Thursday night and twenty club members climbed into the bus for the long weekend away on the mountain.   The weather forecast was not encouraging…wind, rain and tempest….may be even a little snow.  We got to our comfortable lodge by midnight with lots of room for everyone.

Our party of eight led by Peter Wortman (and John H., Alan, Kate, Keith Roz and Roger) had an early start to get up in time to catch the shuttle to Mangatepopo  at 7.30am.  No rain, a little wind and Tongariro and Ruapehu peeping through the cloud.  We set off shortly after 8.00am.  I was impressed with the upgraded track heading up the valley.  It is many years since I had done the crossing and my memories were of a rough track scrambling over the rocks climbing up to the plateau. 

Now it is mostly smooth and graded.  And none of the crowds for which this track has become so famous. We only had a few hardy souls braving the weather.  We set of at a steady pace up the hill with short stops for photos and water.  At South Crater we needed another layer of clothing as there was a strong chill factor in the wind.  Red Crater loomed ahead of us with a light covering of snow. 

Part way up we stopped briefly for another layer of clothing.  It was possible to climb up on the exposed rock and avoid the icy snow on parts of the track.  More height and more wind.  But what a dramatic landscape. The drama of the gash in the earth that is Red Crater always amazes me.  Add in the wind and the cold and the mist ….. and you have the mountain showing its winter character.  Just below Red Crater we hunkered down out of the wind for a little food and drink. 

Then the fun run down the loose dirt to the Emerald Lakes. On past Blue Lake and down to the site of the old Ketetahi Hut for a late lunch. We contacted the shuttle firm and got a ride home shortly after 3.00pm. Our trip had taken 6.5 hours plus half an hour for lunch.  What a great winter adventure. Our thanks to Peter for leading our trip, and many thanks to Roz for organising our weekend.

Roger