PGSA 2014 - Mt. Tongariro Crossing

DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED 3 WEEKS, TO THE 14TH OF DECEMBER. AS THAT DATE IS OFFICIALLY SUMMER, IT SHOULD MAKE FOR A BETTER HIKING EXPERIENCE. Seriously, it will be a great time! We just couldn't do November 16th anymore because there was a bad late-season snowfall on the tracks. (Terrible, horrible, rotten luck). By the 14th of December, this will be gone and summer will be upon us. :) Apologies to anyone inconvenienced by this change. Thanks for signing up! Or if you haven't signed up yet, SIGN UP!

Brought to you by the PGSA and the UASC, our midspring event is...

OUR 1st ANNUAL SUMMER MOUNTAIN CLIMB!

The usual cost of a just staying anywhere near Tongariro mountain for a 3 day, 2 night event is $140. Other lodge accommodation near the mountain is $70 and up per night ($140 or more for two nights!) and doesn't even include food! Thinking of staying in a cheap motel near the mountain? WHOA, MISTER MONEYBAGS! That can be $100 and up per night!

So what will you be paying?

ONLY $110 for the weekend transport, most food, and lodging! And the lodge is on Mt. Ruapehu so you get a view of its' own from there! A view of the ski fields during the summer.

What’s included:

For only $110, we bring you:

• Transportation for the weekend
  • Includes a visit to scenic Lake Taupo and the picturesque Huka Falls!
• 2 night’s accommodation at The Lodge (owned by the University of Auckland SnowSports Club)
• Travel to/from Tongariro Park
• Free entry to the park
• PGSA and Tramping Club have worked together to provide some excellent guides!
  
• 2 breakfasts*
• 2 dinners* (homecooked meals just like momma makes you back home!)

* - While we will try to cater to all tastes, food preferences, allergies, and any other practice, it may not be possible in this circumstance for us to cater to all special dietary needs or requests. If you have any special needs or requests, please let us know prior to ticket purchase to see if we can accommodate those needs. If we cannot, it might be required that you bring your own food for these meals. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. That said, we will make every effort to make your experience a positive one. Vegetarian options will be available.

** - Please bring food to pack for lunch for each day. That food will not be provided. Sandwiches, energy snacks, fruit, and a bunch of water is recommended to bring!

What’s not included:

• This DOES NOT include Sunday lunch, Monday lunch, and Tuesday lunch and dinner – but two of those we will be getting as a group during our travel to and from the lodge (Sunday lunch will likely be at Lake Taupo), and the Monday and Tuesday lunch you're on your own because you'll be having too much fun hiking (you'll need to pack a lunch that you can carry while hiking, so this will be variable and up to you as to what you can carry)! Also, it’s recommended that you bring snacks for energy while hiking (fun takes energy!). As we will not be catering these meals, we do not control whether or not any venue will be able to meet any special dietary requests.
  
• Must be 18 years of age or over to take part in the trip. No exceptions!
  

Tentative plan for the week (this is our plan unless the weather changes our plans):

Sunday:

• Leave Sunday at 9:00 am sharp from the bus stop outside the main library (look for PGSA team members in their bright yellow shirts!)
• PLEASE BE ON TIME - IF YOU GET THERE LATE AND VANS HAVE ALREADY LEFT, THIS IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY! WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET YOU ON ONE OF THE VANS!!!
  
• Drive to the ski lodge, arriving during the evening. Unpack, settle in, and then enjoy a nice dinner.
• On the way:
  
• • Drive to Lake Taupo, where we will stop for a nice lunch by the lakeside
  • Drive to Huka Falls for some amazing pictures! If you haven’t seen the falls before, be prepared to see something awesome! Everything is awesome when you’re part of PGSA events!
• After dinner, relax and have a social time, including games. (Alcohol is allowed at the lodge, so feel free to bring some to enjoy at this time. But the PGSA will not be providing any alcohol.)

Monday:

• Wake up early, have breakfast at the lodge
• If weather permits:
• Drive to Tongariro Park, Hike Mt. Tongariro. Take amazing pictures. Have an amazing time. Love your life in New Zealand.
  
• Eat lunch while we hike
• After a fun day of hiking, come back for dinner around 5pm. This time will vary depending on whether the Tongariro hike was done or not on this day.
  
• Another relaxing night of social fun!

Tuesday:

• Wake up early, have breakfast at the lodge
• If weather was poor on Monday:
• Drive to Tongariro Park, Hike Mt. Tongariro. Take amazing pictures. Have an amazing time. Love your life in New Zealand.
  
• Eat lunch while we hike
• After a fun day of hiking, drive home, leaving around 5pm. This time will vary depending on whether the Tongariro hike was done or not on this day.
  
• Arrive in Auckland around 10 pm (but this time will vary depending on how the day goes, and might run as late as midnight).

• Vans WILL NOT be transporting anyone directly to their homes. The only drop off point will be Auckland University (exactly the same point from where you were picked up on Sunday). Please have a ride arranged or transport sorted for yourself. Sorry, but it's impossible for us to drop people off, as the drivers will also be tired.
  

