SNOW SKILLS - PRACITING SNOW HIKING AND SELF ARREST

Event 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.