❄️MIDWINTER - Tongariro Four Craters Tour

Days: Saturday 15 Aug - Monday 17 Aug

Route plan: A day touring (or admiring from a distance) all four of the major volcanic craters, via Hardman's Ridge.

Note: We delayed this by a day to be Saturday-Monday

1. Day 1 - Saturday Morning. Meet at the Hunter carpark at 10am and drive to the Mangatepopo carpark. Stop in Ohakune for a late lunch. Walk 30 mins up to the Mangatepopo Hut. It's a serviced hut outside of Great Walk season that still needs to booked. ($25 per night)
2. Day 2 - Sunday. Start at 7am and head up Hardman's Ridge, towards Mt Tongariro, and descending into the central crater. Main difference this time is a slight adjustment to the route to make it easier. This particular route up Hardman's Ridge is considered to be the easiest ascent and non-technical, with the fewest aspects involved to help limit avalanche risk, and a gentler gradient by cutting north. We'll be avoiding the South Crater and likely only gazing at the Red Crater from a far:
   
   
3. Day 3 -  Monday. After an appropriately late morning start, we have options. We could explore the area, drive south to Whakapapa ski field to play in the snow, or head north to the Tokaanu hot pools. We'll aim to be back at Welly by night, stopping for dinner again where appropriate.

Backup days: This trip is fully weather and avalanche risk dependent, and we will delay to another weekend if the forecast 4-5 days out isn't looking good. TBD and will be communicated if necessary.  

Skill Requirements: This is a non-technical route but still proper alpine mountaineering terrain. Snowcraft experience (Or demonstrable alpine experience) is necessary. You will need to know safe traversal, self-arresting, and the basics of identifying avalanche danger and rescue. We'll do a self-arrest refresher when we get up to the snowline.

Fitness Requirements: Medium. Fairly long day, decent level of fitness needed - about 800m up/down, over half of which will be in snow. The Alpine area and upper reaches of Hardman's Ridge will have good snow cover this year. Weather and avalanche risk dependent, of course.

Gear: Overnight tramping gear, plus snow gear - sunglasses, waterproof coat and pants and gloves, stiff three-quarter shank boots or better. Lots of warm layers, the Red Crater is cold and we will have to layer up at top. Crampons, ice axes, and helmets can be borrowed from the club, possibly gaiters.

Food: Bring your own breakfasts and lunches, shared dinner groups are an option.

Cost: $50 for 2 nights at Mangatepopo, and whatever your share of gas is. Expect $100~, plus whatever your individual food costs are.