* there is a slim possibility that we wake up on both days and the weather is deemed too poor for the Tongariro Crossing to happen. We apologize in advance if this happens. We will still have an amazing time hiking in New Zealand, but it won't be at altitude, as that can be dangerous. This likelihood is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY, as November weather usually permits the climb at least one of the two days on a weekend. In the event that the climb cannot be taken, the price of the ticket cannot be refunded, as travel and lodging will have already been paid for.

The Lodge, Mount Ruapehu

• The Lodge sleeps 32 in two separate bunkrooms with shared bathrooms (gender split). There are kitchen facilities and a lounge/dining area.
• The idea of staying in the lodge is that everyone mucks in (participates) with making dinner, or tidying away, giving it a real community feel.
• The lodge is a basic accommodation similar to a backpackers. It has bunks (no linens), a nice kitchen, and lots of living space to party and socialize. Beyond that, everything else will need to be provided by the person staying overnight. This includes sleeping bags, pillows, toiletries, towels, or anything else you would require.

No items can be purchased on the mountain (no shops).

Things you might consider bringing with you:

• We recommend you come prepared for both warm (ground level) and cold (mountain level) climates, no matter the forecast for the weekend. And also prepare to get wet (rain, etc).
• Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
• Sturdy hiking boots (running shoes and sandals are not suitable for the temperatures and wetness)
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
• Water & water bottle (at least 1L capacity)
  
• High-energy snack food (nuts, chocolate, muesli bars etc)
• Simple First Aid supplies (the trip leader will have a simple first aid kit)
• Sleeping Bag (pillow is optional) – it gets cold at night in the cabin (it will be below freezing outside) so please be prepared to need a nice warm place to stay!
• Towel
• Toiletries
• Food for packed lunches for two days
  

If you do not have suitable clothing, stores such as Kathmandu (located on Queen Street) offer a good selection of options (www.kathmandu.co.nz). There are also sales on throughout the year.

If you are purchasing new items, remember that wearing layers of clothing is more effective than thicker items. Also, more expensive doesn’t mean better (can be too warm as well as too cold). Ask a store attendant to help you out on a selection that is appropriate for the climate. They all know how to dress to hike in NZ! Make sure to tell them you'll be staying in a lodge at a good altitude so they can advise you on that as well (for sleeping warmth).

Weather

Due to the rugged and alpine environment, the weather at ground level can differ greatly from conditions 1000 metres higher. Please be prepared for cold weather, no matter the forecast. This trip will continue rain or shine.

Bad Weather Plan

It is incredibly unlikely that plans will change. In the event that plans change, you will be notified immediately of the changes via the e-mail you signed up when you purchased the ticket. Please check your e-mail on the event day.

All tickets are Non-Refundable. Make sure you will be able to make it to the event when you purchase the tickets.

Liability:

While PGSA strives to ensure a safe environment, PGSA takes no responsibility for the safety of members when they are not on event-activity time. This includes the time in the lodge and associated activities. We are providing a package which includes transportation, accommodation, and some meals (large quantity, but limited food choices). The choice to pay the entrance fee and enter the venue (and accept those risks inherent in that choice) lies solely on the individual.

I understand that travel to and from, and the hiking activities themselves have a certain set of risks as any sporting event might have and will be prepared appropriately for the terrain and temperature and follow all safety instructions. Staff and management will take all practical steps to identify and minimise potential dangers. However, you must follow our instructions at all times. Adults accompanying any person under the age of 18 must ensure that the underage person follows our instructions also. We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others (without refund!). We also reserve the right to not take passengers on this trip or any part of the trip if we consider there is a risk to either lives or vessel. If at any time you require assistance, please do not hesitate to approach one of our staff members. Please notify staff of any medical conditions which might affect you during this trip. By checking the box on the event form, you indemnify the PGSA and our staff against any liability we may incur, resulting from your failure to follow our instructions.

Warning: Under New Zealand law it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to sue anyone if you are injured. In addition, New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme provides only limited assistance to visitors to New Zealand who are injured. We strongly recommend that all visitors to New Zealand have full insurance covering any injury they might suffer, including medical treatment cover, before undertaking this activity.

Exclusions: From time to time events may occur which lead to delays or damage to passenger property. While we endeavour to prevent such an occurrence, there may be times when your shoes will get wet (in other words, your property will get muddy and dirty, and might be damaged in physical activity...which isn't our liability to keep clean and in proper shape). To the extent permitted by law, all our liability for damage to your property, disruption to travel plans, or mental injury is excluded. This exclusion is subject to any rights or remedies you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Note: No 'payment at door' option available for this event.

For more information:
The lodge: http://www.uasc.co.nz/
The mountain: http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/whakapapa/

http://www.alpinehotbus.co.nz/the-crossing.html

http://www.tongarirocrossing.com/specials/shuttle-timetable/

http://www.metservice.com/mountain/tongariro-national-park

PGSA: http://pgsa.org.nz/