Waikato Mountain Challenge (Waikato) Ngaruawahia, North Island, New Zealand
By Zorgon on 14-Sep-08. Waypoint GC1G9Z8

Found a young totara tree to the left of the lookout and searched around it but didnt come across it, I not no one has logged for a couple of years though

Hi fellow Geocachers . The last person couldnt find this cache and Im unable to check up on for quite some time. If anyone is keen to take ownership of this cache as I did . Send me a message. Much appreciated

Signed

Have done all but two. Karioi and Pirongia. And that's where I've come unstuck. Karioi is now archived and looking at the logs Mt Pirongia one looks to be missing. So hope the one up there gets sorted. So up here today and sign the log and hope I will eventually be able to turn this into a smiley. Cache was all good.

With Karioi being Archived. I was thinking about using another close cache.A Different Point of View GC3G0KW

Noticed that one of the 'challenges' has been archived.
GC1FAC3

Pretty easy hiding spot haha

Well I found the log just got to do the rest now. Great views from here.

Logged and put the cache back. Definitely a challenge getting up here! TFTC.

Day 2 on the Hakarimata range. I started yesterday on the southside where i found the first serie. After parking at the Brownlee Ave I went up. Stairs, stairs and more stairs. That was a good workout. Time to go South for 5 more caches and then North.
This one is signed for the future, a 'few' more summits to go!

Pirongia (959 m): Summit Fever, GC1BW4R
Te Aroha (953 m): Virtual Views, GC1BBF5
Kakepuku (449 m): Rumbling Tummy, GCJN2R
Taupiri (288 m): Taupiri Trek, GCH6F8 Found 09/05/2019
Karioi (756 m): Karioi, GC1FAC3 DFN 06/20/2019 cache is missing
Maungatautari (797 m): Maungatautari Mission, GC197B8
Pukeatua (753 m): Pukeatua Peak, GC197BJ

On a weekend trip to Huntly with McJandals to do the southern end of the Hakarimatas. After rain on the way over the day before - Saturday was looking good and stayed perfect all day We loved the walk and were amazed how good the track was We were very proud to find all the caches even though some had had DNFs. I think this was because we just did one end and didn’t have to rush Nice to have all those stairs on the way down. Lots more people on this part of the track Thanks to all the COs for some great caches Whoop whoop we did it. What a great walk and viewing platform and another mountain knocked off challenge. List. Will add photo when back homejustvtealise this is final for mountain challenge. I still have Kaori, taupiri and pirongia

On a roadie with NZ Flossy to try complete the Southern end of the HAKARIMATA series, and probably a few others along the way. I am logging using the Cachly app template so please excuse generic logging along the way. It’s just my way of keeping track, but I do genuinely thank each and every one of you cache owners for taking the time and energy to place these caches. Many Thanks for bringing me here. We parked at the main car park to the steps and walked the couple of kms to start at the south end, which in the end was the best way for us to do this, I would have died if I had to climb those steps first!! Coming down was bad enough.Great to sign this log off. Many more Mountains to climb. Cheers

Signed the log but we have quite a distance to go to complete the challenge...like all of them

Signed log but have a few more mountains to climb. Kakepuku GCJN2R found 7/10/2016. Maungatautari GC197B8 found 9/24/2017. 5 to complete.

Easy find after a nice walk to the top. C&K

Found! Got some weird looks from other walkers. Hidden well!

Still here. 5 down 2 to go.

