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Mt Tamahunga Hike + Optional Camping at Pakiri Beach

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Hosted By
Karl and Stephen
Mt Tamahunga Hike + Optional Camping at Pakiri Beach

Details

(You need to read the full description carefully, and prepare your answers to the 3 RSVP questions (specified below) BEFORE you RSVP :-)) ...

On Saturday we are going to Omaha Valley for a return hike up Mt Tamahunga (437m). Highlights include spectacular views of Omaha and Tawharanui from summit, a variety of native forest, and hill climb workout :-)

After hike options:

This meetup can be attended separately as a day hike or combined with camping and Sunday hike (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/237949444/) for a weekend trip.

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Duration: up to 2 days

  • Tamahunga hike will take about 3½ hours return including stops.

Distance: 5-6km for Tamahunga return hike (2.5km one way to summit + optional short sidetracks) + unknown additional distance for optional hike & explore at Pakiri.

Speed: Medium pace

  • There can be option for some to hike as fast as they like up to summit if happy to stay longer on summit.
  • As this is a return hike, it can be okay to hike a bit slower than medium up to summit and have shorter lunch stop there, but you need to be able to go steeply downhill at medium pace.

Difficulty: 3 on our 1-5 scale (average)

  • Main difficulty is steep hill climbing with elevation gain more than 400m.
  • Some sections are very steep requiring fitness to go uphill and good balance to go downhill.
  • Mostly on tramping track in forest which may be muddy in place, especially after recent rain. Lower section is on farmland which may also be muddy.

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Important Notes:

  • Because this is a return hike, and anyone who is struggling uphill can stop and wait or turn back with little risk of getting lost on way back down, we probably will not wait for slow hikers on way up hill. You need to prepared to hike alone in case you need to. We will try to ensure no one is left behind on our way down hill.
  • There is one junction very close to summit which could result in you going wrong way if you are poorly prepared.
  • Each camper will need to arrange own camping gear, food, etc, before we meet.
  • You are responsible for your own safety & preparation.

Requirements to attend this meetup:

  • To help simplify things, to attend this meetup you need to:
    -- Be a member of Auckland Hiking Group; do not bring guests.
    -- RSVP Yes on time.
    -- Answer the 3 RSVP Questions as specified below when you RSVP, including "Y" to question 1.
    -- Complete Tamahunga hike with group okay.

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Meeting Places:

Driving Directions:

Transport and Carpooling:

  • Carpooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World after arriving there (transport permitting; you can read more details here (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Transport_and_Carpooling)).
  • If you want a ride from New World there's no need to arrange this in advance: just answer the RSVP questions.
  • Best if most drivers meet at New World first.
  • If you can offer rides or want a ride from a different location you can mention this in Conversation below then contact each other to arrange your own carpooling.
  • Each carpool passenger from New World needs to give $15 to driver, $20 if camping. Bring $15/$20 exact change.
  • Road Toll of $2.30 applies - each way.

Time Guideline: If meeting at New World:

  • 09:15 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet & greet
  • 09:30 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling
  • 09:35 - Leave New WorldIf going direct to Omaha Valley:- 10:25 - Good time to arrive at Omaha Valley car parkEveryone:
  • 10:40 - All at Omaha Valley by now
  • 10:50 - Introductions
  • 11:00 - Start hike
  • 14:30 - Approx end hike, optional refreshmentsIf attending day hike only:
  • 16:30 - Approx return to cityIf camping:
  • 15:45 - Approx arrive at Goat Island for swim to island
  • 17:30 - Approx arrive at Pakiri Beach Holiday Park
  • 19:30 - Approx night walk on Pakiri Beach

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Maps:

Hike Details:

  • Basically we follow red trail on map up to Tamhunga summit and back down same way, with pink trail sidetrack options to view of quarry and to radar station tower.
  • (P) From car park, follow orange markers over gates and stiles, up farmland hill.
  • (1) Cross over fence into Omaha Forest up tramping track.
  • (2) At Te Araroa Trail junction: continue straight-right on Mt Tamahunga Walkway short distance to summit.
  • (3) Tamahunga summit (elevation 437m): can optionally continue north short distance for view of quarry (4) and back. Then return downhill same way.
  • (2) Back at Te Araroa Trail junction: can optionally go right short distance up to radar station tower (5) (elevation 445m) and back to junction then right back down to car park (P).

