Objectives
To gain experience in an alpine environment
To enjoy a prolonged light-weight tramp
To meet people from other SAR Groups
To visit the SAR facilities of other SAR Groups
Times
Depart from the Were residence 31st December at 8.00am
Arrive back in Hamilton (Were residence) around 5.00pm 6th January
Costs
The cost is still to be determined.
It covers transport and accommodation plus food for the last two days.
Food
Serious thought is required regarding food which must be light yet filling.
Try dehydrating your own mince etc. YSAR owns a dehydrator that can be borrowed.
A bulk order for Back Country Food products will be placed in November
Equipment
You must have enough gear to be able to camp out.
It makes sense to share cooking gear and shelter (tent or fly) with at least one other person.
Weight
Your goal should be to keep the weight of your pack to 11kg or less.
This requires some serious planning and requires a lot of time – weigh absolutely everything.
The Program
The program is likely to be as follows – subject to the weather
Day 1.
Whakapapa
Village to the Mangaturuturu Hut
Day 2. Mangaturuturu Hut to the
Mangaehuehu Hut
Day 3. Mangaehuehu Hut to the Rangipo Hut
Day 4. Rangipo Hut to the Waihohonu Springs
Day 5. Waihohonu Springs across Ngauruhoe and Tongariro to Ketitahi carpark. Stay at National Park
Day 6. Climb Ruapehu then stay at Turangi. Visit National Park SAR
Day 7. Visit Turangi SAR facility then back to Hamilton
Fitness Test
This trip requires a high level of fitness. To ensure that you will not let yourself or the rest of the Group down you must complete a fitness test between 30th November and 24th December.
There are two options:
1, Carry a 10kg pack to Ruapane from the end of Grey Road (Pirongia Lodge) in less than 75 minutes. There is no time limit on the return trip.
2, Complete the Kaimai Traverse (Karangahake to Scout Hut/Kaimai Rd in either direction) in less than 4.5 days.