NATURE'S NAVIGATORS

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a snowy walk up the south side of Mt Taranaki. This is for people who have completed one of our snow skills events, or a snowcraft course with the alpine club.

TRACK INFO
Terrain may be snowy all the way, or a combination of rock and snow.
Info at doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/egmont-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/fanthams-peak-panitahi-and-syme-hut-track

FRIDAY 22 AUGUST
Drive 5 hours to Dawson Falls Visitor Centre, 1980 Manaia Road, Taranaki.
Walk 2 hours to Kapuni Lodge (500m ascent).
5:54pm Sunset.
Sleep at Kapuni Lodge.

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST
6:00am Begin walk to Mt Taranaki summit (1100m ascent).
6:56am Sunrise.
11:00am Reach our highest point, enjoy lunch.
11:30am Begin walk down to carpark.
4:00pm Reach carpark.
5:55pm Sunset.
Drive 5 hours to Auckland.

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST
If Saturday has poor weather, and Sunday has good weather, let's do something on Sunday instead.

KAPUNI LODGE
No electricity.
No shops nearby.
No carpark nearby.
Takes 2 hours to walk from carpark.
Has tank water, non-flush toilet, gas stoves.
Info at mtegmontalpineclub.org.nz/kapuni.html

HUT ETIQUETTE
Respect sleepers.
Tidy up before you leave.
Take your rubbish with you.

GEAR - SNOW HIKING
Winter mountaineering boots (crampon compatible).
Crampons (no microspikes).
Ice axe.
Umbilical leash for ice axe (e.g. Black Diamond Slinger leash).
Helmet (bike, mountaineering or ski helmet).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Buff.

GEAR - BACKPACK
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Harness (or backpack must have a hip belt).
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Emergency shelter.
Food & water.
Headlight.

GEAR - CLOTHING
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Rain jacket.
Rain poncho.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.

GEAR - PROTECTION
Sunscreen, lip balm.
Sunglasses (with side protection, lens category 4 or greater).

GEAR - RECOMMENDED
Gaiters (knee height).
PLB (personal locator beacon).

GEAR - OPTIONAL
Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).

GEAR HIRE
Organise gear hire early.
Contact Living Simply in Newmarket for winter boots ($50), crampons ($50) & ice axe ($25) per weekend hire.
livingsimply.co.nz/page/hire.aspx
Contact Bivouac stores for crampons ($10) & ice axe ($10) per day hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire
Contact me for an umbilical ice axe leash ($5).

DRIVING THERE
You're welcome to ask for a lift or offer a lift in the comments section.
830km return from Auckland.
If 1 passenger, suggest give $80 to driver.
2 passengers $70 each.
3 passengers $60 each.

BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
We stick together.
Led by organiser.
No littering.
No guests.

TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist with a low priority", then send $40 to organiser for a bed at Kapuni Lodge, key postage, meetup costs and group safety gear.
There is no need to pay for Meetup+

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a snowy walk up to Ringatoto Peak, one of the peaks of Mt Ruapehu. This is for people who have completed one of our snow skills events, or a snowcraft course with the alpine club.

TRACK INFO
There is no water on the track.
There is a toilet at the carpark and a toilet less than half way up.
Terrain may be snowy all the way, or a combination of rock and snow.
Two ice axes are required as it may get a bit too steep for regular walking.

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST
Leave Auckland at the time that suits you.
Drive 5h to either:
1. YHA National Park Backpackers, 4 Findlay Street, National Park Village, or
2. Mangahuia Campsite, which is 6km away.
Get everything ready today.
Make tomorrow morning very easy.

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST
4:50am Cars outside YHA National Park Backpackers, all wearing headlights, ready to drive.
Drive 53km to Turoa skifield carpark, Ohakune Mountain Road, Ohakune.
Helmets on.
Begin walk up to Ringatoto Peak.
We may have time to visit Girdlestone Peak too.
6:38am - Sunrise.
We may return to carpark at 4pm.
5:57pm - Sunset.
Drive 5h to Auckland.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

1. YHA National Park Backpackers
Cost varies.
Shops nearby.
Has hot showers, electricity, kitchen, heating.
Book at npbp.co.nz or by calling 078922870

or 2. Mangahuia Campsite
$15/night
No shops nearby.
Has non-flush toilet, tank water.
Book it yourself at doc.govt.nz/mangahuia-campsite

GEAR - SNOW HIKING
Winter mountaineering boots (crampon compatible).
Crampons (no microspikes).
Two ice axes.
Two umbilical leashes for ice axes (e.g. Black Diamond Spinner leash).
Helmet (bike, mountaineering or ski helmet).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Buff.