Find number 3690. I had been to the top of all the mountains on previous occasions but that was before I started geocaching. So I have had to revisit the summits again in order to find the caches. It has taken me some time but did the final requisite yesterday. So thought as I was on a roll I may as well do the final today.
I set off from the bottom a little apprehensive as the previous cacher had logged a DNF. Would I climb all those steps for nothing? Steady progress was made. As I was huffy and puffing along it reminded me why I do these climbs. "So that I can heavy breath in public and no one will get upset."
I only got passed by 2 young fit ladies and that was right near the top. Please about that. They were sitting on the platform chatting when I arrived. By the time I had had a drink and the lung had recovered they had left.
It was a quick dash to find the cache before the next people arrived. Thankfully it was a quick find. Signed it. Placed it back where it was. Covered it with natural material. Emerged from the bush. Sat down and the next group could be heard approaching.
After a visit up the platform it was down all those steps again. Thank you for the challenge. A Fav point from me.
My qualification:
16/11/13 Pirongia (959 m): Summit Fever, GC1BW4R
23/11/13 Taupiri (288 m): Taupiri Trek, GCH6F8
16/05/15 Kakepuku (449 m): Rumbling Tummy, GCJN2R
09/02/17 Te Aroha (953 m): Virtual Views, GC1BBF5
31/10/17 Karioi (756 m): Karioi, GC1FAC3
25/11/17 Maungatautari (797 m): Maungatautari Mission, GC197B8
22/01/18 Pukeatua (753 m): Pukeatua Peak, GC197BJ

I had intended finding this while I was up here, although I haven't got the other peaks yet, we're here for 3 weeks so there's hope... But then I couldn't find it anyway!

Well I think I have accepted this challenge well and truly. Achieved Pukeatua peak Saturday and Mt Te Aroha today. So bring it on I say! 5 more to go. Hoping to knock them out by the end of the year. Looking forward to it.

So after hearing back from the CO, we returned today with a replacement cache. It is smaller and well hidden as is required now due to the amazing popularity of this spot.
When I first discovered this challenge, I realised that I had already climbed all of the peaks except Pukeatua, mostly years before geocaching.
My first cache in this challenge was Karioi on my first day of caching. I was introduced by my son and was charmed. After we started the challenge, Steed summited Karioi with my young mountain goat of a nephew, so he has done it too.
My second was Pirongia, in the same summer with my son (2010). I couldn't actually remember signing the log, but when Steed and I returned last summer, we found our name in the log.
In 2015 we had found the Kakepuku cache. The others we did in the summer of 2016, except for our last ascent, Te Aroha, which we found in July last year with Kiwiteachernz. This was a poignant climb as it was only about a week after the tragic death of the original Mountain Challenge CO, Zorgon.
We remember Richard and all that we love about caching as we proudly say 'we did it!'. We adopted some of Zorgon's caches (been to Te Toto Gorge yet?) but wanted to complete this and couldn't tick it off if we owned it, so a big thanks to bori5 for taking this on.
A fav from us, of course.
And we will be back to do the steps again soon. The success of this walkway is another story!

So after hearing back from the CO, we returned today with a replacement cache. It is smaller and well hidden as is required now due to the amazing popularity of this spot.
When I first discovered this challenge, I realised that I had already climbed all of the peaks except Pukeatua, mostly years before geocaching.
My first cache in this challenge was Karioi on my first day of caching. I was introduced by my son and was charmed. After we started the challenge, Steed summited Karioi with my young mountain goat of a nephew, so he has done it too.
My second was Pirongia, in the same summer with my son (2010). I couldn't actually remember signing the log, but when Steed and I returned last summer, we found our name in the log.
In 2015 we had found the Kakepuku cache. The others we did in the summer of 2016, except for our last ascent, Te Aroha, which we found in July last year with Kiwiteachernz. This was a poignant climb as it was only about a week after the tragic death of the original Mountain Challenge CO, Zorgon.
We remember Richard and all that we love about caching as we proudly say 'we did it!'. We adopted some of Zorgon's caches (been to Te Toto Gorge yet?) but wanted to complete this and couldn't tick it off if we owned it, so a big thanks to bori5 for taking this on.
A fav from us, of course.
And we will be back to do the steps again soon. The success of this walkway is another story!

