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17,664 Stairs (Huks)

  • 1,232,986 Stairs

      1 January 2024

    Yup, you read right. Nearly one and a quarter million stairs were completed in 24 hours at the Hakarimata summit track, on the 25th/26th of November 2023. By 290 people. I would like to thank everyone who donated so generously to this cause. Also, I would like to thank everyone who wrote their name down on the day.

    The person who accomplished the highest single target was Greg Dixon with a total of 56,948 followed by yours truly with 55,036. We both did 20 summits however Greg went to the lookout and a few times to the car park hence the extra stairs to his tally.

    Top 10

    Total stair count

    Greg Dixon 56,948.00

    Mike Ridderhof 55,036.00

    Lachlan Bullen 37,788.00

    Andrew Sunner 25,442.00

    Jessica Cole 20,561.00

    Parakura Nepia 19,656.00

    Tracey de Silva 14,604.00

    Sam Rennie 14,547.00

    Zander Pringle 14,052.00

    Peter McLachlan 11,706.00

    Thanks again to all!

    The winner of the Shokz headphones will be announced on our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/17664StairsforMelanoma

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  • Big day tomorrow.

      24 November 2023

    Hi All,

    Tomorrow is the big day! Everyone is welcome to join. You can start at any time and finish at any time on the 25th of November between 8 am and 8 am on the 26th. You can do 1 or 30 every stair will add to the total. Let's set a Huks world record! Anyone willing to hold the fort at the waterfall for a bit would be welcome, especially for the night shift.

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  • 24 hour Update

      17 October 2023

    Hi all,

    Yes, I have been absent from the site for a while now. A few weeks ago, I had a heart problem and was in hospital for a week, I also have some ongoing hip and knee injuries. The 24-hour challenge however is still on albeit with some changes. Instead of it being only my challenge, we would like it to be everyone’s challenge.

    On the 25th of November at 8 am we will start from the waterfall. We want as many people as possible to partake. Whether you do 100 stairs or 10 summits every stair climbed will be counted. Please join us. We will have a support team at the start that will record your name and how many stairs you achieved. We would also welcome anyone who would like to join the support team. Please contact me if you would like to volunteer or have any questions my number is 021 1250551.

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  • 15th July- 10 hour Huks summit

      16 July 2023
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    All the wonderful Hands-shakes, high fives, and smiles.

    Hi All,

    Well, the 15th of July has come and gone. I managed 13 summits in 9 ½ hours.

    The target was always going to be 17,664. unbelievably and totally unplanned, coincidence I happened to do 17,667 stairs up and 17,667 down. Totalling 35,552 stairs.

    Thank you all for your support and a special thanks to my mate Clifford Brown! What a great guy! He spent the entire day from 8 am to 7 pm seconding, supporting, and encouraging me. Thanks, Cliff for being the person you are. What a great successful day. Before you think this is a good achievement, let me tell you about 2 special kids that joined me for the day.

    Lachlan McGregor aged 15 that did a total of 9 summits totalling 12,231 stairs up and 12,231 down. Grand total stairs 24,680 + some more to the start and lookout.

    Then Joshua Du Preez (Gavin’s Son) aged 9 that did a total of 6 summits totalling 8,154 stairs up and 8,154 down. Total stairs 16,526 + some more to the start and lookout. Well done guys what an awesome commitment!

    I would also like to thank all those that came out on the day to support and participate, Tracey-Lee, Greg, Don, Leam, Hayley Rachel, Stan, Janice, Lance, Ryan, Caleb, Tyler, Penny, David and some names I forgot and some I can’t remember, all the high fives handshakes smiles and well-wishers. The Hakarimata community are a special family of people. Now the training starts for the big 24-hour on the 23rd of November 2023

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  • 1st July seven summits achieved

      12 July 2023
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    How many on Saterday the 15th July?

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  • Ten hour training on Saturday 15 July

      12 July 2023
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    Hi all,

    On Saturday the 15th of July I will be attempting a 10-hour Huks summit repeat, in preparation for the 23 of November 24-hour challenge. I hit my original goal of 7 summits on 1st July. What’s next? Yesterday Ngature and I numbered the stairs in 100 increments. We have counted only all the man-made stairs. The first bit to the start (1 km) has 109 stairs up. Then, 1,359 to the top and a further 28 to the lookout. Totalling 1,496 stairs from Brownlee Ave to the summit lookout.

    Check out Next week’s post for the competition announcement with a cool prize!

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  • 6x today

      24 June 2023
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    Well, I set out to do 5 this morning and ended up doing 6. This week's training:

    Monday x2 Tuesday x2 Wednesday x0 ( my daughter Tracey Lee's birthday.) Thursday x0 (Lazy) Friday 0 (rest before big one Saturday) Saturday x6 Total 10 this week. The high fives and support on the track is very encouraging. Thanks, everyone!

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    • 26/06/2023 by penny

      You are a machine, well done uncle Mike!

  • Saturday 17 June

      17 June 2023
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    Today my son Ryan turns 40. And today I have done 4 summits. Today's total, 5400 steps up and 5400 down. total time 2h52min

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  • Sunset on the Huks

      13 June 2023
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    2 yesterday,1.5 today

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  • 3x today

      9 June 2023
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    I ran away from work early and did three summits today, the First time in years that I have done three. The people on the Huks are really encouraging, met a lovely family today mum, dad, big sister with little brother. Also being greeted by name now, not sure if I know them or if they recognize me from the poster campaign. Whatever, it’s certainly inspirational.

    View from the top on a clear afternoon.

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  • 1.5 yesterday

      8 June 2023
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    So I did 1.5 yesterday and will be doing one today. Hopefully 3 on Friday. I got done a bit earlier and took this photo... breaking all the rules of photography.

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  • Back after a week off

      7 June 2023
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    I have been off for a week with a chest cold. (no not laziness) On Sunday I did my normal 40k cycle. Monday... a bit of laziness and pretend cough. Felt guilty yesterday so did a double on the Hucks. How cool is this sunset?

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  • Recovery week

      31 May 2023

    I'm down with the flu this week so no training for me. My body clearly decided I needed a week off. I'm back at it as soon as I feel better. Watch this space.

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  • $800+

      28 May 2023

    Went for an easy 40k road cycle today. next week will be Huk's and some more Huk's

    Great to see the donations coming in at $807.00. So far. The Hamilton council has let us put posters up at the Hakarimata car park toilets for free. So hopefully that will also bring in some donations. Thanks again to you all!

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  • Poster

      26 May 2023
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    The council has been kind enough to let us use the toilet advertising frame for free.

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  • Glowworms

      26 May 2023
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    Really cool to see these little guys. You don't need to climb the stairs to see them they all along the track. Its worth the drive out to show the kids from 5:30 pm onward.

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  • Double

      26 May 2023
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    Training for the big day, Ngature joined me. His first time on the Huks, and we did a double.

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  • Huks Training

      23 May 2023
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    My training is going Well. I did 2 summits on Thursday and 1.5 on Monday. The Glowworms were doing their thing by the time I came down. The photo is not great but you can sort of see the little fellows glowing away.

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    • 23/05/2023 by penny

      So proud of you uncle Mike! You are awesome!

  • 1.5 x Hakarimata stairs

      13 May 2023

    To the summit, halfway down to the summit again. so + 2000 stairs up and 2000 stairs down.

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