By Charlie Dale-Low, 01 August 2026
The crew sped of from hunter carkpark around 5pm on Friday in high spirits. First stop Bulls for a cheeky feed. With the gang well fueled, we continued onwards to Whakapapa. One of the group had smokey car issues and afew groups were delayed a couple hours. Inorder to stay warm, Me and Jayden had a creative shoulder and arm workout. Involving tables and chairs in the emergency shelter. 1.30am rolls around and we reunited with the group and our warm layers. With our trusty head torches guiding the way, we began trecking to the TTC lodge. where we passed out instantly.
We woke to crystal clear skies and the smell of a heartly cinnamon porridge on the stove. Spent the day wandering up around on the TTC lodge, eating Tommy's chocolate, practicing self arresting and walking with cramp-ons.
As the day wrapped up, the sleds came out. The sun began to set, and the drinks began!
A few drinks deep, With Jamiroquai bumping on the speakers, we began cooking up a mountain of beef nachos for the hungry crew.
It was now time for post dinner sock wrestling. Jack and Sean arraged cusions to create an arena and those brave enough stepped up to battle intensely for each others socks.
The smells of dessert began wafting from the kitchen and the sock wrestling was abandoned for apple crumble, mulled wine and an obsurd amount of icecream. Which I can confrim is a recipey for a great nights sleep.
The next morning's view was even more stunning than the previous day.
Mount Ngauruhoe looking super sexy.
We continued our wandering from the previous day this time alot slower as we were pretty beat and knacker from the self arresting practice.
At around 3pm we were all packed up from TTC lodge and slid most of our way back down to the Whakapapa car park and headed back towards Wellys.
Of course A cheeky stop at the Chocolate Eclair shop and petrol and we were off again.
Back at the Hunter carpark at around 9pm.