We finished the challenge last July, but hadn't done the paperwork. Today we were looking for a bit of an outing before Steed settled down to the cricket, V8s, football, rugby and LPGA on TV!
Our exercise has been a bit patchy this summer and I have only done my hospital steps routine a couple of times in the last six months, so I wasn't looking forward to how exhausting I would find the stairs. Actually, we both really enjoyed the challenging climb and the descent was great, we ran the paths and tripped lightly down the steps (in the good way). Our time wasn't too shabby and we are planning our next try, maybe next week.
Which is lucky, as the cache isn't there! We have been to it before when Iammrwalker signed (in advance of completing the challenge), but we chose to wait until we had ticked all the others off.
The saddest part is that it still had its original log book which is now lost.
As we will be up here again, We wondered if the (new) owner would like us to replace it.
With the huge popularity of this walk now (yay!) we feel a large cache will be problematic. We thought something smaller, although double contained to keep it dry, either disguised in natural camo or tied in a tree might be more appropriate. We have plenty of containers. Let us know how you feel, we may go up again on Tuesday.

Half way through the mountain challenge! yay! have to redo some of the hills - cause although I may have made it up most of the way the stupid summer weather means I've missed being able to get to the cache spots...

Went up today and replaced the container and hopfully this one will stay dry . Still has the logbook

Is anyone interested in adopting this cache? Please message me if you do.
I have been doing very little geocaching over the last couple of years and it is now time to either adopt out or archive all of my remaining live caches. I will be progressively archiving and collecting the caches over the next six weeks or so if nobody wants to adopt.
Thanks

Waikato Mountain Challenge (Waikato) was transferred from Zorgon to user bori5

Today I climbed Kakepuku and found the offset cache at the top which signifies my completion of the Waikato Mountain challenge! I signed the log here on one of my many trips to the top of the Huks. Its taken a lot longer than I anticipated but I got there in the end. When I first found out about this challenge I planned to knock a summit of every school holiday but got side tracked and it wasn't until I accompanied Steed&Peel on the series north of here and told them about it that my own interest was rejuvenated. They invited me on a trip to grab the Maungatautari caches a month or two back which just left Kakepuku, one of the easiest for last. I have really enjoyed this challenge which has taken me to plenty of placed I probably would otherwise not have gone and got to enjoy. Its also helped foster a new found joy for tramping and for that alone I thank you. An easy choice for a favorite.


Pirongia (959 m): Summit Fever, GC1BW4R 6/2/2015
Te Aroha (953 m): Virtual Views, GC1BBF5 1/5/2014
Kakepuku (449 m): Rumbling Tummy, GCJN2R 27/4/2016
Taupiri (288 m): Taupiri Trek, GCH6F8 1/5/ 2013
Karioi (756 m): Karioi, GC1FAC3 27/4/2014
Maungatautari (797 m): Maungatautari Mission, GC197B8 14/2/2016
Pukeatua (753 m): Pukeatua Peak, GC197BJ 14/2/2016

Unfortunately the container was fully water logged.

Yippee, made it! As this is the first of the challenge, it will be a while before we do the others. Unfortunately the container was fully water logged so we emptied out the water and tried to dry out the book unsuccessfully. Maintenance note log to follow. Great spot and well worth the walk. Now to head back again.

Worth it

I did the cache at Te Aroha on the 16th August, so I guess its challenge accepted only 6 more to go!

With the help of facebook this walk was arranged a couple of months ago, thankfully the weather played ball. Team Welsh, kiwicouple, avoyager, pagenz and trout-fly and myself all signed individually, we found the cache, but i still need to qualify, so guess I'm to be walking a lot of mountains!!

Plans were hatched, dates were organised, logistics of vehicles sorted and today was the day that Pagenz, avoyager, Kiwicouple, Trout-fly, Yorkshirekiwi83 and myself were to tackle the caches between Huntly and Ngaruawahia, Due to the numbers of teams in this merry band of cachers the logs were signed Waikato Hikers or WH. This challenge has not yet been met but would hope to get it finished one day. Think we might have done 2 of them so far.

Havent conquered any of the mountains in this challenge as yet, but as we were passing the cache, signed all our names in the log book. avoyager, TeamWelsh, PageNZ, yorkshirekiwi83, kiwicouple and Troutfly. Hope to make a start sometime to get up and down these Waikato mountains.

Found cache will complete the challenge with a few more hills.

Signed today tramping the Hakarimata Walkway with vistra. Will work on it.....

