Mayor island (2 nights) Rescheduled
Details
📝 Details:
❌❗ This is a rescheduled trip that replaces the dates of 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of February, due to a poor weather forecast.
On the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd of March (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) we are going to the uninhabited Mayor island (43km from Tauranga) in the Bay Of Plenty, to camp 2 nights and explore most of the tracks on this dormant volcanic island, nearly twice the size of White island.
The basic plan is to drive down to Tauranga on Friday morning (about 214km) and take a boat for one and a quarter hours to the island, where we will stay at Opo bay for 2 nights in cabins or tents. On Friday afternoon we will climb Mt Tutaretare. We will explore most of the tracks on Saturday, making a circuit of the island and back to Opo bay. There will be 2 sets of steep ladders to climb either up or down, so you will need to be not scared of heights. Saturday will be a fairly long day of hiking, and inside the crater can feel hotter than usual, as it is quite sheltered, so bring enough water. On Sunday we take the boat back to Tauranga, have an optional lunch near the marina, and then drive back to Auckland.
A reasonable level of fitness and stamina will be required. This trip description has been posted earlier than usual to allow you time to sort out accommodation, preparation and time off work on Friday.
❌❗ Mayor island has at times problems with wasps, so be prepared if you are allergic.
👌 Fun Fact: Mayor island was well known by Maori for obsidian or black volcanic glass. They used it for making a variety of tools. Many inter tribal wars were fought over control of the island. It is created by silica rich lava cooling very quickly as it makes contact with the sea.
🚩 Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights;
📌Friday hike : Mt Tutaretare 2.5 hours (6.4km)
📌Saturday hike : Crater loop circuit 7-8 hours (14.6km)
📌Sunday hike : None
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 3.0 on Friday and 3.5 (possibly 4.0) on Saturday
📌Maximum number: 25
📌Location map: https://goo.gl/KvE2UR
📌Route of hikes: https://goo.gl/1c79HH
🚩 These are the 3 important stopping points to note when driving:
👉 1) New World supermarket, 3A College Hill
(Our initial meeting place in Auckland)
https://goo.gl/ZsPhiF
👉 2) Auckland to Tauranga Bridge Marina - Driving directions
(From Auckland to the Marina)
https://goo.gl/WxDhsi
👉 3) Tauranga Bridge Marina - Location plan
(Where we park our cars, depart by water taxi, and visit restaurant)
https://goo.gl/QucKvU
❌❗ Please note: if the weather looks unfavourable then this trip will be postponed and another weekend (most likely the following weekend) will be scheduled. A final decision as to whether we go or not will be made on Wednesday morning before the weekend we leave.
🚩 Water Taxi : We depart from Tauranga Bridge Marina, Pier J15. It usually takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to the island. We may, if lucky, see dolphins following the boat. "Tauranga water transport" require numbers limited to a minimum of 14 (The trip will not happen if there are less than 14 people) and a maximum of 25 people. Cost per person is $160 each return. You will need to pay this amount to me before departure.
❌❗ In the unlikely event the sea is rough, and you are prone to sea sickness, please bring some kind of medicinal relief.
🚩 Car pooling:
Car pooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World after we arrive there. Each carpool passenger from New World is asked to give $45 to driver. If you can, arrange your passengers before we leave, you may find it easier to go direct to Tauranga Bridge Marina without going to New World. Please let me know if you take this option. Drivers when you arrive at the Marina, please park close to "Pier J" as shown on "Marina location plan". The car parking is fairly secure for over night parking with cameras and night patrols.
🚩 Accommodation: We will stay at Opo bay (South East Bay) where we arrive by boat. There are enough tent places for about 20 people depending on tent sizes, so please think about fitting everyone into the allocated area. The administrator can not take individual payments.
Sleeping bags are recommended in the cabins, as you will only get a bunk bed and mattress. You will need to bring everything you need to go camping. There is also a wood fire BBQ in a communal style cook house undercover, with tables and chairs. There is no electricity to re charge electronic items, however a diesel generator runs a couple of hours a day to power lights etc. Although there is drinking water on the island, however it does need to boiled, so bring a couple of litres at least with you.
Camping fee is: $15/night/person x 2 nights = $30. A bunk in a cabin is $13.75/night, or a total of $27.50 for 2 nights. There are only 4 places in one cabin available. Let me know what is your preference when you answer the RSVP question, it is first in, first served.
🚩 Payment: You will need to pay me for the water taxi and accommodation fee for the two nights at Opo Bay. The Water taxi is $160 per person and for camping $30, and in cabin $27.50. So the total amount to be paid is $190, or with cabin $187.50
You need to pay A.S.A.P., otherwise someone else from the waiting list will take your place. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank account number: 11-5401-0349345-01. Please write your exact reference name that is the same as your 'AHG name', so I identify you.
❌❗ You need to pay by the 10th of February, otherwise someone else from the waiting list will take your place.
