PRE-CHRISTMAS 5 DAY HIKE (MATEMATEAONGA RANGE)

**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 6h drive to Upper Mangaehu Road. 5pm 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 6h to Auckland. **PAYING FOR THE HUTS** **Two options for paying:** Option 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. Option 2: Buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for $160 (allows 12 months of unlimited use at backcountry huts), **Hut Info:** No electricity. No rubbish bins. Non-flush toilets. Far from carpark. Assume no reception. Water from rain water tank. 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 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 $90 to driver. 2 passengers $78 each. 3 passengers $65 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 $5 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+