Before I started geocaching I had climbed all these peaks several times, and finally I've done them all again. They don't get any easier.
Delighted to get this smile.

Pirongia (959 m): Summit Fever, GC1BW4R 9/5/15
Te Aroha (953 m): Virtual Views, GC1BBF5 1/7/13
Kakepuku (449 m): Rumbling Tummy, GCJN2R 20/6/13
Taupiri (288 m): Taupiri Trek, GCH6F8 1/5/13
Karioi (756 m): Karioi, GC1FAC3 1/11/12
Maungatautari (797 m): Maungatautari Mission, GC197B8 31/7/14
Pukeatua (753 m): Pukeatua Peak, GC197BJ 31/7/14

I made myself the first in the group to reach the summit today and had time to find this. Now to get all of the others...

Now we have discovered this one, it gives us a few more to try. We have only done two of the others, so it may take a while, but 'we'll be back!' We didn't find and sign as there were people here, although I wonder if there is ever a time when there aren't!

1.20pm - After endless steps got to the top, spoke to 3 muggles on site with others coming and going. The Squirrel soon returned with cache container which was out in the open un covered. We will sign this as found once we finish the mountain challenge. Climbed to the top of the lookout and what a great vie just as the rain lifted.

On the road again... with Gap (of Fap and Gap). We are heading to the Hakarimatas to hopefully find enough terrain points to complete a Geo License Challenge. This should really test the limits... we've heard that this place has in excess of 1000 steps to negotiate.

Hakarimatas: Just when we thought we'd reached the top via the stairs of doom, the track sign says there is a five minute walk ahead. We arrived at the lookout as the rain and mists were lifting, leaving a clear view of the surrounding landscape below.

We met an elderly man and his daughter-inlaw resting momentarily. This chap habitually runs up the mountain in around forty minutes (puts me to shame)... We spoke at length about caching and the young lady was keen to know more. We also met another chap who regularly uses these tracks for exercise. He told us that he has climbed all of the mountain peaks covered by this Mountain Challenge... So we told him about caching too.

We easily found the cache without using the gps. It was lying uncovered in the undergrowth. We tried to hide it better on return, but there is little in the way of natural material to disguise the container. We signed the log in advance, because we have our sights set on completing this challenge soon.

Pouring with rain but we decided to go out anyway, then as we were at the summit we thought we'd check to see if there was a cache.... And sure enough there was. Easy find, but it won't be so easy to log.
Who knows, we may make it up all of the peaks yet. TFTC

Ah yes, noticed this cache after I had walked up the Hakarimata summit track one time, and casually wondered if there were any caches up there! Well, then i discovered the mountain challenge - what a beauty! So far I have climbed up Mt Kakepuku and have previously climbed Mt Te Aroha and done heaps of caches in that area - ie Wairongomai valley... Today, on a wet and miserable day my hubby and I did the Hakarimata traverse - not the nicest weather, but if not today, then would have been well into the summer and I'd like to lay claim to several or better still all of the other 'mountains' by then! What a great challenge - I'm really looking forward to this summer! Will update this log... TFTC and the challenge

The whole family had a free Sunday, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to come down and complete the Waikato Mountain Challenge, and quite a challenge it has been. Since topping Te Aroha in August 2013, and discovering this challenge, it has encouraged us to do three separate trips away to pick off the other summits (and a stop off for an evening climb of Taupiri on a different trip). Staying overnight on Pirongia (and doing the other peak caches there), the kids spurning the new track at Maungatautari, going up to Karioi the long way, and doing all nine caches on Kakepuku were the highlights. The route up to this one wasn't in the same category, but was a pleasant family outing. Thank you so much for setting this challenge to get us out and about. Definitely a favourite point from us.

BTW, counted the steps on the way down : 1330 from the turnoff from the Waterworks track (647 up to the landing at the halfway sign, and 683 from there to the top).

This entry was edited by Jacksonz on Tuesday, 04 November 2014 at 03:59:21 UTC.

This entry was edited by Jacksonz on Tuesday, 04 November 2014 at 03:59:46 UTC.

