The Aorangi Undulator is a 33k run in the Aorangi Range in Wairarapa. Comprising of five valleys and four undulations The Aorangi Undulator Nov 2014 will be the first official race. Winners expected around 6 hour mark some will take up to 10 hours.
The Aorangi 100 is a 100km 3 day stage race starting in Eastbourne and finishing at Waikuku Lodge in the Aorangi forest park.
Sat Nov 7, 2015
General notes:
The whole course is a marked DOC route, covered the whole way by triangular orange DOC markers and backed up in the less obvious places (such as tree falls / junctions) by orange tape markings.IF YOU ARE IN THE BUSH AND HAVE NOT SEEN AN ORANGE MARKER IN A WHILE YOU ARE OFF THE TRACK. Retrace steps to last known point, DON’T JUST BLUNDER ONWARDS.Orange markers are less frequent in the river valleys. See more specific notes below, but significant aspects of the route simply follow the river’s route - so do the same BUT LOOK REGULARLY for orange markers signifying deviations from the river / creek. Oh, and there’s lots of nettles, gorse, rocks and roots, which are not suitable for the weak.Start at Mangatoetoe river end to Kawakawa HutFollow river upstream. After 4km (30 mins ish) the river splits around an island before rejoining further upstream. Take the left (true right) side. Another 1km (10mins ish) there’s a river junction on the right (true left). Take left river (true right) and aim for the large orange DOC triangle (see photo). Travel now up river, dipping in out, it is gorge like. Follow regular DOC orange marks where possible. Exit fork from river well marked by cut cabbage tree stump in river.
START UNDULATION #1 – approx. 130m vertical climb. Steep climb, sidle over saddle, then very steep descent, TAKE CARE. Descent ends by waterfall and pool – follow river down stream, rocky boulder hopping for 4km. Now at that 4km point make sure you scanning the right of river as there will be abig DOC triangle marking where you leave the river bed. You must spot this or you will miss the turn off and head down the river. The triangle leads you into acopse of trees and a track that leads to Kawakawa Hut.
KAWAKAWA HUT on true right of river, and marshalled. A 4WD track crosses river at hut. You MUST GET CHECKED BY MARSHAL (Sherman Smith) at the hut.Kawakawa hut to Pararaki HutHead upstream crossing creek regularly for 10 to 15 mins. Turn left at ‘Pararaki Hut’ wooden sign.
START OF UNDULATION #2 – approx. 310m vertical climb). Steep climb up narrow ridge – careful, don’t fall off. Long cambered sidle to saddle. When you hit the BIG fallen log look hard left for the track not straight ahead. After saddle then descent to Pararaki river. Turn right upstream at river, hut 100m upstream on left (true right). YOU MUST GET CHECKED BY MARSHAL (Laurence Pidcock) at the hut.Pararaki hut to Washpool hut
START UNDULATION #3 – approx. 550m vertical climb. Windfall at base of track not far from hut, follow orange taps and markers. Solid climb, obvious track. Then very steep descent ending in a final 30 or so metres of loose scree, very easy to gather unwanted / wanted momentum. Turn left at Washpool stream and follow blazes downstream for 100m, look for sign to hut on true right bank and head up steps to hut. YOU MUST GET CHECKED BY MARSHAL (Chris Swallow) at the hut.Washpool hut to FinishFollow well signed Kopi track, up, up and up.
START OF UNDULATION #4 – approx. 550m vertical climb. Steep climb, summit and obvious left towards NW ridge. Ridge undulates for 3km through bush. When you get to old fence and 4x4 track it is pretty much the climbing over. Descend through ‘Gorse Alley’ – like taking off a plaster this is best done quickly, showing weakness will be booed. Take signed (and marshalled) left turn to Pinnacles – YOU MUST CHECK IN WITH MARSHAL (Thom Charles). Turn left to lookout track NOT ‘Circular Walk’ and descend obvious stepped route to river valley. Turn right at river valley and follow river downstream towards aromas of sausages sizzling and rest awaiting. Look out for BLUE WARATAHS WITH ORANGE TRIANGLES. There are 2 and will put you on the track to the finish. If you miss them it’s not a major you’ll just be running on rougher terrain and it will take longer.You’re done.
Go party. You are not weak.