Tue 29 Dec 2015 Mt Ruapehu

Summary:
Another mountain climb, this time up to Mt Ruapehu (highest mountain in North Island). It's higher up as it was still covered with snow, but we can drive up to the ski resort and catch a chairlift to 2020 m. It was a tough hike as it was constantly uphill with rock clambering or walking on snow. No easy paths ;-)! It was quite fun with quite a different terrain to our previous hike. The view was spectacular and it became quite windy and cold as we climbed higher up. Luckily we were well prepared with our ski gear. 

At the top of Mt Ruapehu with Mt Ngaurehoe in the back

We had our lunch near the top (a climb of over 500 m) and then descended the mountain by sliding down a lot of the way on garbage bags. Our bottoms became 'numb bums' from the cold, and we got pretty soaked despite having overpants on. It's a much quicker way to travel! We spent the rest of the day recuperating and packing to leave the next day.

MJ managed to keep his pants dry but his socks and shoes were soaked right through.

MK: Recording with GoPro sliding down the snow on garbage bags!
MJ: Jumping off the cliff.
MH: Sliding down the snow on garbage bags!

Logbook:
07:30 (938 km) Breakfast of toast and cereal.
08:30 (938 km) Left Turangi.
09:15 (993 km) Whakapapa ski fields. Took the ski chairlift to as high as possible. Then the hard climb started.

Starting with a rocky climb that turned into walking on snow.

Sliding down - Yippee

 

According to mobile app, we walked 5.35 km in 4:58:14 hours. Came down on ski lift.

15:20 (993 km) Left Whakapapa Ski Fields.
16:10 (1047 km) Turangi Bridge Motel. Had dinner of noodles with broccoli, carrot, egg, bacon and pork schnitzel.