GEAR - BACKPACK
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Harness (or backpack must have a hip belt).
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Emergency shelter.
Food & water.
Headlight.

GEAR - CLOTHING
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Rain jacket.
Rain poncho.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.

GEAR - PROTECTION
Sunscreen, lip balm.
Sunglasses (with side protection, lens category 4 or greater).

GEAR - RECOMMENDED
Gaiters (knee height).
PLB (personal locator beacon).

GEAR - OPTIONAL
Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).

GEAR HIRE
Organise gear hire early.
Contact Living Simply in Newmarket for winter boots ($50), crampons ($50) & ice axe ($25) per weekend hire.
livingsimply.co.nz/page/hire.aspx
Contact Bivouac stores for crampons ($10) & ice axe ($10) per day hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire
Contact me for two umbilical ice axe leashes ($5) or for one ice axe hire ($25).

DRIVING THERE
You're welcome to ask for a lift or offer a lift in the comments section.
790km return from Auckland.
If 1 passenger, suggest give $80 to driver.
2 passengers $70 each.
3 passengers $60 each.

BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
We stick together.
Led by organiser.
No littering.
No guests.

TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist with a low priority", then send $10 to organiser for helping with snowcraft costs, meetup costs, group safety gear.
There is no need to pay for Meetup+

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for seven days of hiking. We'll sleep at six DOC backcountry huts around the North Island ranging from $10 to $25 per night. Regular hikers only. Dates are subject to change.

SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
8:00am - Optional: join us at Western Springs Parkrun, run or walk 5km with 200+ people!
9:00am - Leave Auckland.

ITINERARY
Itinerary will be given to attendees nearer to the time.
Each day we will drive to the next hut's carpark and walk to that hut.
Average 6 hours walking per day.
Longest day has 10 hours of walking.
Shortest day has 3 hours of walking (the last day).
Most days can be a relaxed 8am start.

ACCOMMODATION

We may go to these huts, not in order, subject to change:
Hauhungaroa Hut (6 mattresses).
Leitch's Hut (16 mattresses).
Omaru Hut (8 mattresses).
Pouri Hut (12 mattresses).
Rerekapa Hut (14 mattresses, visiting only).
Waihaha Hut (10 mattresses).
Zekes Hut (4 mattresses).

Two options for paying:
1. Buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for $160 (allows 12 months of unlimited use at backcountry huts),
or
2. Buy 4x standard (blue) $10 hut tickets ($40)
and 2x serviced (green) $25 hut tickets ($50),
from Bivouac, Kathmandu, Living Simply, Macpac or a DOC visitor centre. Deposit the hut tickets in the honesty boxes at the huts.
The huts we are sleeping at are not bookable.
The mattresses are "first come first served" which means you can claim a mattress if another hasn't.
I suggest bring a sleeping mat for huts with a low mattress count (e.g. Zekes Hut).

Hut Facilities:
No electricity.
No rubbish bins.
Non-flush toilets.
Far from carpark.
Assume no reception.
Water from rain water tank or collect from stream.

Hut Etiquette:
Respect sleepers.
Tidy up before you leave.
Take your rubbish with you.

Links to each hut:
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/pureora-forest-park/things-to-do/hauhungaroa-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/whareorino-conservation-area/things-to-do/leitchs-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/moki-and-makino-conservation-areas/things-to-do/rerekapa-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/omaru-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/pouri-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/pureora-forest-park/things-to-do/waihaha-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/hihitahi-forest-sanctuary/things-to-do/zekes-hut

GEAR - BACKPACK
Backpack.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Emergency shelter.
Food & water.
Headlight.
Mobile phone.

GEAR - CLOTHING
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Hiking shoes.
Rain jacket.
Rain poncho.
Hat.
Winter gloves.
No cotton.
No jeans.

GEAR - PROTECTION
Sunscreen.
Lip balm.
Sunglasses.