🚩 🍔 Optional Lunch on Sunday: At the main building, Tauranga bridge marina we will have an optional lunch at "Phil's Place" restaurant (owned by former AC/DC drummer) For more information: http://www.philsplacenz.com/index.php
🚩 Time Guideline:
🔸 Friday:
09:30 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet & greet
09:45 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling
09:50 - Leave New world
12:35 - Approx arrival at Pier J15, Tauranga Bridge Marina, Tauranga
12:45 - Group photo and introductions
12:50 - Boat departs Tauranga
14:05- Arrive at Opo Bay, Mayor island.
14:20 - Climb up to Mt Tutaretare on a loop track, about 2 hours 30 minutes. We may do an extra side trip to North west Bay. This side track option will be decided on the day.
17:00 - Back at Opo bay, set up tents, swim, cook dinner etc.
20:04 - Sunset
🔸 Saturday:
06:53 - Sunrise
08:30 - Depart Opo Bay and start hike up into crater and loop inside.
12:00 - Approx. Lunch at Taratimi Bay.
16:00 - Approx. arrive back at Opo bay
16:05 - Free Time: swim, read, or whatever
20:03 - Sunset
🔸 Sunday:
06:54 - Sunrise
08:00 - No need to get up early...free time
10:30 - All tents and gear should be packed
11:15 - Depart Mayor island.
12:30 - Arrive back at Tauranga bridge marina.
12:35 -"Phil's Place" restaurant for lunch
14:00 - Approx leave Tauranga back to Auckland
16:45 - Approx arrival back in Auckland
🚩 Costs:
$160: cost of return boat trip
$45: if carpool passenger (based on 10 cents per km)
$30: $15/night Camping or $13.75/night in cabin ($27.50)
$235 Total (Extra for additional food, refreshments, etc.)
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://goo.gl/9zpzs9
🚩 Gear check list: https://goo.gl/N8nWDy
🚩 Summary of what you need to do:
- ✔ Answer the 6 RSVP questions
- ✔ Get Friday 22nd February off work, if required.
- ✔ Payment of accommodation & water taxi
- ✔ Prepare enough food and drinks for weekend
- ✔ Prepare camping gear such as sleeping bag, mat and tent
- ✔ Prepare usual hiking gear
- ✔ Have vehicle fueled and ready to go (if you are a driver)
- ✔ Have $45 in cash to give to driver (if you are a passenger)
- ✔ Study description, meeting places and maps
👉 More Information:
🔸 NZG magazine (1989 - but still interesting): https://goo.gl/bjdV6p
🔸 Wikipedia article: https://goo.gl/qNxAxY
🔸 Doc information: https://goo.gl/Ai5vMw
🔸Tauranga water transport: https://www.twt.kiwi.nz/
🚩 Just some hiking group etiquette:
📌 Before the hike:
👍 Answer all RSVP questions whether you are on the waiting list or not.
👍 Study the description and meeting points. Preparation is paramount for an incident free trip.
👍 Drivers especially need to know where to go beforehand, otherwise arriving at the wrong place, can inconvenience the whole group.
👍 Be considerate by keeping your RSVP up to date at all times, and do not pull out 24 hours before the hike begins, otherwise you will block someone who may want to join.
👍 Please be contactable, to others. If organizers need to, or your passenger/driver need to make arrangements etc, then make sure private messaging (via meetup) is not blocked, your cell phone is turned on, and text messages are regularly checked.
📌 During the hike:
👍 Pay your driver at time of departure.
👍 Please DO NOT RSVP if you are going to join the hike late, or leave early. It just makes things complicated and difficult to organize.
👍 Keep together as a group – i.e. not too fast or too slow. If you think you are very slow please DO NOT RSVP.
👍 Please wait for the rest of the group at track junctions.
📌 After the hike:
👍 Bring plastic bags for muddy boots or clothes otherwise you may leave mud and water in someone else’s car.
Thanks 😊
🚩 RSVP Questions: You will need to answer all 6 multi choice questions together. Prepare your answers with the appropriate letters, before you complete the RSVP :
For example: 1.B 2.A 3.A 4.A 5.A 6. 021 123 456
(1) What is your accommodation preference for 2 nights:
(A) Stay in a tent
(B) Stay in a cabin (4 bunks available)
(2) If you are staying in a tent will you be sharing it with someone else:?(Could be helpful, if we are short of camping area)
(A) No
(B) Yes
(3) What is your transport situation for carpooling:
(A) have transport, can offer rides
(B) have transport, can drive if needed, but prefer to get a ride
(C) Have no transport, and need a ride
(D) other (please say more)
(4) What suburb of Auckland do you live, so possible(TBC) carpooling car be arranged?
(5) Will you join us at 'Phil's place' restaurant on Sunday for Lunch?
(Note: If you answer "no" you may have to wait for your driver outside if you are a passenger)
(A) Yes
(B) No
(6) Please give me your cell phone number in case I need to send everyone a text for a last minute change of plan:
Cell phone number?
Important: Please make sure you answer all the 6 RSVP questions, otherwise your RSVP will be changed to "Not going".
Thanks 😊
Are you interested to attend?
If so see you on Friday the 1st March
Please feel free to take part in the discussion below.
Russell
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Mayor island (2 nights) Rescheduled