Page 7 Advertisements Column 1

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 418, 24 December 1991, Page 7

""

Learn about the traditional process of cooking in a hole in the ground and meet our staff. The venue will be near the ChateauGolfCoursein Whakapapa Village. Reservations are essential forthis popular event. Tickets must be paid for and collected before 5.00pm on Friday 3 January. Admission (includesfood) $14.00 Adults, $7.00 Children. HELIBIKE Grade 3 §^» •S(3 Fly in by helicopter from Owhango to the middle of Tongariro Forest. Bicycle outon old loggingtrails viathe Wanganui River headwaters. Finish at Owhango. Each rider must be self-contained and supply mountain bike, tool-kit, helmet and food. Those interested in this exciting activity must reserve, pay for, and collect tickets at least one day in advance at the Whakapapa Visitor Centre, and participants are asked to be at Owhango by 9.00am. MAKATOTE GORGE FALLS Grade 3 Come adventuring up this wild river into the depths of a beautiful forest. A good tripfor birdwatchers. We discover a wild gorge and visit a 23-metre high waterfall. Drive approx 45km. MANGATEPOPO HISTORY TRAIL Grade 3 #^(3 A diverse ramble through Mangatepopo Valley and over Pukekaikiore reliving the early human occupation and recentvolcanicevents. This is afavourite staff trip! Drive approx 35 km. NGAURUHOE/TONGARIRO ^ SUMMITS Grade 5 ^ From the end of Mangatepopo Road we climb to South Crater, then split up to ascend tothe summit of Ngauruhoe, or -climb via Red Crater to Tongariro summit. We meet again at Mangatepopo Road end. Gloves are essential protection when descending Ngauruhoe. Drive approx 35km. OHINETONGA SCENIC RESERVE Grade 2^) ^(3 This is a particularly beautiful reserve right on the banks of the Whakapapa River. The circuit track includes an unusual lagoon area and brings us back to a great swimming hole and picnic spot on the river bank. Drive approx 70km. ^ OKUPATA CAVES Grade 2 ^ f) We drive into Tongariro Forest to the cave entrance to explore an underground world of limestone and glow worms. Essential items:-lunch and drink, some old, warm clothes, gumboots or sandshoes, raincoat and torch. A really enjoyable trip including an optional visit to Pukehinau Caves. Drive approx 45 km on a rough road ROCKCLIMBING Grade 2 (t ^(3 A fun day for the whole family. Watch a demonstration of climbing and learn the basics under supervision. Have a go yourself on a range of climbs at Happy Valley and MeadsWall. Great for children 7 years and older. Bring your own harness if you have one. Equipment provided. Drive approx 15 km. SADDLE CONE Grade 4 #^(3 This walk takes us away from tracks to a less visited area of the park. We explore a small volcanic cone and experience the bustle and commotion of a gull colony just about as far away from the sea as it could be! SEARCH AND RESCUE OPENDAY Grade 1 1.00pm Start K3 Come along to learn about the equipment and techniques used in Alpine Search and Rescue. Watch demonstrations .of some of the specialised rescue and medical equipment used by the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation. TAPAPAKURUA FALLS Grade 3 ^ Explore a little known track in Erua Forest near National ParkTownship. The track commencesfrom Fishers Road and descends to the base of the falls where there is a cool and shady spot ideal for a picnic and swim. Good views on the way. The return ascent is steep and slippery. The trip involves 3 1/2-4hrs walking. Drive approx 35km. TIMBER TRAILS Grade 3 ^ #^(3 We visit the Tongariro Forest near Owhango to ramble to

