Three university students with a shared love of nature and exploring completed an "epic" challenge earlier this week by visiting all 51 of Auckland's mainland volcanoes in just over 16 hours.
Nicholas Carlyle, Henry Nicholson and Jacob Warren began their 248km journey across the city at 7am at the summit of Mount Victoria and wrapped it up at the summit of Mount Eden at 11.15pm — an average of one volcano visited every 19 minutes.
Carlyle said the trio like to take on "big challenges" and that last summer the group trekked the length of the East Coast Bays from Long Bay to Devonport in six hours.
This week's challenge was also intended as a "final adventure" for the group as one member heads overseas in the upcoming months.
"This volcano challenge was the next big thing to tackle before Jacob heads off to the States on a tennis scholarship," Nicholson said.
The Auckland Volcanic Field consists of 53 volcanoes across the city, from Lake Pupuke in the north to Matukururu/Wiri Mountain in the south, and from Ōwairaka/Mount Albert in the west to Ōhuiarangi/Pigeon Mountain in the east.
The idea for Wednesday's trip had been "in the works for quite some time", said Nicholson.
"We wondered if it was even possible."
Rangitoto Island and Motukorea/Browns Island were quickly ruled out of the challenge due to time constraints, he said.
"We thought the iconic Mount Eden would be a good place to finish, and working backwards it made sense to start on the North Shore with just six volcanoes to tick off."
Warren and Carlyle's experience in adventure racing, a sport which involves orienteering and route planning, came in handy when figuring out the optimal path between each location.
"South Auckland had quite a few volcanic clusters, making it easy to tick off a few in a short time," said Warren.
"We decided to leave the central Auckland volcanoes to last as they would take longer to climb and we'd have a better idea at the end of our challenge of our pace and whether we needed to run some of the mountains."
For evidence they had visited all 51 locations, photos were taken at what the group determined to be the most "iconic" point of each volcano.
Some of the volcanoes have been quarried away and are now occupied by commercial or industrial buildings.
Warren said they made sure to hop out of the car and take a photo with the buildings in the background.
"It was very sad to see such history erased by Auckland's growing population and need for development."
Nicholson said his favourite volcano was Takarunga/Mount Victoria in Devonport, adding that he "might be biased" due to being from the area.
"You get the view across the harbour to the CBD, as well as the islands of the Hauraki Gulf."
Warren said the most underrated volcano in the city is Matukutūreia/McLaughlins Mountain in South Auckland.
"It's very steep, but a fun climb and we spent sunset atop this one."
Ōrākei Basin was Carlyle's least favourite volcano.
"I fell in the water and got my track pants wet for the rest of the day."
Completing the challenge was "very rewarding", Nicholson said.
"It was a journey with everything, lots of amazing views, laughs, and music, but it was also a big push."
Carlyle said he was "kinda surprised" that the group were able to visit all 51 volcanoes in 16 hours.
"To be honest, I didn't think we would be able to finish within a day."
Warren hopes their challenge inspires other Aucklanders to get out and explore the "unique" features of the city.
"It's a great way to get some exercise, learn a few new things you didn't know before, and feel a sense of accomplishment."
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