Hiking Aotearoa

Greetings Everyone - On Saturday we are going to do two scenic bush loops in the Ngaruawahia and Taupiri areas. Conditions may be muddy so please bring sturdy footwear and gear for winter. Afterwards we will stop at the Rangariri hotel for food and refreshments

Duration: About 5 hours hike including stops.
Distance: 11-13 km.
Elevation gain: around 600m
Difficulty: 3 on our 1-5 scale for day hikes.
Speed: medium

● Cost: - $20 for car poolers

● First Timers & Regulars:
Welcome First Timers to Hiking Aotearoa, we look forward to meeting you. We ask everyone to bring a gold coin donation to help pay for the website and for safety equipment for the group.

For those wishing to donate directly this is the bank account:
06-0145-0782760-00 - Many thanks

● PLEASE: No smoking, animals, children or guests.

● Health and Safety Information:
Each person who participates accepts responsibility for making their own determinations and for their own safety, conduct and well being; recognising that there are hazards in attending group and outdoor activities and agrees to participate solely at their own risk.

● Preparation is the key to having a good day:

• Check the weather - do you have the correct clothing and shoes?.
• Do you know where the meeting places are?
• Prepare everything you need to bring.

On Sunday, the 26th of July we going to Te Muri Regional Park, which is one of the more inaccessible and lesser known regional Parks. We will also hike part of Mahurangi West Regional Park. and cover a variety of terrain from sandy beach, rocky coast, regenerating bush and farm land with some great vistas.

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❌ New members and 'loyal' regulars are welcome.

❌If you find yourself on the "waiting list" and decide to attend the hike on the day of the event, then please be aware that you will need to hike separately from the group. Only those listed as "Going" are considered valid participants.
There are no "plus ones". If you want to go, you will need to register with meetup

❌Individuals who are unfit or prefer a slower pace are kindly requested not to RSVP. Slow people will hold up the group, as everyone will have to wait for you to catch up. There are alternative Meetup groups available for those who enjoy walking very slowly.

❌If you are unable to attend, please update your status to avoid a "No Show" being recorded next to your name. Accumulating three or more "No Shows" will result in your status being changed to "Not going." It is always polite to adjust your RSVP status if you can no longer participate. Thank you👍
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🚩Summary of Main Details:
📌 Meet: Wellington St Convenience store (unless a direct driver)
📌 Map of hike: https://tinyurl.com/5n7rpksu
📌 Hike Duration: Approx 5 hours 15 minutes including breaks
📌 Distance: About 13.5km
📌Low Tide: 10:50 (26th July)
📌 Difficulty: 3.0 on our 1-5 scale.
📌 Speed: medium to fast pace
📌 Toilets: At Otuawaea Bay & the end of Ngarewa Drive (both places are about 1-2km from start and finish)

🚩 Time Guideline:
07:45 Good time to arrive at Wellington Street
07:55 Arrange car pooling
08:00 Leave Wellington Street
08:45 All drivers arrive at Opahi Bay
08:55 Introductions and group photo
09:00: Start hike
10:50: Low tide (26th July)
14:15: Finish hike (Approx)
14:45 Optional drinks and snacks at The Puhoi Pub Hotel & Stables
16:00 Approx Depart to Auckland
16:30 Approx back in Auckland

🚩 These are the 3 important meeting points to note:

👉1) Convenience store, 110-112 Wellington Street, Freemans Bay
(Where we meet initially - unless driving direct)
https://tinyurl.com/ycxmu3se

👉 2) Opahi Bay
(Start & Finish of hike)
https://tinyurl.com/yrxj8p8u

👉3) Puhoi Pub Hotel, 5 Saleyards Road, Puhoi,
(Where we have optional after hike drinks & snacks)
https://tinyurl.com/y4vcjptv

🚩 Check list:
✔Day pack
✔Lunch
✔Snack food
✔Plenty of drinking water (at least 2 litres)
✔Extra layer
✔Footwear suitable for muddy tracks
✔Hat
✔Rain protection
✔Plastic bags, change of clothes & shoes – so you don’t get mud and water in someone else’s car
✔First-aid Kit or items
✔Cell phone/camera
✔$15 cash/online to pay driver - if a passenger

