*MT RUAPEHU CRATER LAKE (SLOW) - SNOW HIKE

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a snowy walk to see the crater lake of Mt Ruapehu from the top of the Dome. Might take 10 hours. Vertical ascent is 1100 metres. Regular hikers only.

FRIDAY 11 JULY
Drive 5 hours to Whakapapa Holiday Park.
Get your backpack ready today.
Make tomorrow very easy.

SATURDAY 12 JULY
Return key to reception letterbox.
4:50am - Cars outside reception, all wearing headlights, ready to drive.
Drive 15 minutes up to the carpark.
Helmets on.
Crampons on.
Begin walk up to the Dome.
7:34am - Sunrise.
We may return to carpark at 4pm.
5:12pm - Sunset.

Then two options:
1. Sleep another night in Whakapapa Village, or
2. Drive 5 hours to Auckland.

SUNDAY 13 JULY
Sunday is optional.
We can enjoy another snowy walk together.
We can decide together what we want to do.
Drive 5 hours to Auckland.

TRACK INFO
There is a toilet almost half way up.
Terrain may be snowy all the way, or a combination of rock and snow.

GEAR FOR SNOW HIKING
Winter mountaineering boots (crampon compatible).
Crampons (no microspikes).
Ice axe.
Helmet (bike or mountaineering).
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Headlight.
Backpack.
Harness (or backpack must have a hip belt).
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
PLB (personal locator beacon).
Emergency shelter.
Food & water.
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Rain jacket.
Rain poncho.
Sunscreen, lip balm.
Sunglasses (with side protection, lens category 4 or greater).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Buff.
No cotton.
No jeans.

GEAR OPTIONAL
Gaiters (knee height).
Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).
Rain pants.
Folding foam sleeping mat.
Umbilical leash for ice axe (e.g. Black Diamond Slinger leash).

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 ($10) & ice axe ($10) per day hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire

WHAKAPAPA HOLIDAY PARK
No shops nearby.
Bring sleeping bag, towel, ear plugs (for snorers).
Has hot showers, shared fridge, stoves, microwaves, pots, plates, cutlery.
Options: $23 tent site, $32 backpacker bed or we could book our own room.

DRIVING THERE
You're welcome to use the comments section to offer a lift or ask for a lift.
700km return from Auckland.
If 1 passenger suggest give driver $75.
2 passengers $65 each.
3 passengers $55 each.

BY ATTENDING YOU AGREE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Attendees must RSVP to event.
The slowest sets the pace.
Tell someone your plans.
We help each other.
We stick together.
Led by organiser.
No littering.
No guests.

TO ATTEND
Click on "Join waitlist with a low priority", then send $10 to organiser for helping with meetup costs and group safety gear.
There is no need to pay for Meetup+