About us
WELCOME EVERYONE
We hike in summer and on snow in winter.
Upcoming events
5
MT TARANAKI - SNOW HIKE
Mt Egmont Visitor Centre, 2679 Egmont Road, Taranaki, NZEvent is not full. Join the waitlist, and organiser will chat with you.
WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a snowy walk up Mt Taranaki. Fit and regular hikers only.TRACK INFO
Walking up Mt Taranaki is challenging for many.
The slope is sometimes 30 degrees from horizontal.
There is no water on the track.
There is one toilet half way up.
Terrain may be snowy all the way, or a combination of rock and snow.SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER
8:00am I will attend the Western Springs Parkrun :D
10:00am Begin 5 hours drive to Mt Egmont Visitor Centre, 2679 Egmont Road.
3:00pm Arrive at Mt Egmont Visitor Centre.
3:30pm Begin 90 minute walk to Maketawa Hut.
Get everything ready today.
Make tomorrow morning very easy.
Sleep @ Maketawa Hut.SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER
4:50am Be outside Maketawa Hut, helmets and headlights on, laces done up, ready to go.
Carry all your things, we will not return to this hut.
6:49am Sunrise.
Leave unnecessary things at a collection point.
11:00am Reach our highest point, enjoy lunch.
11:30am Begin walk down the mountain.
Collect our items from collection point.
Reach carpark before sunset.
The whole walk may take 8-12 hours, group fitness dependent.
7:34pm Sunset.
Drive 5h to Auckland.MAKETAWA HUT
$25/night
See information and book here:
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/te-papa-kura-o-taranaki/things-to-do/huts/maketawa-hutHut Facilities:
No electricity.
Non-flush toilet.
No rubbish bins.
Far from carpark.
Has 16 mattresses.
Water from rain water tank.
Has mobile phone reception.HUT ETIQUETTE
Respect sleepers.
Tidy up before you leave.
Take your rubbish with you.GEAR - SNOW HIKING
Helmet (mountaineering helmet, ski helmet, or bike helmet).
Winter mountaineering boots (must be crampon compatible).
Crampons (no microspikes) (well-known long-established brands only).
Ice axe (well-known long-established brands only).
Umbilical leash for ice axe (e.g. Black Diamond Slinger leash) or I will provide one.
Sunglasses (with side protection, dark lens category 4 or greater is best).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Backpack must have a hip belt (or bring a harness).
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Gaiters (knee height).
Buff.
Emergency shelter.
Optional: Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).
No helmet? No hike - helmet is worn all day, from the carpark.
No winter gloves? No hike.
No sunglasses? No hike.
No crampons or ice axe from Ali Express or Temu. Well-known and long-established brands only (e.g. Grivel, Petzl, Black Diamond).Bringing an emergency folding foam mat, and emergency sleeping bag (plastic or foil) is really smart.
GEAR - GENERAL HIKING
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper).
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Puffy synthetic-filled jacket (not down-filled).
Sunscreen, lip balm, applied often.
Food & water for the day.
Rain jacket.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.
Headlight.GEAR HIRE
Organise gear hire early.
Contact Living Simply in Newmarket for winter boots ($50), crampons ($50) & ice axe ($25) per weekend hire.
livingsimply.co.nz/page/hire.aspx
Contact Bivouac stores for crampons & ice axe ($10) per day hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire
Contact me for a helmet ($10).CARPOOLING
You're welcome to use the comments section to offer a lift or ask for a lift.
Your arrangements are set - passengers if you change driver you must pay the original driver you arranged a seat with (unless the seat is filled).
If 1 passenger, suggest give $90* to driver.
2 passengers $75* each.
3 passengers $60* each.
*Cost likely to change due to fuel price volatility.BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace*
No music on loudspeakers.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
Stay behind leader.
No smoking.
No littering.
No guests.
*If someone is too slow for the group, others can get too cold waiting and slow people can feel too pressured to go faster, so if safe the group can separate into faster and slower groups.TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist" then "Continue with free plan", There is no need to pay for Meetup+.
Organiser will contact you, then send $10 to organiser for helping with meetup costs, snowcraft costs, future PLB battery replacement, group safety gear, etc.NEW MEMBERS
New members will be checked that they're in New Zealand.3 attendees
SNOW SKILLS - PRACITING SNOW HIKING AND SELF ARREST
YHA National Park, Waimarino, NZEvent is not full. Join the waitlist, and organiser will chat with you.
WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a fun day of learning about hiking on snow, using crampons and ice axe. The main goal is to become competent at self arrest (stopping a slide). This event is important for people who want to walk on steeper slopes like Mt Taranaki, Mt Ngauruhoe, and the south side of Mt Ruapehu.
We'll be walking uphill with an elevation gain of about 700 metres, so attendees should be regular hikers.SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER
Drive 5h to YHA National Park.
Sleep at YHA National Park.SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER
5:15am Start loading cars.
5:30am Start driving.
Drive 30min to the top of Bruce Road.
6:31am Sunrise.
Enjoy the snow for a full day.
7:36pm Sunset.
