*MT NGAURUHOE (SLOW) - 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 Mangatepopo Hut before sunset.
5:29pm Sunset.
The whole walk may take 8-12 hours, group fitness dependent.
Sleep another night @ Mangatepopo Hut.

SUNDAY 3 AUGUST
If Saturday has poor weather, and Sunday has good weather, let's do something on Sunday instead.

MANGATEPOPO HUT
Before you go buy one serviced (green) $25 hut ticket
from Bivouac, Kathmandu, Living Simply, Macpac or a DOC visitor centre and deposit the hut ticket in the honesty box at the hut, or buy a backcountry hut pass ($160/year) from the DOC website.
The mattresses are "first come first served" which means you can claim a mattress if another hasn't.
Not bookable.
No shops nearby.
No electricity.
No rubbish bins.
Non-flush toilets.
Far from carpark.
Some reception.
Water from rain water tank.
Bring sleeping bag , ear plugs (for snorers), air pillow.
Info at doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/huts/mangatepopo-hut

HUT ETIQUETTE
Respect sleepers.
Tidy up before you leave.
Take your rubbish with you.

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

GEAR - BACKPACK
Large backpack which can easily hold everything.
Harness (or backpack must have a hip belt).
Pack liner or rubbish sack (to waterproof gear).
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).
PLB (personal locator beacon).

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

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
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+