South Waikato cumecs - Jones Landing & Te Waihou - Blue Spring
Details
As part of our South Waikato weekend, we will look at cumecs, megawatts and nephelometric turbidity when on Sunday we will walk to Jones Landing on the Waikato River and afterwards pop over to Te Waihou Blue Spring before heading for home.
Attendees can attend both Saturday (Maungatautari South) and Sunday and stay overnight or just do a single day. If you want to do both and stay please RSVP to BOTH EVENTS. Sunday will start early as I expect most will stay overnight. This event is only realistic for those living in Hamilton, Waikato or nearby if you are not staying overnight.
Everyone goes on the Wait List before getting moved to Going or Not Going. You are required to Prepay within 3 days of being moved to Going or you will be moved to Not Going. Please do not rsvp unless you are committed to Going as no refunds or exchanges will be provided for withdrawals. This event requires reliability for all participants due to accommodation and transport arrangements.
Our first track is part of the Waikato River Cycling Trails following New Zealand's longest river the Mighty Waikato. This short section will take us from Arapuni Village to the popular Jones Landing Campsite located in a beautiful reserve by the Waikato River. The trail head is located near Arapuni Swingbridge. We walk past Arapuni Dam and hydro generation power station. Due to closure of Arapuni Dam for strengthening, our hike will start on the Arapuni side of the Waikato River. Drivers get organised.
After lunch, we will drive to Te Waihou Blue Spring, Leslie Road, Putararu for a short walk to the main area at Blue Spring. We may go a bit further but this is up to the Host on the day. This location is nearby and takes the appropriate amount of time, to allow drivers to get back to Auckland before it gets dark. We are chasing cumecs rather than kilometres today.
THE DIRT - Jones Landing
• Time: Approx. 3.5-3.75 hours including break
• Distance: 10 km out and back
• Elevation gain: 140m (AllTrails seems to overstate this at over 500)
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate
• Terrain: good benched track with some a bit worn. In places a bit slippery but its a soft landing with little risk.
• Grade: 2.5 moderate
THE DIRT - Te Waihou Blue Spring, Leslie Road, Putararu
• Time: Approx. 1 hour
• Distance: tbc km out and back
• Elevation gain: tbc m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: good track
• Grade: 1.5
OVERNIGHTING
If you are backing up from Maungatautari on Saturday...
ACCOMMODATION - book your own in conjunction with other Attendees at Top10 Cambridge or elsewhere ONCE MOVED TO GOING. I looked at a number of of local shared facility type options but it didn't seem viable.
https://www.cambridgetop10.co.nz/accommodation
I understand that TOP10 has a cancellation policy as follows, however check when you book.
75% refund if cancelled up to 72 hours prior to booking.
0% refund if cancelled within 72 hours of booking.
REFRESHMENTS - Saturday night dinner for those the wish to join at The Good Union, 98 Victoria Street, Cambridge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/x2Lsbv3TdUKVoaP5A
This establishment has Good George beers available. If you want to repent find a quiet spot inside. Let me know if you will attend so I have numbers in your rsvp.
Having enjoyed dinner together on Saturday, we will not have drinks together on Sunday afternoon. Drivers are encouraged to take a break if they feel the need. The day finishes near to SH1.
Hike start and finish - Jones Landing
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZSGSb5uyqZqCupXT9
There are toilets available nearby at
Arapuni Public Toilet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/K3qkVAbiJR8bDCJu5
or Rhubarb Cafe for pre start coffee
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GJ6KL5BoBPnVKt8q9
Te Waihou Blue Spring Leslie Road entrance
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZ53iBbApKyUL7TX7
SCHEDULE
6.10am sunrise
8.45am last time to arrive
8.55am introductions
9.00am Hike Start - Jones Landing
12.30-12.45pm Hike Finish (includes a half hour break)
12.45-1.30pm lunch
1.30-2.00pm drive to second hike
2.00pm Hike start - Blue Spring visit
3.00pm Hike finish
3.10pm depart for Auckland
5.10pm arrive Auckland
7.59pm sunset
LOCAL INFORMATION
https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/engineering-heritage-records/power-stations/arapuni-power-station-and-dam/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arapuni_Power_Station
The Power of the River Film 1947 from Archives New Zealand takes you back to a time that Arapuni was constructed. On Youtube
https://youtu.be/GmY52eeM2ZM?si=OoFFX7E2Dac2fP5G
The cost for this hike is $5. Please prepay online Moa Outdoors new bank details. I prefer not to manage cash on this one. Thanks in advance for your bank transfer once moved to Going.
Noel K
BANK
If you have enjoyed previous Moa events, please feel free to invite others to attend via Meetup and leave a review.
RSVP QUESTION
1. Have you read the description/disclaimer and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed? Y/N
2. Staying at Cambridge Top10 and self booking? Y/N
3. Group dinner on Saturday at Good Union? Y/N
RSVP opens Sunday 13 September 8.00am.
HOUSEKEEPING
CAR POOLING:
We suggest passengers pay drivers;
Day trippers $40 return
Overnighters $45 return (4 people)
Overnighters $60 return (3 people more gear for overnight)
Because Moa is a small and friendly group, it’s super easy to carpool with us. Our driver members are very happy to bring new people along. Post in the comment area below if you need a lift, include your area and a phone number. The willing driver member will contact you. As organizers, we will also monitor and help out. Please be organized and on time for collection, don't withdraw last minute. Please also don’t expect the driver to go out of their way to collect you. You might have to get to a nearby location on their route.
BRING:
- At least 3L drinking water.
- Lunch or snack food. Plan ahead and consider perishability.
- Suitable footwear for surfaces described.
- Sun & rain protection.
- Bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing.
- Appropriate clothing for the season and forecasted/possible conditions.
- First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches).
PREPARATION:
It is important to be well prepared.
Before we meet
- As a driver, plan your route
- Know how to get to all meeting places.
- Study hike details.
- Prepare everything you need to bring.
- If you are the driver, have car refueled or recharged ready to go.
- Find and confirm your driver(passengers) whether they go to the pub, if appropriate or going home directly after the event.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks; our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP'ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety and that you have read the description and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed?
TURNAROUND
We don't intend to leave people behind. However, at any time on a hike if it is the opinion of the leader that you are struggling to keep with the group, the leader may decide that you are unlikely to be able to complete the hike in the time prescribed. In this case, you may be asked to turn around and make your way back to the car. This decision will not be taken lightly but will be done with the principle of the entire group enjoying their day and everyone completing in a timely and safe manner. Given the distance travelled and investment for attendees, turnaround will happen on the Wait List for this one. This means that if we don't know your ability/fitness, you are likely to be moved to Not Going. If you would like to attend and are a new member please jump in on one of our 3.0 or lower graded events. This is for your safety and benefit of the group. If you are yet to demonstrate your reliability, we may also take this into account.
Looking forward to a great day outdoors.
Regards
Moa Outdoors