Drive 5h to Auckland.EVENT INFO
We will practice and learn about:
Putting on winter boots.
Walking on snow with winter boots.
Walking with an ice axe.
Attaching crampons to winter boots.
Walking with crampons.
Sliding on snow.
Stopping a slide with an ice axe.GEAR - SNOW HIKING
Helmet (mountaineering helmet, ski helmet, or bike helmet).
Winter mountaineering boots (must be crampon compatible).
Crampons (no microspikes) (well-known long-established brands only).
Ice axe (well-known long-established brands only).
Umbilical leash for ice axe (e.g. Black Diamond Slinger or Spinner leash) or I will provide one.
Sunglasses (with side protection, dark lens category 4 or greater is best).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Backpack must have a hip belt (or bring a harness).
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Gaiters (knee height).
Buff.
Emergency shelter.
Optional: Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).
Cheap slippery clothing for sliding on the snow, e.g. polyester jacket and pants.
We will practice sliding in cheap clothing, so we do not damage our good clothing.
No helmet? No hike - helmet is worn all day, from the carpark.
No winter gloves? No hike.
No sunglasses? No hike.
No crampons or ice axe from Ali Express or Temu. Well-known and long-established brands only (e.g. Grival, Petzl, Black Diamond).Bringing an emergency folding foam mat, and emergency bag (plastic or foil) is really smart.
GEAR - GENERAL HIKING
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper).
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Puffy synthetic-filled jacket (not down-filled).
Sunscreen, lip balm, applied often.
Food & water for the day.
Rain jacket.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.
Headlight.GEAR HIRE
Organise gear hire early.
Contact Living Simply in Newmarket for winter boots ($50), crampons ($50) & ice axe ($25) per weekend hire.
livingsimply.co.nz/page/hire.aspx
Contact Bivouac stores for crampons & ice axe ($10) per day hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire
Contact me for a helmet ($10).YHA NATIONAL PARK
Also known as YHA Backpackers.
Beds have sheets, duvets, pillows and pillowcases.
Bring towel, toiletries, ear plugs (for snorers).
Has hot showers, fully equiped kitchen.
Supermarket nearby.
Book at npbp.co.nz
Example: A mixed-gender dorm, or a females-only dorm.
Free cancellation if cancelled >48 hours before arrival.CARPOOLING
You're welcome to use the comments section to offer a lift or ask for a lift.
Your arrangements are set - passengers if you change driver you must pay the original driver you arranged a seat with (unless the seat is filled).
If 1 passenger suggest give driver $85*.
2 passengers $75* each.
3 passengers $65* each.
*Cost likely to change due to fuel price volatility.BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace*
No music on loudspeakers.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
Stay behind leader.
No smoking.
No littering.
No guests.
*If someone is too slow for the group, others can get too cold waiting and slow people can feel too pressured to go faster, so if safe the group can separate into faster and slower groups.TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist" then "Continue with free plan", There is no need to pay for Meetup+.
Organiser will contact you, then send $15 to organiser for helping with meetup costs, snowcraft costs, future PLB battery replacement, group safety gear, etc.NEW MEMBERS
New members will be checked that they're in New Zealand.5 attendees
MT RUAPEHU - RINGATOTO PEAK - SNOW HIKE
YHA National Park, Waimarino, NZEvent is not full. Join the waitlist, and organiser will chat with you.
WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a snow hike to Ringatoto Peak of Mt Ruapehu. Maybe >12 hours of hiking, so regular and fit hikers only.SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER
Drive 5h to YHA National Park.
Get everything ready today.
Make tomorrow morning very easy.
Sleep at YHA National Park.SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER
4:40am Meet outside YHA National Park, load cars.
4:55am Start driving.
6:11am Sunrise.
Finish hike before sunset.
7:51pm Sunset.
Drive 5h to Auckland, arriving late.GEAR - SNOW HIKING
Helmet (mountaineering helmet, ski helmet, or bike helmet).
Winter mountaineering boots (must be crampon compatible).
Crampons (no microspikes) (well-known long-established brands only).
One or two ice axes (well-known long-established brands only) - if you bring only one ice axe you might only feel safe to go 95% of the way.
Umbilical leash for ice axe(s) (e.g. Black Diamond Slinger or Spinner leash) or I will provide.
Sunglasses (with side protection, dark lens category 4 or greater is best).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Backpack must have a hip belt (or bring a harness).
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Gaiters (knee height).
Buff.
Emergency shelter.
Optional: Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).No helmet? No hike - helmet is worn all day, from the carpark.
No winter gloves? No hike.
No sunglasses? No hike.
Have microspikes but no crampons? No hike.
Crampons or ice axes from Ali Express or Temu? No hike.
Well-known and long-established brands only (e.g. Grivel, Petzl, Black Diamond, Salewa).Bringing an emergency folding foam mat, and emergency sleeping bag (plastic or foil) is really smart.
GEAR - GENERAL HIKING
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper).
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Puffy synthetic-filled jacket (not down-filled).
Sunscreen, lip balm, applied often.
Food & water for the day.
Rain jacket.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.
Headlight.GEAR HIRE
Organise gear hire early.