I hiked up Mt karioi with a friend Ozzawazza at that stage i wasn't into caching so didn't write my name on the log she called me a muggle. but I do intend to go back and log in the book myself.

Tftc

Did Taupiri Trek today. That's 2 done!

Great cache on a nice summit! I dropped my Stoertebeker and swaped it for Mathilda.
TFTC

I have been here before but not caching, keen to be part of the Waikato Mountain Challenge cool idea.

Tftc love this climb

Awesome thank you. Love the spot

Great run to the top TFTC this is the second for me in the challenge.
Dropped off TB

I have found this before but have yet to claim all the summits. My visit was to drop off a TB that required T4 level, I think all those steps meet that requirement. Glorious day after a lovely crisp frost.

Vitual views 22 sep 2010
Taupiri treck 8 march 2011
Summit fever 15 may 2013
Maungatautari mission 5 july 2013
Rummbling tummy 22 march 2014
Pukeatua peak 13 april 2014
Karioi 29 april 2014


yipeeeee finally i get a Smiley face what a Fantastic cache

Out today with alligatorsnz and a few muggles traversing the Hakarimata trail from North to South. After taking in the great views from the lookout, the cache was soon found and log book signed. I just need to find 7 other Waikato mountain caches to be able to claim the find now!

some would say alligatorsnz stumbled up on this with a little help from the gods...or the touch of a button from accompanying vistra? now only 5 new peaks to find and one resit..( DNF on last look - to F@#$% cold to spend to much time at that other distance peak..) still the muggles accompanying will be pleased, cause they want to knock off a few of those peaks too

What a Awesome idea . I signed the log and will check for the rest as I think I've done most of them . Love it deserves Fav
Maungatautari Mission / 5 July 2013
Summit Fever /15 May 2013
Virtual Views /22 September 2010
Taupiri Treck /8 March 2011

This entry was edited by bori5 on Monday, 17 February 2014 at 08:01:57 UTC.

recording my interest in this challenge to comply with starting date requirements (if any)

Hard climb but worth it. Thanks. Travel bug Don't Get Lost¡¡ was not in the cache.

Found this one today (22/09/12), but haven't climbed all the required mountains yet. Bagged Kakepuku back on the 25 of April 2012, so still got a few more to climb.

Update 29-6-13. Got four more peaks since last log, only two more to go.

Finally at long last I can claim this smilie. Been pretty busy the last few months bagging the last few summits when I've got a spare day. I had been saving the Pirongia Summit for last and today after 8hrs of walking through mud I had returned to the car triumphant. I've been eyeing this cache since I first started Geocaching and back then I didn't think I'd be able to get this one. I started on the small mountains and worked my way up. Thanks for an awesome challenge.

Rumbling Tummy - 25/4/12
Taupari Trek - 16/11/12
Karioi - 23/2/13
Virtual Views - 25/5/13
Pukeatua Peak - 29/6/13
Maungatautari Mission - 10/8/13
Summit Fever - 20/10/13

This entry was edited by HKCB on Saturday, 29 June 2013 at 05:34:58 UTC.

This entry was edited by HKCB on Sunday, 20 October 2013 at 09:54:04 UTC.

This entry was edited by HKCB on Sunday, 20 October 2013 at 09:54:49 UTC.

This entry was edited by HKCB on Sunday, 20 October 2013 at 09:57:58 UTC.

Found while tramping the Hakarimata Traverse. Have done this traverse
before and not sure I like the new staircase found them hard on the legs,
still you don't slide around in the mud so much at this time of the year.
Have found there of listed caches
GC1BBF5 1/7/13
GC1FAC3 23/01/12
GCJN2R 18/01/14


This entry was edited by telstarxri on Sunday, 06 April 2014 at 09:13:10 UTC.

Wow. That is an awesome feat!!! You have certainly set a new standard that will be hard to beat and in the middle of winter too. It must have been a bit chilly for night assults up those peaks. Well done. Amazing the lengths people will go to get a free peanut slab although I think that adventure is worth two! Flick me your address and they will be dispatched ASAP.

