MT TARANAKI (SNOW HIKE)

WELCOME EVERYONE
Join us for a walk up Mt Taranaki on snow! This is for people who are experienced walking on snow and have practiced self arrest.

FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER
11:00am Leave Auckland
5:00pm Arrive at North Egmont Visitor Centre on Mt Taranaki. Park below The Camphouse. Walk to Maketawa Hut (90 minutes). DOC says - "There are several unbridged stream crossings on this circuit. They are generally straightforward to cross, but will rise rapidly with heavy rain and may become impassable".
7:00pm Arrive at Maketawa Hut.

SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER
5:00am Begin walking up (bring headlights).
11:00pm Arrive at the summit.
12:00pm Begin walk down to Maketawa Hut.
6:00pm Arrive at Maketawa Hut. Driving to Auckland on Saturday if safe to do so.

SUNDAY 13TH OCTOBER
Walk 90 minutes to North Egmont Visitor Centre. Drive home.
If conditions are not suitable on Saturday, but are suitable on Sunday, let's consider walking up on Sunday instead.

HUT COSTS
Maketawa Hut - buy two Serviced Hut Ticket (green $25 each) or free if you have a Backcountry Hut Pass.

GEAR
Helmet.
Thermal socks (e.g. wool).
Winter boots.
Crampons (test they fit the boots).
Ice Axe (reaches ankle when stand up straight).
Umbilical leash or rope to stop dropped ice axe sliding away.
No cotton.
No jeans.
3 or 4 warm-when-wet breathable layers (e.g. merino tee shirt, merino jumper, puffy synthetic-filled jacket).
Rain jacket.
Rain pants.
Winter gloves and liner.
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm.
Headlight.
Sleeping bag.
Enough food and water.

OTHER GEAR IDEAS
Gaiters.
Earplugs for snorers.
Buff.
Leash for phone.
Stove, pot.
Air mattress (in case others claim the beds).

EMERGENCY GEAR IDEAS
Emergency blanket/bag/shelter.
Basic first aid.
Mobile phone.
Personal locator beacon.

GETTING THERE
Use the comments section below to ask for a lift or offer a lift.
If 1 passenger, suggest give driver $80.
2 passengers, $70 each.
3 passengers, $60 each.

WEATHER
If avalanche risk on our aspect is considerable or greater, I will not go.
If avalanche risk is considerable on North side but South side is safer, let's consider that instead.
Taranaki volcanic alert level is zero as of 10 September 2024.

BEST PRACTICE
Your safety is your responsibility.
Tell someone your plans.
We will stay together.