MT RUAPEHU - RINGATOTO PEAK - SNOW HIKE

Event 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.