What better way to bring up my 300th cache than an attack on the Waikato Mountain Challenge all in one weekend!
16/8/13. Friday. 8:53pm. Te Aroha. "Virtual Views"
17/8/13. Saturday. 2:05am. Maungatautari. "Maungatautari Mission"
17/8/13. Saturday. 2:57am. Pukeatua. "Pukeatua Peak"
17/8/13. Saturday. 10:43am. Kakepuku. "Runbling Tummy"
17/8/13. Saturday. 2:38pm. Pirongia. "Summit Fever"
17/8/13. Saturday. 7:42pm. Karioi. "Karioi"
18/8/13. Sunday. 9:29am. Taupiri. "Taupiri Trek"
18/8/13. Sunday. 10:40am. Hakarimata. "Waikato Mountain Challenge"

Now I do believe this is the fastest collection of the "Waikato Mountain Caches". Anyone up to beating the record? I will supply an Awesome Penut Slab for the winner....

@Wingnut Rocks: I hope you grabbed a few more T4+ caches on the 17th to qualify you for http://coord.info/GC4567H ;D

This entry was edited by stretch.kerr on Monday, 19 August 2013 at 04:52:18 UTC.

Anyone watching this that may be coming up to this cache soon able to collect the travel bug and move it on. Owner would like it moving again. Been in this cache now for sometime. Thanks

Hi would love it if someone can help me out.
My TB has been stranded here for over 200days
I would love it moved on if its still there or notified if possible if its not
(My young daughter is beside herself)
Thank you GeoCommunity for any help
http://www.tb-rescue.com/resc_show.php5?tbcode=TB4X4QA

Thought I would check on this one now I am getting out more. 2 down so far. Looking forward to achieving this one!

TFTC: great walk to great spot. Not sure I'll complete the task as I'm only visiting! Did not sign either due to juggles up above!

I wasn't planning on climbing right to the top of the Hakarimatas, I was only going to do the caches on the first part. But once I got to the halfway sign, it seemed a shame not to climb to the top. I didn't realise this cache was here until I checked my GPS at the top. So it was a nice unexpected bonus! Great idea for a cache, I'm looking forward to climbing the rest! (as soon as my legs stop hurting!) TFTC!

#413 Found this while out and about with friends. Will need to find the other caches before claiming this cache. TFTC

This entry was edited by Frazar on Sunday, 24 March 2013 at 09:48:59 UTC.

I'm keen to complete this challenge over summer - but need a caching/tramping buddy. If anyone is keen to complete it with me, please contact me.

visited this cache to drop off the Don't Get Lost TB, picked up Hot Stuff while I was there

First one for the challenge. Great views after all of the effort although I'm sure the halfway sign is higher than halfway. Dropped off a TB for someone to take on its travels. TFTC

Was showing gailcurrie10 the awesome free workout Ngaruawahia has, and she was teaching me about geocaching. TFTC

This entry was edited by LornaMack on Saturday, 17 November 2012 at 06:29:55 UTC.

Wow! I hate steps and last time up here we bushbashed our way up to the top (not sure which way was the more challenging actually!). Now I will have to REVISIT all my old Waikato mountain haunts to claim title of "Found It". As a keen tramper I have visited all of the rqd mountain tops on several occasions before joining the world of geocaching:Pirongia, Karioi, Maungatautari, Pukeatua, Te Aroha, Taupiri, Kakepuka & even little Pukemokemoke (many times). O well watch this space folks.....

Today we are celebrating! We have now completed the Waikato Mountain Challenge by reaching the summit of Mt Te Aroha. This series has definitely been a challenge for us, and we have really enjoyed the excuse to get out and climb out local mountains. Thank you for your cache that takes us through so many different types of tracks with some fantastic views of the Waikato.
Very pleased to add our name to the list who have completed this cache.

17/03/2012 - completed Maungatautari last weekend and Pirongia today. Only one more to go to complete this challenge!

