turn up this will be treated as a 'no show'. 3 no shows will mean you will be removed from the group for 6 months.

Limited to 40 people.

Bring - A hat, sunscreen and rain coat are useful as this is Auckland and the weather can change fast. NO JEANS.

Food - Bring your own lunch, snacks, and enough water (min 2l) etc

Suggest carpooling. Please comment when you rsvp whether you need a lift / can offer lifts, which part of Auckland and your mobile number. It’s up to you to arrange this among yourselves. Please bring $15 cash for your driver if you are getting a lift. If the Karamatura carpark is full you can park across the road next to the museum.

Option afterwards to stop for refreshments in Titirangi Village at the iTi - Drinks & Bites Garden, 421 Titirangi Road.

I look forward to seeing you.

Mike

An opportunity for a small group of people to drive down the national park and hike to the Summit of Mt Ruapehu on Friday 4th July and pitch a tent for two nights then on Sunday 6th climb down, drive back to Auckland. Please note difficulty level of this trip is a solid 5. Only for experienced hikers.

To qualify to join this trip you must confirm you:

1. Must have been out with Auckland Outdoors on at least 2 Grade 3 hikes
2. Accept that your safety is your own responsibility
3. Be able to take time off work as we will leave Friday and return Sunday
4. Have a 4 season tent or are able to share with someone else on the trip

If you wish to join this adventure your name will go on the waitlist and once we have confirmed your eligibility you will be moved to the going list. Please make sure you keep an eye out for emails from the leadership team.

Difficulty: 5 on our 1-5 scale
You must have been out with Auckland Outdoors on 2 level 3 hikes to join this event - no exceptions.

Gear MANDATORY

• Emergency Blanket (silver foil)
• Base layer clothing NOT cotton
• Rain jacket with hood (poncho or any homemade equivalent are not
  acceptable)
• Hiking Boots
• Crampons & Ice Axe (just for very top section)
• 4 season tent (you could co-ordinate with another member and share)
• Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow etc
• Gas cooker, 3l water for first day
• Food: plenty of high energy snacks, 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners

NOTE: The above is mandatory. You will be asked to wait at the accommodation if you turn up unequipped!

Transport
Passengers are asked to pay $80.00 to your driver for this whole trip.
Please post comments with your mobile number and area you live in if you need transport or can offer lifts. It's up to you to arrange this yourself.

Day One - We will drive down on the Friday 4th leaving at 05:00am. We will meet at Whakapapa Village at 9:30am and make our way to the summit and pitch our tents.
Day Two - Explore the summit area
Day Three - We will walk down to to the car park and drive to Auckland

RSVP
Please read the whole event description properly before you RSVP Yes to attend. You need to answer 4 questions when you RSVP and this may or may not work with meetup app on your phone. The only acceptable answer to all 4 questions is YES. Please don't be offended if I change your RSVP to No if I think you are not suitable for this hike, or your answers to the questions are not satisfactory.

Donation - Due to increased Meetup subscription costs we ask all members to contribute $2 for this hike. You can either bring a gold coin on the day or make the donation direct to our dedicated bank account:
Helen Kerslake-Forbes 06-0998-0909890-03

Communication
These kind of trips get postponed and/or cancelled due to changes in weather forecast or avalanche warnings etc.
It is important you enable messaging through this website, and that you check and read emails regarding this event. You are asked to reply promptly if required to do so, thanks.

If weather forecast means that this trip cannot go ahead on these dates the alternative dates will be Friday 25thh - Sunday 27th July.

I look forward to seeing you on this trip.
Mike