The day started cold and crisp with all 17 people arriving at Karamatura car park to get organized into two groups. After swapping keys and cars one of the groups set off along the valley track to Fletcher track, with some of the front runners walking and talking their way past the track junction. Fletcher track is a good climb to Mt Donald McLean for great views. We came across Laurie King who turned up doing geocaching with his son. We continued onto Whatipu via Puriri track where we had lunch in a sheltered spot before completing the leg on the Omanawanui Track. This track has to be one of the best scenic tracks so close to Auckland with great views of the rugged coastline and the Manaukau Harbour. The other group did this route in reverse, swapping car keys when the two groups crossed.

COST: Petrol from Bracken Ave $8.