06/02/2012 - Taupiri Mountain completed today

28/01/2012 - We started working on this series in August 2011 to help train for the Tongariro Crossing. To date we have done Pukeatua, Kakepuke, and Karioi, plus a failed attempt at Pirongia. We have now done the Tongariro Crossing but still plan to complete this series. So to celebrate our 200th cache we decided to knock off this one. Those steps made the Tongariro Crossing look like a walk in the park! Glad to say that we survived the climb, signed the log and are now half way. Left B.O.S.Ns 1000 finds GC.

This entry was edited by Gnomes Hunters on Saturday, 17 March 2012 at 22:28:25 UTC.

This entry was edited by Gnomes Hunters on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 at 06:47:29 UTC.

Was a mission getting up maungatautari but well worth leaving this one till last. The bird life up here was amazing and the sound was peaceful.

This series was definitely challenging but so worth while. It gave me such great views and im glad i can cross it off my list.

Headed up Taupiri today to collect the 3rd to last cache in this series.... 2 to go

Well i finally made it up here to collect the actual cache. now all i have to do is get the last 3 (two up mangatautari, and the one up taupiri)

Pirongia collected on the 19/12/11
Te Aroha collected on the 30/10/09
Kakepuku collected on the 31/3/11
Karioi collected on the 3/12/11
Taupiri collected on the 13/01/12
Maungatautari collected on the 14/4/12
Pukeatua collected on the 14/4/12
This entry was edited by novalightning on Friday, 13 April 2012 at 06:10:06 UTC.

This entry was edited by novalightning on Saturday, 14 April 2012 at 04:22:50 UTC.

This entry was edited by novalightning on Monday, 16 April 2012 at 04:14:24 UTC.

An excellent walk up the mountain, took our time getting up there, took nearly 2 hours, but stopped along the way for many rest breaks and a few geocaches as well.

While we were taking a break at the top a guy turned up, he had just run up in 27 mins, training for the Sky City Stair challange, he wore a weighted vest to make it harder, he told us that some guys run up in 19mins!!!

One of our team counted the stairs on the way up, 1600, she so very thoughtfully mentioned it to the other muggles we met on the way down.

Overall an excellent walk!



1066 Geocaches found
Logged from my Samsung SII i9100

This entry was edited by McCutchan Cache Clan on Saturday, 07 April 2012 at 23:19:43 UTC.

7/4/12 Woop Woop!! Pirongia on a glorious sunny day means this smilie can be claimed!! Yahoo!! Not quite a mile-stone cache (#350) but feels like one to me!! Thanks SO much for the challenge & the kick-start into getting out to the hills.

31/3/12 Pukeatua Peak today, along with Te Aka, means Maunga multi is in the bag & 1 more towards the WMC. Think this was my fav so far. Although really, anything is my favourite cf Hakarimata steps!! Only Pirongia to go & then we can claim this smilie. And the kids want to know if the chocolate peanut slab is still on offer for finishers??!

11/3/12 update: Signed the log for Hakarimata summit today but can't claim the smiley yet, as we have 2 more peaks to go in the challenge. A late start, plus forecast for rain, so opted for the waterworks track, rather than the crossing. First 15 mins are stunning, thereafter just stunned ... wot, yet more steps??! Was grateful for the cooling rain, tho' sadly no view today. TFTC (that's cache, not climb!)

3/2/12 Thought we'd try geocaching this summer to get our kids out & active; had our 1st find 3 weeks ago & we are hooked! Did Kakepuku today with 12 yr old in the rain - brilliant - & found this challenge while looking for more summit caches. We have to complete all of them if I write this note, right?! (well, that's what I've just told my kids!)

Our final list for a great challenge:
Pirongia 7/4/12
Pukeatua 31/3/12
Hakarimata 11/3/12
Karioi 25/2/12
Te Aroha 18/2/12
Maungatautari 12/2/12
Taupiri 4/2/12
Kakepuku 3/2/12


This entry was edited by kiwis69 on Saturday, 07 April 2012 at 10:20:12 UTC.

We reckon it was about 1700 steps to get up here, but the view at the top is fantastic and a great reward after a long slog.