Camping at Pakiri Beach Holiday Park (http://www.pakiriholidaypark.co.nz/):

  • Campground is located a short distance from main car park and has car access so no need to carry heavy gear far.
  • Facilities are standard for hoilday parks. There are hot showers (50c coin for 4 minutes hot water) and a kitchen for cooking if you need it.
  • Cost is $20 per/person. We pay there. No need to book.
  • Each camper needs to bring own camping gear, including tent (or arrange to share tent, ideally with someone you know, before we meet).
  • If you don't like camping there are cabins for rent too (cheapest are $100 for 2 people + $25 each extra person). You book on website or phone them on (09)422-6199.

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Bring:

  • lunch and drink + additional snack food
  • footwear suitable for tramping tracks
  • clothing suitable for autumn
  • rain protection
  • sun protection
  • copy of hike route map (on paper or mobile device)
  • towel and swimming gear (if interested to swim)
  • plastic bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing
  • additional clean clothing & footwear to change into after hike
  • first-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches)
  • cash ($15/$20 if carpool passenger (bring exact change) + optional extra for refreshments)If camping:
  • tent
  • sleeping bag and other sleeping gear
  • torch
  • cooking equipment (pots, plates, utensils, etc)
  • insect repellent
  • toiletries
  • enough food, drink, and clothing for whole trip
  • warmer clothing for night time
  • anything to keep you entertained while not hikingIf going to Goat Island
  • Boots or sandals to to take over, dry bag.
  • Swimming gear.
  • Snorkel, flippers.
  • Maybe a flotation device.

Additional Notes:

  • 9:30am is the latest time to arrive at New World and 10:40am is latest time for direct people to arrive at Omaha Valley Road car park. We aim to leave New World and start hike exactly on time. We are unlikely to wait for late people. Arriving early is good :-)
  • It is safer and generally more fun to hike together as a group. We aim to do this with stops at track junctions and other points for group to regather. However, there's no guarantee this will happen so prepare well for this hike in case you become separated from group.
  • There are no toilets at car park or on hike route. You can stop at Matakana toilets on the way.
  • We hiked up Mt Tamahunga on Te Araroa Trail (from Pakiri to Matakana Valley Road) quite recently on 4 Dec 2016 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/233300538/). This time we are hiking up via Mt Tamahunga Walkway from Omaha Valley Road - a different track. We last did that on 24 Nov 2013 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/151454932/).
  • If you aren't able to attend Tamahunga hike, it is okay to join us later for camping and unofficially attend :-)

RSVP Questions:

  • When you RSVP, you need to answer the following multi-choice questions ...
    (1) Have you read the full description carefully; do you understand you need to go straight-right, not left, at Te Araroa Trail junction (2) on way up to summit; do you accept you are responsible for your own safety and preparation; and are you sure you are experienced, fit, and agile enough to complete this hike with group at medium pace okay?
    -- (Y) Yes to whole question (this is the only acceptable answer)
    -- (N) No, cannot honestly answer yes to all
    (2) What is your transport situation for carpool from New World?
    -- (A) have transport, can offer rides
    -- (B) will bring transport, can drive if needed but prefer a ride
    -- (C) need a ride
    -- (D) not meeting at New World, going direct to Omaha Valley
    (3) Options: what are you planning to attend?
    -- (E) Tamahunga hike only
    -- (F) Tamhunga hike + Pakiri explore & camping
    -- (G) whole weekend trip - don't forget to RSVP for Sunday hike (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/237949444/) too)
  • Notes:
  • When you RSVP, you will normally be prompted to answer the questions. The prompt does not include the questions and it only gives you a single box to enter all your answers so you need to prepare your answers before you RSVP.
  • Enter single letter answers for each question, and then you can answer in more detail if you like.
  • If you are not prompted to answer the questions, try to change/update your RSVP. If this doesn't work for you on app, try website.
  • If you can't find any way to answer the questions when you RSVP, then message your answers to Stephen (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/members/7405475/).
  • If you don't answer the questions as required, your RSVP will probably be changed to No soon after this is noticed. If this happens to you, you can change your RSVP back to Yes if you answer the questions as required.

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Preparation:
It is important to be well prepared. Before we meet:

  • Know how to get to all meeting places (even if you won't be driving, you may need to help navigate) and set up GPS if you have one.
  • Study hike details & maps well enough so you are sure you can complete hike on your own if you need to (in case you become separated from group).
  • Prepare everything you need to bring (if you need anything from supermarket then arrive early).
  • If you might be driving, have car fuelled and ready to go.

Weather Forecast Links:

RSVP / Are you Going?
If you are interested to attend:

  • Read the full details of this description carefully first;

  • RSVP Yes online soon; by 8:15pm Friday;

  • Answer the RSVP questions as required when you RSVP;

  • If you decide later not to attend, change your RSVP to No;
    Thanks :-)

  • Karl & Stephen

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