Auckland Outdoors

Let's head out to Whatipu and hike the Omanawanui and Puriri Ridge tracks.

Moderate level of difficulty but it won't bother regular hikers. Good level of fitness required. No river crossings but lots of steps! On our 1 - 5 difficulty rating this is a 3 due to the amount of steps and a couple of very steep hills. Please make sure you are ok to hike at a moderate pace including up hills before RSVPing.

Walking Time - 5 - 5.5hrs including breaks for morning tea and lunch. Finish time depends on the fitness of the group.

Three 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 to help prevent Kauri Dieback

Distance: approx. 14km

Led by Helen KF (021 0282 3600)

Donation - Due to increased Meetup subscription costs we ask all members to contribute $1 or$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

A great hike in the Waitakeres with views over Whatipu beach and Manukau Heads.

Arrive 8.45am at Whatipu carpark, just past Whatipu Lodge. There are toilets at our starting point.

9.00am – start hiking Omanawanui track, Puriri Ridge track to Donald McLean summit

11.30am - Have lunch at the lookout

12.00pm - Return to Whatipu carpark by the same tracks, option to also walk the Signal House lookout track (20mins return)

2.30pm – approx. finishing time

Bring - Normal hiking gear and have warm base layers like merino or thermal clothes on or in your pack in case of bad weather, a raincoat, strong footwear with great grip. A hiking pole is also useful for some of the steeper sections.

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

Also please bring a change of clothes and footwear particularly if carpooling.

No guests. If you have friends who want to come get them to join Auckland Outdoors. If you can no longer attend please update your RSVP immediately to allow others to join. If you cancel within 24hrs or don't show up this will be counted as a No Show. 3 No Shows will mean you cannot join another event for 6 months.

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 drivers if carpooling or make arrangements to send them the money via direct bank transfer.

**Please note, the last 15mins drive is on gravel road. Allow plenty of time if you aren't familiar with driving on gravel.

Be sure to read all the details before you RSVP.

I look forward to sharing this walk with you all!
Helen

An opportunity for a small group of people to drive down the national park and hike to the Summit of Mt Ruapehu on Friday 8th August and pitch a tent for two nights then on Sunday 10th 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 8th 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.

I look forward to seeing you on this trip.
Mike