Snowcraft 1 and Avalanche Skills Course

Every year we like to head up Mt Ruapehu & learn a bit about alpine hiking. We learn how to use an ice axe, crampons & some info about safety in winter conditions.

We stay at the TTC Lodge on the mountain, which is one of the most incredible places to watch the sunrise & sunset.

Welcome to the Biannual Snowcraft!! (there will be a second one later in the sem)

Snowcraft is a great chance to learn the basics about alpine tramping. So that’ll be using an iceaxe, crampons & and general info about safety in winter and snow conditions. We will be based at Ruapehu, where we stay in the TTC Lodge, offering the best views of the sunrise and sunset! We are also offering 6 subsidised spots for the Hillary Outdoors Avalanche Skills Course 1 (details towards the bottom of the page).

What happens on Snowcraft?

Dates: Friday 31st July - Sunday 2nd August

On Friday evening we will meet at the gear shed from 4pm to sus ourselves out, then start driving north by 4:30pm. Bulls is about halfway & has a bangin' curry spot so maybe pop in for dinner on the way, or elsewhere (up to your driver really). We should get to Ruapehu before midnight, then we have to walk about 20min from the carpark to the lodge. 

Saturday morning we will rise at a reasonable hour, have breakfast, and sort the day's gameplan. We will split into groups, and spend the day on the mountain learning snow skills, & checking out some cool scenery. Then we'll head back down to the lodge for a mean feed & a bit of socialising. 

Sunday morning we have to tidy up the lodge but otherwise we can decide what we want to do depending on conditions and how people are feeling. There's potential for more snow stuff, or maybe a trip to the hotpools or other locations on the way home. We will likely be back in Wellington late on Sunday.

What do I need for snowcraft?

A comprehensive list will be sent out to those attending, but here's a rough outline of the kind of gear you need:

• Waterproof jacket, pants & gloves

• Boots that are compatible with crampons - this is very important! Bring your boots to a meeting if you're not sure. 

• Sleeping bag

• Warm clothes - thermals, fleece etc

• Headtorch

• Snow goggles or decent sunglasses

VUWTC will supply helmets, ice axes, and crampons.

Costs

Snowcraft 1 (not including Avalanche Skills Course): $150 for those going on the course, and $135 for those leading groups

• The fees for staying 2 night in the TTC lodge
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner/dessert
• Your share of petrol (it's a long drive!)

Avalanche Skills Course (including Snowcraft 1 costs and fuel): $76, which will be applied atop of the already exisiting Snowcraft fee

• Accommodation in Ohakune on the 30th July
• Dinner for the 30th and breakfast and lunch for the 31st
• Hillary Outdoors Avalanche Skills Course 1

Drivers will be reimbured according to the IRD's kilometer rates.

How do I sign up?

Sign up using the sign up form below. Sign ups will open on the 1st of July and close on the 9th July.

Due to the popularity of this trip it will not be first in first served - priority will be given to members that are currently active in the club (coming to meetings/going on trips) & wanting to go on Midwinter trips in the uni break.

We are allowed 31 people in the lodge so that will be the trip capacity. There will be a snowcraft 2 later in the semester.

Hillary Outdoors Avalanche Skills Course 1 (ASC1): 

We have arranged a private avalanche skills (ASC1) course through Hillary Outdoors 

More information about the course:

This 1.5 day course introduces participants to essential avalanche safety skills needed for travelling in snow-covered alpine terrain. It is designed for individuals who would like to spend time travelling in an alpine environment, or outside of ski area boundaries, but have little or no experience with the avalanche phenomenon. The first day (30th July) is theory evening in Ohakune (where you will be staying that night). The second day is field-based at Whakapapa. You will join the Snowcraft 1 team at TTC lodge at the end of the second day.

If you take part in the Avalanche Course, you will be expected to lead groups on Snowcraft 1 and 2. This is to recognise the significant course subsidy provided by VUWTC. Selection for the course will be based on past/present/future involement and commitment to the club, your availability for Snowcraft 1 and 2 (dates for Snowcraft 2 TBC shortly), and whether you will be able to help with/lead trips in the upcoming Midwinter break.

The course covers an introduction to:

• Trip planning and preparation
• Defining the avalanche phenomenon
• Understanding the NZ Avalanche Advisory
• Weather, terrain, snowpack and how these relate to avalanche conditions
• Travel: Evidence based decision-making about route selection and safe travel techniques
• Human factors and decision-making tools
• Avalanche rescue

Course prerequisites – participants must:

• Be aged 18+ years
• Have solid snow movement skills and fitness level appropriate to travel safely for eight hours in alpine terrain and conditions
• Be physically capable of walking, skiing, or snowboarding in a variety of snow conditions on moderate-angled terrain