We really hope that the rest of the series don't have as many steps, but they hopefully do have views to match. I'm sure we'll get around to them eventually.

A favorite point from us.

TFTC

P.S. No "Kiwi Santa" in cache unfortunately...

Great walk

Did Mt Te Aroha today, harder than I thought it would be.

By the way, we asked DOC, 1349 steps up Hakarimata

Found this one, but it's the first of the group, so can't claim a smiley just yet!

Great walk today, from Brownlee Ave to Parker Road (12.1km ,according to my GPS track log). Bit uppy-downy and my knees are feeling the worse for wear now! This cache is at a lovely spot - and the new viewing tower is great.

TNLNSL
KatyAndScott, without the kids, but with Katy's parents, over here visiting from the UK
TFTC

Pirongia done, hard hike, muddy. Be sure to check DOC website if going to stay in hut up Pirongia as they are moving the hut later in Jan 2012

Finally completed the "Challenge" on Summit Fever, and you were right the track was going to be a tough ask with all the recent rain. I have very much enjoyed the setting of goals and getting there. Thanks for everything

5Nov2011 Made an effort this morning to knock this off (following Taupri Trek), Soon had it in hand once I had recovered from the climb up via Sqeekybobo's Waterworks (off Brownlea Ave). The first part of the journey leads you into a false sense of security. Ha more fool me.

Makes one think of The Proclaimers song, "I would walk 500 miles" but change that to the "I would climb 500 steps" and still not be half way. [xx(]
An old PTI used to yell at us asking if we, 'Feel the Burn', Yes I did.

Well that means that I have now completed 3 for the challenge. Hope to get this done over the summer. TFTC Thanks for the BURN

This entry was edited by Cats&Dragons on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 02:36:50 UTC.

Did Maungatautari again, found the cache, so is still there, torch helped.

Went up Maungatautari today, couldn't find cache, might try again next week.

Great hike (except for the stairs). Went up stairs and walked through to Rail Trail, very muddy. Left Kiwi Santa there. Have done 2 now, did Kakepuku 2 weeks ago.

Found this cache today. Also have previously found "Virtual Views". 5 to go.
Did this complete Hakarimata track with a muggle friend. Left a car at Brownlee road end and then drove my car to start the track from the Parker road end. Got about 3 hrs into the walk when it was announced that her car keys were left in my car. !?#@$%&. After going through the possible options it was decided to complete the track as planned and walk back to my car via the road. So the 10.1 km walk back by road was duly completed in a speedy 1 hr 21 min which worked out to be 7.48 km/h. Nice to add another challenge to the day.

Note to others. DOC is currently installing steps steps and more steps up this track. Track is still open but the the steps at this time are only half completed and partially in the middle of the track and extra care and time should be allowed for.

Finally!
I started this series in April 2008 and got the last 2 today.
Thoroughly enjoyed every cache on the way too.
I far prefer these to urban caches.
TFTC

Was looking for walk to do today with Wifey and youngest daughter, found this challenge and realized we had done all but this one and Taupiri in the last 3 months.
So certainly no encouragement needed, off to Taupiri and then to this one.
Found the cache and wasnt even looking for it so placed it a little further back, where it should have been I think.
Thanks for the challenge

Polished off the 2 Maungatautari caches leaving just Karioi to knock off before tackling the final!!!
Start saving for another peanut slab Zorgon!!

Hi Zorgon, please tick off Te Aroha and Taupiri in your little book for Geo-Goober and Me. Two down, Five to go

GOT EM! Summited Maungatautari (Maungatautari Challenge) today in the rain to finally climb the required 4200 vertical meters necessary to complete the mountain challenge. A lot of quite physically demanding adventures but finally got there! cheers - Jdoggshaw

thought i better try out the new boots and grab this one at the same time, i only have "maungatautari challenge" to go gotta beat jumboz lol so better get my act together!

Having completed Taupiri today..that makes 2 off the list
Kids determined now..onward and upward

Fantastic effort Muzzy Man! You join a small group of keen (mad?) individuals who have completed the challenge.
Email sent.