Goodbye 2015 New Year's Eve-nt (Taranaki) Event Cache

This year, Groundspeak invite us to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016 with two new geocaching souvenirs. Hence this event on December 31 gives you the chance to earn the Goodbye 2015 souvenir. Then, earn the Hello 2016 souvenir by finding one of the nearby geocaches on January 1 2016. There may even be a FTF up for grabs.

This event is to give local cachers an opportunity to knock off some of the more 'extreme'? caches on the Pouakai Range by walking into Pouakai Hut from Mangorei Road.
For those who may be interested , there's the option to stay the night at the hut and walking out again the next day. For those more experienced and properly equipped tramper-cachers, there's the added option to walk out to North Egmont via Holly Hut after the event.

Event Place & Time

Pouakai Hut, Egmont National Park
10:30 to 11:00 am Thursday 31 December 2015

Meet at Mangorei Road end - 08:00 am to walk to the hut as a group
At 11:00 am (as a group?) we can head off Geocaching

Pouakai Hut is Taranaki's most popular DOC hut being only about 2 hours above the Mangorei Road trailhead, and an integral overnight stop on the Egmont National Park Pouakai Circuit.

This hut has always been a personal favourite of mine - a great place to introduce kids to tramping as it's so close to the Mangorei Road-end. There's some great views to be had from here, during the day, at sunset from the "Plateau" behind the hut; at night looking over Taranaki from the deck, and at sunrise.

Nearby Geocaches

• Pouakai Hut GC4YJD7 - (at the hut) a D2/T3.5 due to the 2 hour walk into the hut
• Shanks's Pony Rest GC5XM7X - a D1.5/T3 to be found en-route to the hut
• Pouakai Plateau GC4XVB7 - a D2.5/T3.5 above the hut
• Great Peak for Photographs GC5GKVM - a D1/T4.5 short (but tough-ish) walk from the hut (from where the background image was taken)
• It's a Lonely Planet View GC5NNPV - a D3/T4 half-hour's walk from the hut
• Maude Peak Extreme GC5KWZQ - a D1/T5 longer walk with a tough climb to the cache
• Stairway to Henry GC1J7GQ - a D1.5/T4 further walk/climb along the Pouakai range
• Pouakai Trig GC4YJDH - a D3/T4.5 walk to the eastern end of the Pouakai - back past the hut

For those contemplating staying the night, this is a Serviced hut - there are mattresses and accommodation for 16 in two bunk rooms, a potable water supply, toilets, hand washing facilities and heating with fuel available. At this time of year there is a warden staying on-site to offer advice and ensure everyone pays their hut fees.
Fees per night: Adult - $15 per night, Youth (11 - 17) - $7.50 per night, Child - free
Fees to camp outside and use the hut facilities: Adult - $5 per night, Youth - $2.50 per night, Children - free
Note Bookings can not be made - accommodation is on a "first come, first served" basis.

From Pouakai Hut it's a couple of hour's walk across the Ahukawakawa swamp to Holly Hut (another night's accommodation) and a further 6 - 7 hours out to North Egmont

• Holly Hut GC51ACZ (a Letterbox hybrid at the hut) - D3.5/T4 due to the hut's remoteness
• Boomerang Slip GC51AG7 - a D1.5/T3 to be found en-route to North Egmont
• Mt Taranaki Razor Back GC52V68 - a D3/T4.5 en-route (easier D/T from this direction)
• Tahurangi Lodge GC51TYX - a D3/T3.5 en-route and above North Egmont
• The Camphouse Cache GCCD76 - an old (2003) D1.5/T1.5 cache at North Egmont
• Goblin forest GC6519V - a D2/T2.5 at North Egmont
• Egmont GC1JY3W - an old EarthCache at North Egmont

This whole trip is above the bush-line and exposed to the elements, be it hot sun, wind, rain or worse, so it is essential to have adequate gear for both your safety and enjoyment. PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE AREA when the weather has changed suddenly and they have been caught out inadequately prepared!

Essential gear to ensure your safety and enjoyment:

• waterproof raincoat
• warm woollen or fibre pile clothing
• spare dry socks
• sturdy COMFORTABLE walking shoes or tramping boots
• food and drink, enough for the lunch and snacks (plus extra for emergencies)
• small first aid kit (for blisters, sprains, minor cuts & medication)
• sunscreen and sunglasses
• sunhat plus a warm hat
• GPSr or map and compass (and know how to use them!) There is mobile coverage here.

Please indicate in your 'Will Attend' log if you'd like to consider staying the night, and I will contact you with details to help make that happen

It is the CO's intention to have at least one new cache come available for a FTF on New Years Day in the vicinity!