tramlines and hear the old tales of bushmen. Billy tea at lunch nearthe spectacular waterfall. Parts of the track are steep and slippery. Drive approx 70km. TONGARIRO CROSSING Grade 4 # ^(3 From the end of Mangatepopo Road we follow the track to the head of the valley and across South Crater to active Red Crater, the highest point. We pass the Emerald and Blue lakes and rest at Ketetahi Hot Springs before descending through tussocklands and totara forest to the Ketetahi carpark. Approx. 7 hours walking. Transport included in ticket price $18.00 Adult, $9.00 Children. EARLY DAYS ON THE ^ DESERT ROAD Grade 2 f - ^(j Within a whistle stop of the Desert Road and its vast volume of traffic, hidden amid the scrub and forest, lies a forgotten lifestyle. An old coaching stable, an accommodation house and the remains of an historic sheep farm are part of an era before the days of modern transport. FIRE PATROL Grade 2 ) Spend afew hours in afour-wheel-drive vehicle assisting us check fire breaks, water points and little used roads. Find out about fire fighting and take in some great views in remote locations. FOREST EXPERIENCE Grade 1 C* Discover a forest you never knew, using yourself, your senses and one ortwo simple props. When did you last hug a tree? Look at a forest from an ant's viewpoint? Put your total trust in a companion's advice? This activity is great fun and ideal for the whole family. LIVING FOREST Grade 2 'O An interesting stroll through towering matai, rimu and red beech trees, discovering something of the ecology and strueture of these trees, ferns and the animals that inhabit them. Drive approx 8 km. MOUNT PIHANGA Grade 4 #^(3 Climb up the forest-covered northern slopes of Mount Pihanga and onto the open tops for extensive views of Lake Taupo, Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Forest Park. A number of other programme walks can be seen from this viewpoint. A steady three hour climb on unformed track with a steepish descent. MOUNT URCHIN Grade 3 # ^ #^(3 A climbthroughthe range ofvegetation typesfrom lowland to alpine brings us to the open tops where we take in spectacular views and discuss the unique and beautiful alpine plants of the area. NGAPUKETURUA Grade 4 # ^(3 A long walk rewarded by outstanding views across the alpine tops. We climb up through various beech forest zones and study aspects of the forest ecosystems on the way. An opportunity to discoverthe mysteriousvegetable caterpillar. OKUPATA CAVES Grade 2 ® I ^(3 Come with us on a trip into an underground world of limestone and glow-worms. For this subterranean exploration you will need to bring some old clothes, gumboots, sandshoes, a torch and a raincoat. A bus will transport the keen cavers most of the way and then it is a half hour walk to the caves. We don't guarantee Gollums or hobbits, but there are plenty of glow-worms RANGIPO DESERT Grade 3 #^(3 The bleak desert landscape of Rangipo is in stark contrast to all other walks on the programme. From the Tukino access road the walk crosses over the lower slopes of Mt Ruapehu to the Whangaehu River, notorious for its part in the 1 953 Tangiwai disaster. We follow this dramatic river through a gorge before returning over the desert to the road. RARE PLANTS ^ AND WILD HORSES Grade 1 ^ WWj Aunique opportunity tojourney into ArmyDefence Reserve

