A Tale of Two Snowcaves (and a Lasagne)

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

The Lodge Custodian’s Day Off

Ruapehu Lodge

The life of the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge custodian in summer is unfortunately one of making unending and excruciatingly stressful decisions. Especially if the twenty guests are Year 13 college students staying for a week. It all comes about because the students have been instructed by their school teachers to do without argument exactly as told … Read more

Kaweka Kaimanawa Traverse

Are we on the right track? Our journey began with a traffic jam at Kaimanawa Road end. Being Labour Weekend, every man and his dog (literally – we were joined by a gorgeous kelpie) was out tramping. After a skillful 100 point turn, our shuttle driver deposited us at the beginning of the Umukarikari track. … Read more

Ruapehu Lodge – winter solstice

Sunset reflected in the window at the WTMC Mt Ruapehu Lodge

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge winter solstice 2018 A wonderfully social weekend at the WTMC Mt Ruapehu Lodge at Whakapapa Skifield celebrating winter solstice with many different activities If you were one of the forty-two people at Platform 9 on the evening of Friday 22 June figuring out your ride in one of the four vans heading … Read more

Lodge Daywalks – Tama Lakes and Ruapehu Summit

WTMC at Tama Lakes

As a city bloke through and through, who loves his cocktail bars and having a wealth of restaurants to dine at, I can’t quite put my finger on why I have a yearning to get exposed to the elements on a wind-ravaged hillside. Maybe getting out in the elements is my way of restoring balance … Read more

Te Heuheu

Te Heuheu

We left for the Te Heuheu ALP 1 trip at 5.30 pm Fri 1st Sept. Tony is a stickler for time I was told (lucky I am a teacher and I only work 9 to 3 pm—haha) so I made it in time! There were 10 of us in the group and the van headed out from … Read more