Ruapehu Summer Program

Ruapehu Summer/Autumn program 2018 - come stay!

Tongariro National Park

What... Encouraging ASC members (and their families and friends) to use the club’s Ruapehu Lodges out of the ski season

Why... To become a more prosperous, vibrant, fun and financially viable club

When... January 5 - 28 (includes Auckland Anniversary Weekend); February 3 -6 (Waitangi Weekend), 9 - 28 (Midis - Feb. 18 - 22 - contact Warren Whyte); March 16 - 19 and 23 - 24; April School Holidays 2018 (specific dates to be advised when hut officers confirmed)

How much..

Adult member $30/night
Junior member $18/night
Adult guest $36/night
Junior guest $24/night

(includes bunk, breakfast and dinner; .... and current bunk season pass can be used)

How to book? ... http://www.alpinesports.org.nz/huts/hut-bookings/bookings/makebooking

Club members are warmly invited to spend some time at our lodges at Ruapehu over summer to enjoy the myriad of activities in the area. Encourage your friends and family to join you for some fun and recreation.

Feel free to do your own thing, join up with others staying in the lodge to do what they're doing, offer to lead an activity ..... the options are endless!

Glimpse of Tongariro National Park attractions...

NB: Department of Conservation and Project Tongariro Summer Programme - Mahi Aroha (now open for bookings - DON'T DELAY AS LIMITED PLACES) - something for everyone!

To book any of the following activities, follow this link ......

Kite-flying day
Discover Lake Rotopounamu
Landscape Photography
Okupata Caves Adventure
Sigley Falls
Wairakei Wildlife Sanctuary
Waiouru Military Base (Moawhango Ecological District)
Poronui Mountain Bike Trip
Sulphur and Secrets (Rotokawa geothermal area)
Te Maari Eruption (tramping)
Tussock Traverse
Te Reanga Harakeke (the origins of flax)
Kaikawaka Villa
Predator free 2050 - learn how to trap predators

Here are a couple of quick links to things to do, places to see in Tongariro National Park ...... while you're staying at our lodge!

We've included links for specific activities and a tentative programme below - check for updates:

Sledding!!!

Yes, the new Snow Factory at Whakapapa is busy making snow daily over the summer season!! Sledding is available in the Plaza at the top of the Bruce Road in front of the main buildings (Lorenz's, retail shop etc). There's a charge for this and hire of sledges as it does cost to manufacture snow in summer!!

Tramping/running

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (note: carparking near Mangatepopo likely to be limited to 4 hrs) - car-pooling or shuttle needed

look out for the Plains of Gorgoroth and Mt Doom (Lord of the Rings filming locations!)

Ruapehu Crater Lake (via RAL chairlifts if desired)
Guided (Ruapehu) Crater Lake Hikoi (6 hours)
Skyline Ridge Walk (via RAL chairlifts) from Knoll Ridge cafe
Meads Wall Walk (via RAL chairlifts)
Lower and Upper Tama Lakes

Ohakune Old Coast Road
Lake Surprise tramping track (advanced - 5 hrs return)
Old Blyth tramping track (advanced - 5 hrs return)
Taranaki Falls (2 hrs loop walk from Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre)
The 14th Tussock Traverse Saturday 27 January 2018.... run or walk 6.5km, 13km or 26km.... (earlybird discounts for entries up to 15 December) (contact Gerald Baptist on 021 026 01412 re the 26km)
Silica Rapids Walking Track - 2.5 hrs /7km return to Bruce Road
More walks in and around Tongariro National Park

Conservation - natural/cultural/historical

Department of Conservation and Project Tongariro Summer Programme - Mahi Aroha (now open for bookings - see above)

Mountain biking (and BMX track)

Climbing

Meads Wall
Whakapapa Gorge (behind Meads Wall)
Pehi's Bluff
Mangatepopo Bluffs
Holl's Rock - above Upper Tama Lake
Wall of Sound (Tukino) - advanced climbing
White Falls (Upper Mangaturuturu Valley) - advanced climbing

Sightseeing/Walking

Moordoor and Emyn Muil (‘Lord of the Rings’ filming locations!) -Whakapapa Ski Field
Knoll Ridge cafe - views and coffee on Whakapapa Ski Field
High tea at Chateau Tongariro Hotel
Raurimu Spiral (north of National Park)
National Park Visitor Centre (National Park)
Ohakune area short walks

Mangawhero Forest Walk (wheelchair access)
Rimu Walk
Mangawhero Falls

Ithilien (Lord of the Rings filming location!)

Waitonga Falls

Ohakune - Johnny Nation's Chocolate Eclair Shop, 78 Clyde St, Ohakune (closed for summer :-( ... )
Waiouru Army Museum (including KidzHQ) - SH1 and Hassett Drive, Waiouru
Tongariro National Trout Centre (near Turangi) SH1

- check their website for Public Kids Fishing Days and/or group bookings for over 15 people

Lake Rotopounamu track (easy - 2hrs or shorter 20 min option)
Tokaanu Thermal Walk and Pools (n.w. of Turangi)
Smash Palace (car salvage yard in several NZ movies) - Horopito, SH4, south of Whakapapa

Fishing

Turangi - trout fishing hub on southern edge of Lake Taupo
Lake Otamangakau

Stand up paddle boarding

Lake Otamangakau

and many, many more walking, mountain-biking, climbing and socialising opportunities!!!

Tentative programme .....

The following trips/activities will be led sometime in the period indicated and according to weather conditions on the day:

January 6 - 11

Taranaki Falls;
Upper Tama Lake;
Skyline Ridge Walk;
sightseeing in vicinity of Turangi (eg Lake Rotopounamu,Tokanuu Thermal Area and Hot Pools, Tongariro National Trout Centre).

January 22 - 28

January 26 - Skyline Ridge Walk
January 27 - 14th Tussock Traverse (contact Gerald Baptist on 021 026 01412 if you plan to do the 26km event)

February/March (dates to be confirmed)

2 day (overnighter) into Hauhungatahi Wilderness area and up to Huahungatahi - off track, returning via Round the Mountain Track (difficult) - good level of fitness required (contact Brian Duffy)
Bridge to Nowhere mountain-biking (contact Brian Duffy)
Rock climbing school - leader required (contact Brian Duffy)

For further information on this program please contact Carolyn Blackford on phone 09 580 1353, mobile 022 651 6066 or email cblackfordcarolyn@gmail.com