Contact Living Simply in Newmarket for winter boots ($50), crampons ($50) & ice axe ($25) per weekend hire.
livingsimply.co.nz/page/hire.aspx
Contact Bivouac stores for crampons & ice axe ($10) per day hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire
Contact me for a helmet ($10).YHA NATIONAL PARK
Also known as YHA Backpackers.
Beds have sheets, duvets, pillows and pillowcases.
Bring towel, toiletries, ear plugs (for snorers).
Has hot showers, fully equiped kitchen.
Supermarket nearby.
Book at npbp.co.nz
Example: A mixed-gender dorm, or a females-only dorm.
Free cancellation if cancelled >48 hours before arrival.CARPOOLING
You're welcome to use the comments section to offer a lift or ask for a lift.
Your arrangements are set - passengers if you change driver you must pay the original driver you arranged a seat with (unless the seat is filled).
If 1 passenger suggest give driver $85*
2 passengers $72* each.
3 passengers $60* each.
*Cost likely to change due to fuel price volatility.BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace*
No music on loudspeakers.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
Stay behind leader.
No smoking.
No littering.
No guests.*If someone is too slow for the group, others can get too cold waiting and slow people can feel too pressured to go faster, so if safe the group can separate into faster and slower groups.
TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist" then "Continue with free plan", There is no need to pay for Meetup+.
Organiser will contact you, then send $10 to organiser for helping with meetup costs, snowcraft costs, future PLB battery replacement, group safety gear, etc.NEW RSVPers
New RSVPers will be checked that they're in New Zealand.4 attendees
MT TARANAKI
The Camphouse, 2879 Egmont Road, Taranaki, 2879 Egmont Road, Taranaki, Taranaki, NZTWO BEDS LEFT - Join the waitlist, and organiser will chat with you.
WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a tough walk up Mt Taranaki (1600 metres elevation gain from the carpark). Those wanting to get to the top must have climbed something substantial, like Mt Te Aroha (900 metres elevation gain from the carpark). Likely to be extra hot because of El Nino, so may need extra water. Watch the Mountain Safety Council video at youtube.com/watch?v=UVqQE9p0i5ESATURDAY 23 JANUARY
8:00am I will attend the Western Springs Parkrun :D
10:00am Begin 5 hours drive to Mt Egmont Visitor Centre, 2679 Egmont Road.
Park in a carpark near The Camphouse.
Sleep @ The Camphouse.SUNDAY 24 JANUARY
4:50am Be outside The Camphouse, helmets and headlights on, laces done up, ready to go..
6:25am Sunrise.
11:00am Reach our highest point, enjoy lunch.
11:30am Begin walk down the mountain.
Reach carpark before sunset.
The whole walk may take 8-12 hours, group fitness dependent.
8:46pm Sunset.
Drive 5h to Auckland.THE CAMPHOUSE
Send $32.83 to organiser for a bed in our 8-bed bunkroom.
Cost based on 6 staying at The Camphouse.
Excess will be refunded after the trip.
DOC no longer gives refunds if we need to modify the date (because of bad weather, for example).Has a kitchen with stoves, microwaves, plates, bowls, cutlery, running water.
Hot showers,
Electricity.
Flushing toilets.
Bring a sleeping bag or bedding, ear plugs (for snorers), towel, and a rubbish bag.
Is next to carpark.
Has reception.Info here:
doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/te-papa-kura-o-taranaki/things-to-do/lodges/the-camphouseHUT ETIQUETTE
Respect sleepers.
Tidy up before you leave.
Stand mattress on its side.
Take your rubbish with you.GEAR - MT TARANAKI
Helmet with chin strap (mountaineering helmet, or bike helmet).
Worn all day until we're near the carpark.
Do not ask me if you really need to bring a helmet.
Warm gloves, warm clothing. It is usually very cold up there.GEAR - GENERAL HIKING
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper).
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
Puffy synthetic-filled jacket (not down-filled).
Sunscreen, lip balm, applied often.
Food & water (some suggest 3 litres) for the day.
Rain jacket.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.
Headlight.GEAR - OPTIONAL
Buff.
Hiking poles (helps on the scree section).
Gaiters (prevents stones entering shoes on the scree section).CARPOOLING
You're welcome to use the comments section to offer a lift or ask for a lift.
Your arrangements are set - passengers if you change driver you must pay the original driver you arranged a seat with (unless the seat is filled).
If 1 passenger, suggest give $90* to driver.
2 passengers $75* each.
3 passengers $60* each.
*Cost likely to change due to fuel price volatility.BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace*
No music on loudspeakers.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
Stay behind leader.
No smoking.
No littering.
No guests.
*If someone is too slow for the group, others can get too cold waiting and slow people can feel too pressured, so if safe the group can separate into faster and slower groups.TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist" then "Continue with free plan", There is no need to pay for Meetup+.
Organiser will contact you. Send $5 to organiser for helping with meetup costs, future PLB battery replacement, group safety gear, etc.NEW MEMBERS
New members will be checked that they're in New Zealand.9 attendees
Past events
46
