Auckland Peaks

[vinodrinker]

One idea would to include Mt Eden.  It is only 196m asl but commands fantastic views, good steep climb, bang in the middle of Auckland, well known etc and probably the equivalent of the dusting of Wellington fringe peaks you have included. Tallest volcanic peak on the auckland mainland and an easy bag for anyone visiting auckland as it is very accessible

[Jon (aka site admin)]

Yes, I had wondered about those central Auckland volcanoes.  One Tree Hill is another one I had considered....

But from memory it is possible to drive to the top of both of them??    Although quite a few other peaks we've listed have roads up them, they tend to be 4WD or private roads...
   
I think listing peaks people can easily drive up might be a step too far in the 'accessibility' direction perhaps?     It's a similar reason to why Mt Victoria in Wellington isn't on the list, as it's a tourist hot spot you can drive to.

But I'm open minded about it - so what do people think?    I have no objection to having easy 'peaks' on the list, as it's designed to be everyone - where to draw the line is the question...

One idea I had was to create some kind of longer day walk that incorporates a string of the Auckland volcanoes, and perhaps ending at the best/highest.

It's a similar scenario to the Port Hills in Christchurch, which has a road passing near many of the summits, which are of a similar height (to each other).  We haven't decided exactly how to list that yet, but again, listing one longer walk crossing all of the tops is an option.


Interested to hear more thoughts though...
Cheers, Jon

[vinodrinker]

yeah good point.  you should have to hike a reasonable distance to bag them i reckon

[lloydy]

....One idea I had was to create some kind of longer day walk that incorporates a string of the Auckland volcanoes, and perhaps ending at the best/highest.....

I saw an article a while back on the 7 summits, taking in 7 of the more central Auckland volcanos including Mt Eden and One Tree Hill.  I did a couple of months ago, there's a bit of tarmac trudging between some of 'em but it's an enjoyable walk, and for someone new to the area it gave a better idea of the geography of the area, and also the variety of NZ housing too!

[Jon (aka site admin)]

yes, I think I read that article too (that's where I pinched the idea from).  Was it in the Herald?   

I think it's probably worth writing up a some stage - at least as an additional option.  Not your typical mountain walk, but when it comes to this list it doesn't really matter.  I'm all for giving our urban walks a bit more exposure - they often tend to get forgotten, but the reality is that for many NZers they are by far the most accessible.

We're also currently (very very gradually) completing a walk of the entire Wellington harbour coastline and then all the way to Red Rocks.   The bit from Petone to Ngauranga ain't so attractive however....

[barnaclebarnes]

I actually think it would be good to have a special group of peaks which is ALL of the Auckland's volcano's. Auckland is fairly unique in this respect and it is something that most people could achieve. There is a list of peaks on Wikipedia here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_volcanic_field.

I know at Mt Smart all you would have to do is walk onto the middle of the pitch but that in itself could be kind of fun. Hunting out all of the volcano's would be somewhat of an adventure in Auckland and would be something that families could achieve as a group.

Glen

[ledge]

Yeah, if I remember my 7th Form Geography topic well, there's about 40 volcanic cones in Aucklnad.
Some have been sawn in two like Pigeon Mtn, some reduced to rubble.

My mate & made it our business to 'knock off' most of them one year.
I reckon the full list should be a special category on this site too.

[Inspector Clouseau]

Oops - I'm probably flogging a long dead horse ... but ... my family have really bought into the whole peak bagging concept ... simply through the process of "knocking off" the Auckland Volcanic Field peaks (I think we only have six or seven left to do).

They are too minor to register for serious listing but they are worthwhile acheivements for novice 3 & 4 year old future peak baggers. Maybe you could have series entries such as "Auckland Volcanic Cones" & "Ruapehu Pinacles" - then someone can tick them off when they have completed the set?

Just a thought

[Jon (aka site admin)]

Come and join this thread in the Committee Room, and we can decide whether to add an Auckland Volcanoes circuit to the list...?

See http://www.peakbagging.co.nz/forums/index.php/topic,559.0.html