Friday, 3 February 2012

Status Update 2


Status Update:


Before I head off on a 10 week adventure out of Auckland, and away from the Waitakeres, a quick status update is in order. I was hoping to reach 50 % completion before I left, but not quite.

Over the past 4 months I have run/walked 47 % of the Waitakere Track distance on 20 individual adventures into the ranges. Being a little selective with the loop I choose to run, I find I am now left with long loops, that are far away from my home location hence a great deal more effort and motivation is required to get myself out the door.

Combined with the fact I am now training for the T42 off-road marathon in May, I continually find that type and length of tracks doesnt quite match what is required in my training programme, so I tend to be running more in Riverhead forest and Okura Bush Walkway.

Also, the more I run in the Waitakeres, the more I realise that the majority of the tracks arent actually that runnable. Despite undertaking this in 2011/2012 summer period, I continually find the tracks are boggy and flooded, and the technical nature and rooty terrain is more conducive to walking and/or doing an ankle. Nevertheless, the objective of this exercise was to identify which of the tracks are actually runnable, and in the end, I hope that I will elucidate that.

Now, the stats:

Number of loops completed: 20 loops / 41 loops
Percentage of map distance completed: 47 %
Map distance of loops completed: 188 km / 399 km

Actual distance run (by GPS): 175 km

Longest Run - 2 Te Henga Walkway: 19 km
Shortest Run - 21 Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track: 2.1 km
Average Run: 9.2 km

Top Track: Long Road Track
Top 10 Tracks: see here

Total Travel: 1047 km

Quantity of data generated: TBC mb
Number of photos captured: TBC photos


Conquering the Waitakere Trails - 47 % complete (click to enlarge)

And so, until I return in April! Get off the couch!



18 - Omanawanui, Signal House, Destruction Gully and Kura Tracks (Whatipu)

View down Destruction Gully

Omanawanui Track
Omanawanui Track

View of Omanawanui Track
 
                                                                                                                        
Loop:18 - Omanawanui, Signal House, Destruction Gully and Kura Tracks
Region:Whatipu
Access Point:Whatipu Road
Coordinates:-37.02275 174.53527
Track #
Track NameDistance (km)
82
Destruction Gully
1.4
82
return Destruction
Gully
1.4
-
Whatipu Rd
0.7
111
Kura Track
3.0
-
Whatipu Rd
0.4
67
Signal House Track
0.4
67
return Signal House Track
0.4
66
Omanawanui Track
3.0
-
Return Whatipu Rd
0.7
Map Distance
Measured Distance
11.4
11.7
                                                                                                                        
Completed: Solo on 02 FEB 2012

66. Omanawanui Track
keywords:
Non-runnable (mostly), technical, rocks, roots, knee and waist high vegetation, dirt/grass/rock surface, single-track, well-marked, steep slope, exposed with some covered sections, view (360 degree views of the west coastline).
comments:
As far as views are concerned, this track is the highlight of the Waitakere Ranges. However as a running track it is not ideal. The terrain is very steep and technical with some areas overwhelmed with prickly vegetation. It is a good tramping track and ideal for building hill strength, but dont expect to be able to run the majority of the length.

67. Signal House Track
keywords:
Runnable, non-technical, grass, wide-track, well-marked, easy slope, exposed, view (360 degree views of the west coastline).
comments:
A short diversion to the tip of the headland for stunning views.
82. Destruction Gully
keywords:
Runnable, technical, dirt surface, slippery, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, bush-covered, view (Awhitu Peninsula and Manukau Heads).
comments:
Short, sharp and slippery 200 m descent/ascent from Whatipu Rd to sea level providing access to fishing rocks at Makaka Bay. Bit too steep and slippery to run up.
                                                                                                                        
Top Section

111. Kura Track
keywords:
Runnable, technical, roots, river crossing, dirt surface, mud, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, medium to steep slope, bush-covered, view (Whatipu River).
comments:
From Whatipu Rd there is a short section of Puriri Ridge Track then its a rapid descent along a very technical Kura Track to cross then meander alongside Whatipu River. Top section because its a long and mostly runnable track of a good length.
                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)



Destruction Gully Track

Destruction Gully Track
Kura Track
Kura Track
Signal House Track (in distance)

Omanawanui Track
Omanawanui Track
View of Paratutae Island and Ninepin Rock from Omanawanui Track
View of Awhitu Peninsula from Omanawanui Track