Museum tramp

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 429, 24 March 1992, Page 9

Museum tramp

BY

JO

HOWIE

Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum staff left behind their cosy workplace for a tramp over Mt Tongariro earlier this month. W02 Dave Fitzwater the group leader said the aim of the tramp was to introduce all members of the museum, civilian and military, to the Tongariro National Park so they could be familiar enough to pass on information to the public. "It was also to build unit morale and for the new staff to get to know

everyone. It was an adventure training exercise which introduced our staff to the local area," he said. Fitz, as he is known by, constructed a pretraining programme to prepare the less experienced trampers for the activity. The staff were divided into two parties, one starting from the west, of the park and the other from the east. They met at the Mangatepopo Hut for one night and spent the other night on the mountain. They were able to admire the Central Crater, Emerald

Lakes, Red Crater and climb Mount Ngauruhoe. Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions the first party had to bipass Mount Ngauruhoe. The civilian staff said the experience was a memorable one and were amazed at the breathtaking scenery. Some female civilians said they found it physically demanding. "We've never done anything like this before!" they said. Their favourite parts were the rest stops and they found the camping out an ordeal, but would do it again tomorrow.