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Details

(You need to read full description carefully, be sure you can honestly answer 'Y' to RSVP question 1, and prepare your answers to all 3 RSVP questions (specified below) BEFORE you RSVP :-)) ...

On Saturday we are going to the Cascade Kauri area of Waitakere Ranges for a loop hike via Upper Kauri, Sisam, Simla, and Fence Line tracks, and to explore mid section of Anawhata Stream. Highlights include stream adventure with swimming and wading in deep pools, waterfalls, reservoir & dam, large kauri trees, and variety of native forest.

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Duration: approx 7½ hours for hike (including stops).

Distance: about 13-15km.

  • about 11km for track loop + 4km stream

Speed: slightly faster than medium pace

  • This pace will be most comfortable and natural for fit experienced hikers (less experienced hikers may find this pace is too fast).
  • There can be option for some to hike faster up Simla Track

Difficulty: 4½ on our 1-5 scale (a lot harder than average)

  • Main difficulty is technical, on Anawhata Stream.
    -- West section of stream includes several deep pools that require short swims up to 10 metres. (If you don't do this section, difficulty grade is 4.)
    -- Other sections of stream are generally rocky, stony, and uneven, and may require wading in water up to waist deep.
  • Loop hike includes rough tramping tracks which may be muddy in places after recent rain.
  • There is quite a lot up and down hill climbing. Simla Track is very steep uphill. Sisam Track is steep downhill.
  • Elevation: there is gain of 300m from bottom of Upper Kauri Track to top of Sisam Track, a drop of 240m down to Anawhata Stream, another gain of 240m up to Simla, and drop of 280m back to car park.

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Important Notes & Updates:

  • The main purpose of this hike is to explore Anawhata Stream between Chateau Mosquito Track and Trinity Stream which has several deep pools that require short swims. Because this swim section is return same way, it can be optional for anyone who is happy to wait longer than an hour for rest of group to return. However, this hike is mainly designed for those including swim section.
  • This hike is for experienced stream hikers with high levels of fitness for steep uphill climbs, and good sense of balance and agility for downhill sections and stream hike.
  • Not suitable for beginners or slower hikers.
  • Anyone who lags too far behind middle of group during hike may be advised to return to car park, possibly alone. You need to be prepared well enough to return to car park from any position on your own in case you need to.
  • Bring waterproof bags or containers to protect gear inside pack from getting wet, especially any electronic items.
  • Stream may be cold. Best to wear thermal quick-drying clothing during swim sections, and bring some additional warm clothing to change into in case you get cold after swim.
  • You are responsible for your own safety & preparation, keeping valuable items dry, and keeping up with middle of group

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 all 3 RSVP questions (specified below) when you RSVP, including 'Y' to Question 1.
    -- Complete hike with group at slightly faster than medium pace okay (swim section between junctions 9 and 10 on map can be optional).

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Meeting Places:

Driving Directions:

  • See Google map for full driving directions from New World to Falls Road car park (https://goo.gl/maps/MH9yZmKRH1v).
  • Summary: Take exit 16 off Northwestern Motorway, left on Lincoln Road, right on Universal Drive, 2nd exit (straight-right) at roundabout on Swanson Road, continue on Scenic Drive, right on Te Henga Road, left on Falls Road and continue all the way to large car park at end of Falls Road.

Transport & 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)).
  • Best if most drivers meet at New World first.
  • If you want a ride from New World there's no need to arrange this in advance: just answer the RSVP questions about this.
  • 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 is asked to give $10 to driver

Time Guideline: If meet at Victoria Park 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 Falls Road car park:
  • 09:55 - Good time to arrive at Falls Road car parkEveryone:
  • 10:10 - All at Falls Road car park by now
  • 10:20 - Introductions
  • 10:30 - Start hike
  • 18:00 - Approx end hike
  • 19:00 - Approx return to city

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Maps:

Hike Details:

  • Basically, we follow red trail on map, loop anticlockwise, and hike: from car park to Anawhata Stream via west section of Auckland City Walk, Upper Kauri Track, Sisam Track, and Symth Stream; explore Anawhata Stream as far down as Trinity Stream and possibly as far up as Nutting Stream and back; and return to car park via Simla Track, Fence Line Track, and east section of Auckland City Walk.
  • (P) From car park, start on west section of Auckland City Walk.
  • (1) Right up Upper Kauri Track, past Cascade Track on left (2) and Lower Kauri Track (closed) on right (3).
  • (4) Right short distance on Long Road Track.
  • (5) Smyth Corner: Left short distance on Smyth Track.
  • (6) Left down Sisam Track.
  • (7) At junction with Simla Track, go down rough trail to Smyth Stream at base of waterfall, then continue downstream short distance.
  • (8) Right down Anawhata Stream with swim section starting shortly after Chateau Mosquito Track (closed) crossing (9).
  • (10) At Trinity Stream waterfall, go back upstream same way, perhaps as far up as Nutting Stream junction (11) and back same way to loop.
  • (7) Back at bottom of Sisam Track, go down Simla Track to Smyth Stream at top of waterfall, then very steep uphill.
  • (12) Left short distance on Ridge Road Track.
  • (13) Simla junction: right down Fence Line Track; continue past Waitakere Dam on right (14) and Cascade Track on left (15).
  • (16) Right on east section of Auckland City Walk; continue past Anderson Track on right.
  • (17) Left on Falls Road back to car park (P).

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Bring:

  • lunch and drink plus additional snack food
  • footwear suitable for stream walking and tramping tracks
  • clothing suitable for autumn
  • thermal quick-dry clothing for swim sections
  • additional warm clothing to change into during hike (in case get cold after swims)
  • additional footwear and warm clothing to change into after hike (can leave in car)
  • rain protection
  • sun protection
  • waterproof bags/containers to keep pack contents dry
  • map (of hike route, hike area)
  • towel
  • plastic bags for wet and dirty footwear
  • first-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches
  • cash ($10 if carpool passenger + optional extra for refreshments)

Addtional Notes:.

  • 9:30am is the latest time to arrive at New World. 10:10am is latest time to arrive at Falls Road car park if meeting there. We aim to leave New World and start hike exactly on time, and 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 all track junctions and other key 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.
  • We have previously hiked deep water sections of Anawhata Stream on 3 Mar 2013 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/106662422/), 18 Mar 2012 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/56382122/), and 27 May 2010 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/12976446/).
  • There are toilets at Falls Road car park.

RSVP Questions:

  • You need to answer the following questions when you RSVP:
    (1) Have you read the full description carefully; do you understand this hike is a lot harder than average with higher risk of injury, and you either need to swim in deep water or wait over an hour for group to return; 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 slightly faster than 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 carpooling 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 Falls Road
    (3) How much of hike are you planning to do?
    -- (E) Whole hike (can swim in deep water okay)
    -- (F) Whole hike except for swim section (happy to wait over an hour for rest of group to return)
  • 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 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 Links:

Clean Footwear:
Everyone is asked to bring footwear that this clean of dirt before we meet for at least 2 reasons:

  • To help prevent spread of kauri dieback disease (we will also use any footwear cleaning stations provided);
  • To avoid dirtying someone else's car (take care to put dirty footwear in plastic bags after hike too).

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

  • Read the full details of this description carefully first;
  • RSVP Yes online soon; before RSVPs close 9:15pm Friday;
  • Answer the RSVP questions as required when you RSVP;
  • If you decide later not to go then change your RSVP to No
  • If any of your answers are no longer accurate then "change" your RSVP (without changing to No) to edit your answers

Thanks :-)

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