Tawharanui Weekend Part 1: Mt Tamahunga Hike

To start our Tawharanui weekend trip, we are going to hike up to the summit of Mt Tamahunga (437m) and back. This is the highest point in the greater Warkworth area. Highlights include picturesque valley, lush pasture, attractive native forest, and a rock lookout near summit with spectacular views of Omaha.

Distance: 6-8km (3km to summit with optional explore near summit).
Duration: 3-4 hours (including stops)
Difficulty: More difficult than average (4 on 1-5 scale of difficulty for day hikes we do) on tramping track that may be rough and muddy in places. Main difficulty is climbing (uphill to summit, downhill on way back) between valley (30m above sea level) and summit (437m). Middle section looks quite steep. No special technical climbing ability is needed, but some climbing fitness and agility is required. DOC site includes alert that track is wet and slippery.

Weather Update (Fri 1pm): Metservice forecast (http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/auckland) for Saturday is, "Fine start, cloudy later. Easterlies picking up. (sun+cloud symbol)". No rain is forecast until Sunday morning.

Important Note:
This hike is mainly for experienced hikers who are comfortable walking at a moderate pace up and down steep tramping tracks that may be rough, muddy, and slippery in places. There is no need to walk fast but this hike is not recommended for slow hill climbers. As there is a simple route up to summit without junctions and we'll be going back down same way, we may suggest everyone climb at own pace on way up without stopping to wait for slow walkers. (Anyone who doesn't make it up to summit in time will be met on way back down.)

Meeting Places:

• Initially we'll Meet at Victoria Park New World (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Meeting_at_Victoria_Park_New_World) and carpool from there.
• Then we'll drive to Tamahunga carpark about 1km along Omaha Valley Road on left.
• See Google map directions here (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=Scotland+St&daddr=Omaha+Valley+Rd&hl=en&ll=-36.533916,174.767761&spn=0.519726,0.8638&sll=-36.852153,174.744415&sspn=0.016174,0.026994&geocode=FWS8zf0d7HtqCg%3BFaPk1f0dQBxqCg&vpsrc=6&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=15&t=h&z=10).

Carpooling:

• Carpooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World (transport permitting) after we arrive there.
• If you want a ride or can offer rides from other parts of Auckland, you can mention this in your RSVP comment or Post a comment, then e-mail each to arrange.
• Best if all drivers meet at New World first, regardless of plan, unless driving from north of bridge or have full car already.
• Carpool passengers from New World are expected to give driver $10 if just going for day hike or $20 if camping (longer distance and fewer passengers with more luggage).

Time Guideline:

• 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 World
• 10:15 - Arrive at Tamahunga carpark if going straight there
• 10:30 - All at Tamahunga, introductions
• 10:45 - Start hike
• 14:30 - Approx end hike, drive to Tawharanui (if attending Part 2)

Maps:

• NZ Topo map for Mt Tamahunga (http://www.nztopomaps.com/-36.298525,174.722099,14,Map,100)
• DOC map of Mt Tamahunga Walkway (http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/auckland/mt-tamahunga-walkway-map.pdf) (PDF)

Route Description:

• Start from carpark on Omaha Valley Road.
• Walkway initially climbs over farm paddocks to bush line.
• Once in forest follow orange markers up ridge to concrete helicopter pad at summit.
• Track continues north from summit to Rodney Road. Can optionally explore part of this and/or track westward to another peak about 500m from summit.
• From summit return same way back to Omaha Valley Road carpark.

Bring:

• lunch and drink
• footwear suitable for tramping tracks
• sun and rain protection
• first aid items
• money if carpool passenger

More information:

• DOC website for Mt Tamahunga Walkway (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/auckland/north-auckland/mt-tamahunga-walkway/)

Notes:
(1) The main focus of planning will be on attending the full weekend trip. However, it is possible to just attend Part 1 as a day hike only.
(2) 9:30am is latest time to arrive at New World, and 10:30am is latest time to arrive at Tamahunga carpark if driving straight there. We'll aim to leave New World and start hike exactly on time. Arriving early is good :-)
(3) We may suggest everyone walk at own pace on our way up to the summit without hiking closely together as a group.
(4) We will have a lengthy stop at summit for lunch and opportunity to explore up there.
(5) We'll aim to hike more closely as a group on our way back down.
(6) This will be the first time we climb Mt Tamahunga.

RSVP:

• If you are interested to attend it will help if you RSVP online (even if you are uncertain) and Change RSVP if your plans change.
• With complex 3-part weekend trip, it will help if you specify what you are planning, where you are meeting, and your transport situation in your RSVP comment so everyone can see.
• There are some RSVP questions about certainty of attending, transport, meeting places, confidence, and plans for rest of weekend (only Organizers can see answers). Answering these will help with planning, thanks :-)
• See our RSVP Guide (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/RSVP_Guide) for more details.

See you there :-)