*MT NGAURUHOE - SNOW HIKE

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a snowy walk up Mt Ngauruhoe. This is for people who have completed one of our snow skills events, or a snowcraft course with the alpine club.

TRACK INFO
There is no water on the track.
There are a few toilets up until the base of the mountain.
Terrain is a combination of rock and snow.

FRIDAY 1 AUGUST
Drive 5h to Mangatepopo Carpark.
Headlights on, walk 30 minutes to Mangatepopo Hut.
Get everything ready today.
Make tomorrow morning very easy.
Sleep @ Mangatepopo Hut.

SATURDAY 2 AUGUST
4:50am Be outside the hut, headlights on, laces done up, ready to go. Begin walking.
7:17am Sunrise.
11:00pm Reach our highest point, enjoy lunch.
11:30pm Begin walk down the mountain the same way.
Reach The Camphouse before sunset.
The whole walk may take 8-12 hours, group fitness dependent.
5:29pm Sunset.

Then two options:
1. Many might prefer to sleep another night @ The Camphouse, or
2. Walk 30 minutes to carpark, and drive 5h back to Auckland (organiser is likely to do this).

MANGATEPOPO HUT
Cannot book.
"First come first served", which means if noone has claimed a bed, then you can.
$25, or use your backcountry hut pass ($160/year) or camp outside for free.
No shops nearby.
Bring sleeping bag , ear plugs (for snorers), air pillow.
Take your rubbish when you leave.

HUT ETIQUETTE
When people are sleeping, be quiet.
Before sleeping, prepare your gear for a silent exit from bunkroom.
When your alarm wakes you, silently get your gear and yourself out of the bunkroom, and get ready quietly in the lounge.

GEAR - SNOW HIKING
Winter mountaineering boots.
Crampons (no microspikes).
Ice axe.
Umbilical leash for ice axe (e.g. Black Diamond Slinger leash).
Helmet (bike or mountaineering).
Winter gloves (e.g. ski gloves with additional inner glove).
Buff.

GEAR - BACKPACK
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
PLB (personal locator beacon).
Emergency shelter.
Food & water.
Headlight.

GEAR - CLOTHING
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino long johns, merino shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Rain jacket.
Rain poncho.
Rain pants.
No cotton.
No jeans.

GEAR - PROTECTION
Sunscreen, lip balm.
Sunglasses (with side protection, lens category 4 or greater).

GEAR - RECOMMENDED
Gaiters (knee height).

GEAR - OPTIONAL
Cap (with no button and fits under helmet).

GEAR HIRE
Organise early.
Contact Living Simply in Newmarket for winter boots ($50), crampons ($50) & ice axe ($25) hire.
livingsimply.co.nz/page/hire.aspx
Contact Bivouac stores for crampons ($10) & ice axe ($10) hire.
bivouac.co.nz/gearhire
Contact me for an umbilical ice axe leash ($5).

DRIVING THERE
You're welcome to ask for a lift or offer a lift in the comments section.
700km return from Auckland.
If 1 passenger, suggest give $75 to driver.
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+