and visit some very rare plants and special landscapes within the Moawhango Ecological Region. A chance also to see individualsfrom the much talked about Kaimanawa wildhorseherd. Meet atnorth entrance to Waiouru Military Camp at0900 hours. Wethankthe ArmyTraining Group Waiouru for their co-operation and support. Numbers limited, please book at DOC office.Drive approx. 50km. #Due to the need to cross private land an access fee will be charged for these trips. RUAPEHU ICEAGE Grade 3 ♦ ^(3 See glacial features formed during the last lce Age only five kilometres from the Desert Road. We descend from the Tukino Mountain Road into a large glaciated valley scraped out by the huge ancestor of the Mangatoetoenui Glacier, before crossing to the Waihohonu Track. A five hour mostly downhill walk with plenty of stops. TAURANGA-TAUPO WATERFALL Grade 4 An exciting trip through untracked beech and podocarp foresttotheseldom visited 30 metrehighTauranga-Taupo Waterfall. Although afairly full day (five hours' walk) trip this offers exciting features and an opportunity for a relaxed lunch and a swim. TAUREWA WALK Grade 1 C ^(3 Tongariro Conservation Park has a history of intensive logging. A new track meanders through the once thriving Taurewa Mill village and on through swamp and scrtib to the unique remnant bush. A chance to study the immense variety of forest life in the Central North Island. TONGARIRO CROSSING Grade 4 From Mangetepopo Road end we follow the track to the head of the valley and across South Crater to active Red Crater, the highest point. We pass the Emerald and Blue Lakes and rest at Ketetahi Hot Springs before descending through tussocklands andtotaraforestto Ketetahi carpark. Transport included in ticket price $18.00 Adult. $9.00 Children. Approx. 7 hours walking. TONGARIRO NATIONAL ^ TROUT CENTRE Grade 1 (J Come on a fully guided tour of the Tongariro National T rout Centre where we will look at the history of the centre and the varied and interesting work and research carried out there. Meet at 1 .00pm at the centre, signposted 5km south of Turangi on SH1 . UMUKARIKARI Grade 4 # ^ #^(3 Climbing steadily through changing beech forest we reach the tops for lunch and explore alpine herbfields where the more energetic can go on a little way to find edelweiss f lowers. After soaking up the sun and views we return via the same route. WAIMARINO PA Grade 3 C Afascinating scramblethrough untracked giant podocarp forest to an old fortified pa site where we look at the use made of the forest by the early Maori people. WAIPAKIHI HELIHIKE Grade 4 ^ ® ^(3 A rare opportunity to fly by helicopterfrom the Desert Road upthe beautiful Waipakihi Valley inthe Kaimanawa Forest Park and retrace one's progress onfoot down the Waipakihi Those interested in this exciting activity must reserve and pay at least one day in advance atthe Turangi DOC office, and participants are asked to be at the Waipakihi Road end by 8.30am. Collect your tickets prior to this activity. You will be crossing the river many times during the journey so dress appropriately and carry a spare jersey or warm jacket. Cost of $45.00 per person includes helicopter and activity fee. Concession passes will not apply. The helihike is kindly sponsored by Lakeland Helicopters Ltd, Taupo. Drive approx 40km. WHAT'S IN A STREAM? Grade 1 v W Here is a chance to see just what lives in small mountain streams. Armed with sieves, nets, containers and lenses we will explore pools and rapids to find out more about stream dwelling creatures.

CRATER LAKES DAILY The Department of Conservation and Whakapapa Skifield have joined forces to run daily guided trips to Crater Lake on the magic mountain, Ruapehu! T ake the chairlift ride to 2000m altitude, then walk up Restf ul Ridge to Dome Shelter at 2672m to view Crater Lake and the four peaks of Ruapehu. Hear stories of the areas history while you take in the unique vistas of lava, ash, ice and crevasses surrounding the active lake. On the return journey an exhilarating sliding descent can be made down the Whakapapanui Glacier. The chairlifts will run you back to Top o the Bruce at the end of your day on the mountain. Equipment Essential items for this six-hour trip are: vUw Sturdy tramping boots (not runners or gumboots) Kr xK Waterproof parka and overtrousers w Warm trousers and top WHAKAPAPA. Dark sunglasses and sunscreen the mac.ic mountais Warm hat and gloves Lunch and drink Some of these items can be purchased at the Top o the Bruce and the Visitor Centre.

DIFFICULTY GRADES 1 EASIEST All ages, no difficulty 2 EASY Fine for all ages except toddlers 3 MODERATE Average fitness and reasonable health 4 EXTENDING Will be tiring, need average fitness 5 STRENUOUS Need above average fitness and health These grades are a meant as a guide only. Please check activity details with your trip leader prior to departure. SYMBOLS ^(3 Lunch and Drink needed c — Half Day Morning o — Half Day Afternoon Full Day Evening ^pl Reservation Essential Ruapehu Bulletin C