Crater Lake

Ruapehu Summit and Tama Lakes

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Date: 26-28 February 2021.
Trip type: Medium Tramp.
Location: Tongariro National Park.
Author: Several authors.
Trampers: Meredith S, Nikita, Rebecca, Natasha, Maarten (leader), Michael and Tyler.

Mt Ruapehu

At 7.45 am seven bright-eyed and eager trampers stepped out of the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge and set off up Mt Ruapehu. It was a great day for a climb—blue skies with barely a breath of wind. It didn’t take long before we left the road and stepped our way across shingle and large rocks, tinged with … Read more

A Tale of Two Snowcaves (and a Lasagne)

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Date: 20 September 2019.
Trip type: Alp1 (M).
Location: Ruapehu - Whakapapa.
Author: Mark L.
Trampers: Nick H (leader), Elisabet, Michael, Lukas and Mark L.

Dawn overlooking Crater Lake from Dome at Mt Ruapehu

“And this is my snow saw,” said Nick, as he removed the gleaming blade from its holster. A strangely curved, unwieldy and yet hugely useful device for creating a snow cave, as I would find out later that weekend. Led by Nick H, we were a band of five who had gamely signed up for … Read more

A day for summits

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Date: 14-16 September 2018.
Trip type: Alp 1 (Medium-Fit).
Location: Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park.
Author: Katy.
Trampers: Henry (leader), Katy, Mike W, Erik, George, Jess, Stuart and Tereza.

A pillow, curtains, carpet, even a hot shower. I like this style of alpine climbing! Staying at the lodge on Whakapapa is a great way to soften the blow of an alpine start. Our crew were up at 5am and out the door by 6am on Saturday morning, and we enjoyed the soft glow of … Read more

Summiting Ruapimple

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Date: 20-22 April 2018.
Trip type: Medium Tramping.
Location: Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park.
Author: Bart.
Trampers: Kerry (leader), Jan, James, Bart, Jacob, David, Byron, Lachlan, Anna, Jen, Maj-Britt and Aimee.

Two van loads of happy WTMC trampers reached our lodge close to midnight. Everything was completely fogged in. Luckily the green lights up at XXC gave a good hint where to stop and try to find the stairs to the lodge. Most of us were lodge virgins and when we arrived we were all in … Read more