GEAR - FOR HUTS
Sleeping bag.
Ear plugs (for snorers).
Toilet paper.

GEAR - IF CAMPING
Tent.
Sleeping mat.

GEAR - RECOMMENDED
Buff.
Long johns.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
Sleeping mat (in case mattresses are claimed by others).

GEAR - OPTIONAL
Gaiters.
Rain pants.
Hiking poles.
Camping stove, pot, gas canister.

DRIVING THERE
Total driving distance is about 1400km.
We will drive between 100 and 315km per day.
You're welcome to ask for a lift or offer a lift in the comments section.
If 1 passenger, suggest give $150 to driver.
2 passengers $130 each.
3 passengers $110 each.

BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
We stick together.
Led by organiser.
No littering.
No guests.

SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Everything is subject to change.
We may need to change the dates of the trip.
We may need to change the huts we stay at, which may change the hut tickets you need to buy.

TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist with a low priority", then send $15 to organiser for helping with the 10+ hours of organising, meetup costs and group safety gear.
There is no need to pay for Meetup+

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a hut baggin'! 5 days hike, in the Matemateaonga Range, east from Mt Taranaki.

SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER
Optional: 8am Enjoy Western Springs 5km parkrun (200+ people, run, walk, or watch, the choice is yours!).
9:30am Begin 7h drive to Upper Mangaehu Road.
6pm Begin short 1.5h walk to Omaru Hut (8 mattresses).
See Omaru Hut information here doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/omaru-hut

SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER
Walk 8.5h to Ngapurua Hut (10 mattresses).
See Ngapurua Hut information here doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/ngapurua-hut

MONDAY 22ND DECEMBER
Walk 4.5h to Tieke Marae/Kainga Campsite and to the Whanganui River, where the Whanganui Journey happens.
Walk 1h to Puketotara Hut (8 mattresses).
See Puketotara Hut information here doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/puketotara-hut

TUESDAY 23RD DECEMBER
Walk 7h to Pouri Hut (12 mattresses).
See Pouri Hut information here doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/pouri-hut

WEDNESDAY 24TH DECEMBER
Walk 6.5h to carpark.
Drive 7h to Auckland.

ACCOMMODATION

Two options for paying:
1. Before you go, buy four serviced (green) DOC hut tickets, $25 each,
from Bivouac, Kathmandu, Living Simply, Macpac or a DOC visitor centre. Deposit the hut tickets in the honesty boxes at the huts.
or
2. Buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for $160 (allows 12 months of unlimited use at backcountry huts),
The huts we are sleeping at are not bookable.
The mattresses are "first come first served" which means you can claim a mattress if another hasn't.
You may like to bring an air sleeping mat, in case others have claimed the mattresses.

Hut Facilities:
No electricity.
No rubbish bins.
Non-flush toilets.
Far from carpark.
Assume no reception.
Water from rain water tank.

Hut Etiquette:
Respect sleepers.
Tidy up before you leave.
Take your rubbish with you.

Links to each hut:
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/omaru-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/pouri-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/ngapurua-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/huts/puketotara-hut
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/campsites/tieke-kainga-campsite

GEAR - BACKPACK
Backpack.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Emergency shelter.
Food & water.
Headlight.
Mobile phone.

GEAR - CLOTHING
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Hiking shoes.
Rain jacket.
Rain poncho.
Hat.
No cotton.
No jeans.

GEAR - PROTECTION
Sunscreen.
Lip balm.
Sunglasses.

GEAR - FOR HUTS
Sleeping bag.
Ear plugs (for snorers).
Toilet paper.

GEAR - IF CAMPING
Tent.
Sleeping mat.

GEAR - RECOMMENDED
Buff.
Long johns.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
Sleeping mat (in case mattresses are claimed by others).

GEAR - OPTIONAL
Gaiters.
Rain pants.
Hiking poles.
Camping stove, pot, gas canister.

DRIVING THERE
You're welcome to ask for a lift or offer a lift in the comments section.
If 1 passenger, suggest give $100 to driver.
2 passengers $85 each.
3 passengers $70 each.

BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
We stick together.
Led by organiser.
No littering.
No guests.

TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist with a low priority", then send $10 or more to organiser for helping with the 6+ hours of organising, meetup costs and group safety gear.
There is no need to pay for Meetup+