🚩Those wishing to donate directly this is the bank account:
06-0145-0782760-00 - Many thanks

This trip spans three nights (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) at Mt Ruapehu. We will ascend to the summit Plateau of Mt Ruapehu, visit the crater lake, and reach the highest peak in the North Island, Mt Tahurangi (2797m). Our accommodations will include Delta Ridge Hut, along with two nights of camping near the alpine crater lake at approximately 2600m.
Priority will be given to those who will take part in the Upper Tasman climbing event at Base camp Mt Cook 2027.

Participants are required to have crampons, an ice axe, a helmet, appropriate boots, and a tent. In addition to our ascent from the crater lake to Summit Col and Mt Tahurangi, we will also focus on practicing rope skills. In early 2027, some members of Hiking Aotearoa will take part in a three-day event at the Upper Tasman Glacier, and these individuals will receive priority for this trip. Therefore, you will also need a harness, a prussik loop, and an HMS carabiner. If you lack this equipment, you can rent crampons, an ice axe, a helmet, a climbing harness, a belay device, etc., from me. If your experience in alpine environments is limited, you are still welcome to join and learn fundamental mountaineering skills during this trip.

A general level of good fitness and the correct gear are essential. Regular participants and those who have completed more than three hikes with 'Hiking Aotearoa' will be given priority for this trip. If you tend to be impatient and prefer to run ahead of the group, please refrain from RSVPing, as it is crucial to remain together.

Welcome to Base Camp Mt Cook - Aoraki 2027. We are excited to announce our 10th anniversary of the annual extended multi-day Base Camp trip to the South Island, organized through Meetup. To commemorate this milestone, we have planned a special nine-day journey, featuring hikes and climbs in the Mt Cook region. This area holds significance as the site of our inaugural South Island Base Camp trips in 2018 and 2019.

The first event spanned just five days and included only 13 participants, with hikes that were less ambitious, yet enticing enough to encourage return visits. If the weather cooperates, this trip promises to be truly breathtaking. From January 23rd to January 31st, 2027, we will embark on hikes in and around Mt Cook on the South Island. Our itinerary includes flying into Christchurch, followed by driving two rental vans for approximately four hours southwest to Mt Cook village, where we will establish our base for hiking and climbing in the region.

Throughout most of our time there, the group will be divided, except on Days 1, 4, and 9. For those seeking more challenging multi-day hikes, there is an option to undertake a two-day trek over Ball Pass, followed by a three-day climbing expedition on the Upper Tasman Glacier, which will involve helicopter transport to and from the Tasman Saddle hut. If you are looking for an experience that offers a 'Wow factor,' then this is the event for you!

Group 2 will have slightly less demanding options, yet still feature remarkable hikes, including an overnight stay at the renowned Mueller Hut, which overlooks Mt Cook and Mt Sefton. Additionally, there is a three-day multi-day trek in the Two Thumbs range, which provides views of the Tussock land with the surreal sky blue Lake Tekapo beyond. On Day 4, both groups will come together to ascend Sefton Bivy and Hooker Hut for more stunning views.

Given the unpredictable weather conditions in the Mt Cook region, we have developed a contingency plan to substitute multi-day excursions, which will occur in the Two Thumbs Range close to Tekapo. To wrap up our adventures, similar to previous years, we will organize a 'Farewell Dinner' on our last evening. It is anticipated that a projector will be utilized to display photographs that commemorate and celebrate the 10 years of Base Camp events in the South island.

It is essential to thoughtfully evaluate the participants for this event, as ensuring the safety, enjoyment, and convenience of all attendees is paramount. We seek individuals who are physically fit, collaborative, experienced, considerate of others, and require minimal supervision. Participants who frequently attend Hiking Aotearoa events will be given priority over those who participate infrequently. While you may add your name to the waiting list for potential consideration, please note that there is no assurance of being moved to the 'going list,' even if you are at the top of the waiting list. Additional details are still being finalized, and further information will be provided soon.