AROUND MT TARANAKI !! (4 days, avoiding closed section)

Join us for a 4 day walk around Taranaki Maunga. Part of the track is damaged, so we will try a detour. Total distance 70km.

THURSDAY 15TH FEBRUARY:

• 7am: Leave Auckland.
• Arrive at North Egmont Visitor Centre carpark.
• Walk 12km to Pouakai Hut. 5-7 hours. 500m up and down, 250m up.

FRIDAY 16TH FEBRUARY:

Walk 32km to Waiaua Gorge Hut via alternative route:

• Walk along Dover track to 2697 Carrington Road (5-6h)
  https://www.google.com/maps/place/-39.22421,173.96692
• Walk to Puniho Road (east end)
  https://www.google.com/maps/place/-39.2613,173.9604
• Walk Puniho track, Kahui Hut, Oaonui track.
• Walk 500m west along Ihaia track, find short track to river bed to Waiaua Gorge Hut.

SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY:

• Walk 14km via Brames Falls track to Waingongoro Hut.
• 8-10 hours.
• 900m up, 700m down.

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY:

• Walk 12km via Tahurangi Lodge to North Egmont Visitor Centre carpark.
• 7-8 hours.
• 700m up and down, 120m up.
• Drive home.

GETTING THERE:

• Use the comments section to ask for or offer a lift.
• If 1 passenger please give driver $80, 2 passengers $70 each, 3 passengers $60 each.

ACCOMMODATION:

Pouakai Hut (Thu 15 Feb)

• 32 beds. No stoves.
• $25, or free with a backcountry hut pass.
• Book here:
• https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/egmont-national-park/things-to-do/huts/pouakai-hut/

Waiaua Gorge Hut (Fri 16 Feb)

• 16 beds. No stoves.
• Before you go, buy 1 Serviced Hut Ticket (green) for $25, put this in the honesty box at the hut, or free with a backcountry hut pass.
• No booking required. Sign the book.
• More info https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/egmont-national-park/things-to-do/huts/waiaua-gorge-hut/

Waingongoro Hut (Sat 17 Feb)

• 16 beds. No stoves.
• Before you go, buy 1 Serviced Hut Ticket (green) for $25, put this in the honesty box at the hut, or free with a backcountry hut pass.
• No booking required. Sign the book.
• More info https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/egmont-national-park/things-to-do/huts/waingongoro-hut/

BACKCOUNTRY HUT PASS:

• If you have a backcountry hut pass, you don't have to pay for any of these huts.
• $120 for 6 months, or $160 for 12 months.
• https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-in-a-hut/booking-and-paying/backcountry-hut-pass/

WEATHER:

• https://www.metservice.com/mountains-and-parks/national-parks/egmont
• https://weather.niwa.co.nz/parks/Egmont%20National%20Park
• https://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano
• https://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/rain/cumulative-rainfall?tab=last-7-days
• If the weather forecast is not suitable, this event will be postponed.

GEAR:

• No cotton, no jeans.
• Thermal socks, hiking shoes or boots.
• Thermal top, thermal jacket, rain jacket.
• Backpack with pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof your gear).
• Ear plugs (for snorers).
• Food for 3.5 days.
• Water (I will ask visitor centre for hut tank water levels).
• First aid (basic).
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm.
• Sleeping bag, headlight.

OPTIONAL:

• Hiking poles.
• Buff.
• Stove, pot, cutlery.
• Plasters & other solutions for blisters.
• Air mattress (in case mattresses are taken at the non-bookable huts).

I'LL BRING:

• Personal locator beacon (PLB).

NOTE:

• The organiser will lead the group.
• Do not go in front of the leader.
• Your safety is your responsibility.
• This event is only for adults aged 25+ years.
• We will stay together because it's safer & more enjoyable.
• Do not discard food waste, as it feeds rats, which feed stoats, which kill NZ native animals.
• More info https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/egmont-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/around-the-mountain-circuit/
• Attendees please send $5 to Rafick after the event, for helping to pay meetup dot com costs.