Got To Get Out WINTER Tongariro Crossing (or Turoa ski trip!)

Have you #gottogetout this winter for some of the best alpine hiking in NZ?

OR, maybe you want to hit Turoa ski field (our only planned visit to that ski field, so far this year)

Join us on one of these iconic New Zealand adventures!

You have the choice to either:

1. Hike the Tongariro Crossing in winter (with ice axe / crampons / helmet), fully guided by Adrift, OR

2. Go skiing or snowboarding to Turoa Ski Area for one day, Whakapapa the next (lift pass not included)

The hike will be guided by local experts Adrift Tongariro - Guided Outdoor Adventures, and hosted by Got To Get Out. The ski trip is a 'self guided' explore of the ski area.

GTGO Founder Rob will host / drive a group to Turoa from National Park on SATURDAY.

DETAILS

Summary: we will leave Ponsonby road, Friday 6pm. You do the crossing or ski trip on Saturday and on Sunday we have a half-day look around Whakapapa (ski or explore).

Note that Sunday will be a backup day for the hike in case of bad weather Saturday.

Friday:

530pm - Meet up outside Archie Café, Ponsonby

6pm - Departure in our bus (pickups at Bombay or along the way are fine)

Approx. 11pm - Arrival National Park, dump bags and go to bed.

Saturday

6am up - breakfast, dressed warm!

7am - Crater Climb group dropped at Afrift Tongariro, and does Crossing together (guided by Adrift Tongariro, the experts)

8am - skiers go with Rob to Turoa ski area

5pm - all reunited at lodge in the evening

630pm - Shared dinner and hear all about the trips!

Sunday

7 or 8am - Wake up, breakfast and clean lodge

9am - Half day visit to Whakapapa for everyone (those who don't want to ski, can hang out)

1pm (thereabouts) - depart ski field after lunch on mountain

7pm return Auckland

(NOTE: Sunday is subject to change - it will be our backup day for hiking if weather is bad Saturday).

ABOUT WINTER TONGARIRO CROSSING

This 19km trek is New Zealand’s best day one-day walk. The track leads up to the saddle between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro. The landscape on Tongariro is peppered with different coloured and shaped craters that have been active at different periods, scoured volcanic rocks, mountain springs and brightly coloured emerald lakes.

The Tongariro Crossing in winter offers the opportunity to walk through the magnificent snow-covered landscape without the summer crowds.

Read more: https://www.adriftnz.co.nz/adrift-specials/tongariro-alpine-crossing-winter-special/

This is FAIRLY HARD and you need to be fit enough to walk for a whole day, in the cold, with your own backpack.

ACCOMMODATION

You will be staying two nights in bunk (or single) beds in an epic National Park lodge. The lodge has a fully equipped kitchen and separate showers and toilets for men/women + open fire. The cost for accommodation is included in the ticket price.

GEAR LIST for Crossing:

Included in price (provided by Adrift):

- Crampons

- Ice axe

- Helmet

You must bring:

- Lunch & snacks

- Water (3L, there is NO water on the track)

- Personal medication

- Walking poles (if desired)

- Sunscreen

- Sunglasses

- Backpack (need to carry water, food, clothes, etc.)

- Hiking boots (over the ankle with a sturdy sole suitable for crampons)

- Warm socks

- Thermal longs

- Warm walking trousers

- 3 x warm top lawyers (merino, wool, polyprop, fleece, soft shell, puffer jacket are all good warm layers. Cotton is not suitable)

- Waterproof raincoat (ski jackets are ok)

- Warm beanie

- Warm gloves

- Buff

- Waterproof over-trousers

- A change of clothes for after the hike

NB - All of these clothing and footwear items are available to rent at the Adrift Base if required.

NOTE: If you are hiking Tongariro Crossing you will be starting from Adrift Base Saturday morning and can rent your gear then.

* Boots must be over the ankle and have a stiff sole. If the sole of the boot folds easily and/or has mesh, then it isn't suitable for crampons. There should be a metal shaft in the sole of the boot which will provide the resistance the sole of the boot needs to keep the crampon.

TUROA SKI VISIT:

- Brig everything you need for ski or snowboard for the day (boots, jacket, warm layers, money)

- or rent everything from Mt Ruapehu that you are missing

- You can self-explore the mountain (with the friends you have made) or get lessons.

- Ski pass is separate / not included in this cost.

For the lodge:

- Sleeping bag (mattresses are provided, so no need to bring a sleeping pad), pillow

- Pillowcase

- Torch/headlamp

- Towel

- Food (2 x breakfast, lunch for the hike, 1 x dinner - potluck, snacks)

- Something to share with everyone on the Saturday shared feast!

We will do a potluck dinner on Saturday!

FITNESS

Although both adventures are classified as Intermediate-hard, no previous winter outdoor alpine experience is required. Reasonably good level of fitness is required. We will walk at a moderate pace due to limited daylight hours in order to reach key landmarks before dark.

CHECK-IN

Before arrival to the event please sign-in using our werewolf check-in:

www.gottogetout.com/check-in (Make sure whoever you list as your emergency contact, will have their phone on and be able to assist us in an emergency.)

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations with at least 2 weeks notice will be 100% refunded. Cancellations with less then 2 weeks notice will not be refunded.

If you have questions or concerns about your fitness level or gear, please contact robert@gottogetout.com.

You've #gottogetout!