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2024-11-20T00:00:00.000Z • Gisborne District, Gisborne, New Zealand / Aotearoa

Cape to Cape 2024

On the 20th of November, we set off to cover the width of New Zealand from East Cape to Cape Egmont. Covering more than 800km by foot, bike, and kayak to raise money for child cancer.

Cape to Cape 2024
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To dot-watch you can follow the trip here or consider making a donation to the cause here.
Bike
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Day One - East Cape Lighthouse to Te Kopua

The journey kicked off around 9am at the East Cape Lighthouse with the boys being welcomed by 50km headwinds that lasted most of the day.
That first day energy and passing through a stunning part of the country with small towns such as Te Araroa, Hicks Bay, and Waihau Bay kept things moving as they made it through to Te Kopua in good time.
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Day two is another 130km on the bike takes them down the coast to Opotiki before they head inland along the Matahi Valley.
Source: Hicks Bay Motel

Bike
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Day Two - Te Kopua to Matahi Valley

Day two ramped things up a gear with the wind turning it up and some rain added in the mix. he team cycling 138km from Te Kopua, down the cost to Opotiki before turning inland and riding up the Matahi Valley to Camp for the night.
Day three might be welcome change as the bikes are swapped for hiking as the team heads into the hills for 35km and 2,200+ and will end the day in Moungapohatu.
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Hike
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Day 3 - Matahi Valley to Taupeupe Saddle

With the team out of the reception we can only infer what went down today but 50km on foot, whats looks like more than 15 hours and some detours off the planned route likely means it was tough going out there.
The day started in Matahi Valley before continuing up the valley on foot via the Six Foot Track, the river bed looks like it might have provided an easier path before Te Panaa Hut welcomed the boys. They continued along the track to Moungapohatu before continuing to Taupeupe Saddle.
Day four is estimated to be 8 hours which might may be considered a 'rest day' after a tough start.
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Bike
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Day 4 - Taupeupe Saddle to River Road End

After a huge day finishing at 3am, day four was more straightforward with 60km on the bike and a net downhill.
Cycling through a very remote park of New Zealand, the crew passed through Ruatahuna, Tataramoa, Papuera, Ngaputahi, and Minginui before setting up camp.
Tomorrow takes the team back into the bush on foot with 23km to cover along the Whirinaki track.
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Hike

Day 5 - River Road to Lower Whirinaki

Day five looked to be another fairly straightforward day with the team making it through the Lower Whirinaki track in good time to set up camp for the night on the edge of Kaingaroa Forest.
Day six sees them back on the bikes for almost 70km where they'll no doubt be looking forward to the comforts of Sika Lodge.
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Bike
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Day 6 - Lower Whirinaki to Sika Lodge

Spirits are high after a fairly straightforward day on the bike was followed by warm hospitality at Sika Lodge where the crew were treated to a full spread and beds for the evening (the little things).
Day seven has the boys riding to the end of Clements Road before heading into the Kaimanawa forest to find camp for the night at Cascade Hut.
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Hike
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Day 7 - Sika Lodge to Cascade Hut

Leaving the comforts of Sika Lodge, the boys rode 20km to the end of Clements Road before another 10km on foot through to Cascade Hut.
Day eight sees the Kaimanawa forest traded for the mountains, after covering a fair amount of elevation a night at Waipakihi Hut will great them.
Hike
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Day 8 - Cascade Hut to Waipakihi Hut

The day started with an honest climb to the Ngapuketerua tops where the reward wasa beautiful ridgeline with some stunning views of lake Taupo and beyond.
The day rounded up with some travel across the tops and a fair bit of bush bashing to make it through to Waipakihi Hut.
Hike
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Day 9 - Waipakihi Hut to Ketetahi Carpark

Leaving the hut, the route took them up to Umukarikari and across the ridge. Back on the bikes, and through to Ketetahi Carpark the team will be taking a well earned rest day before they take on the Tongariro crossing with friends and supporters for day 11.
Hike
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Day 10 - Ketetahi Carpark to National Park Village

Day 10 was special with friends and family joining the team to show their support. The Tongariro crossing was on the cards and while popular, it packs a fair amount of climbing in. Starting on the Northern side, the group made their way through the Okahukura Forest, before climbing up to the Famous Alpine Lakes. After descents and farewells, it was back on the bikes for 20km to National Park Village.
It's more riding for day 11 as the boys make their way to Whakahoro where they'll spend two days making their way down the Whanganui River.
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Bike
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Day 11 - National Park Village to Whakahoro

Leaving behind the supporters, it was on the bikes towards the Whanganui River. for the paddling leg of the trip. The day looked dreamy on paper, 50km on the bike, net downhill, and some glorious gravel.


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Day 12- Whakahoro to River Campsite

The going must've been good on the water, it looks like the team made good progress and overshot the planned campsite for another further down the river. That should allow them to shorten day 13 in preparation for a big push to Omaru Hut the following day.
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Day 13 - River Campsite to Ramanui

Another 20km of paddling brought the river journey to an end at Ramanui.
A shorter day should have them well prepared for a push through to Omaru Hut where at the time of writing they were getting close at 8pm.
Hike
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Day 14 - Ramanui to Omaru Hut

A fairly big day in a very remote part of the country. Despite the remoteness, the team crossed paths with a few folks and a helicopter at Omaru Hut
Day 15 sees them move towards Mt Taranaki for the final push.
Bike
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Day 15 - Omaru Hut to Stratford

After hiking out from Omaru, the bikes were pointed at Mt Taranaki. The day started easy before the ramp of the mountain forced some climbing.
Day 16 sees the team head over the mountain with 1,800m+ to climb and then the final day where they'll touch the ocean on the west coast and complete the crossing.
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Day 16 - Stratford to Kaponga via the summit

The high point of the trip on the penultimate day. The team summited Mt Taranaki (2518) before retracing their steps and picking up the bikes for a short ride through to the final stop.
Day 17 will be back on the bikes and the end of the journey when they reach the west coast.
Bike
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Day 17 - Kaponga to Cape Egmont

It's done! More than 800km and +15,000m from the East Cape to Cape Egmont on the west coast, by bike, on foot and by boat to raise money for Child Cancer!