WHAKAPAPA ACTIVITIES

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 465, 8 December 1992, Page 20 (Supplement)

WHAKAPAPA ACTIVITIES

I Hangi \ Grade 1 # O Come along for a delicious outdoor meal at Whakapapa. Learn about the traditional process oi cooking in a hole in the ground and meet our staff. The venue will be near the Skotel in Whakapapa Village. Reservations are essential. Tickets must Turn to page 5

KEY TO SYMBOLS USED IN TRIP DESCRIPTIONS: □ Lunch & drink needed • Morning activity O Afternoon activity ■ Full day activity O Evening activity • Reservations Essential

From page 4 be collected prior to 5pm Wed 30 Dec. Cost (including food) $14 Adults, $7 Children. |jvl^atote^GeorgeiiFallsJ Grade 3 Come adventuring up this wild river into the depths of a beautiful forest. A good trip for birdwatchers. We discover a wild gorge and visit a 23 metre high waterfall. Drive 25 km one way. 1 Blue Ducks | Grade O A visit to the Whakapapa River, an important habitat of this nationally threatened species. Keen eyes are needed to spot these well camouflaged birds. Drive 15 km one way. Grade 2 • □ Join staff from Whakapapa and Taumarunui to visit Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve, a particularly beautiful reserve right on the banks of the Whakapapa River. A circuit track includes an unusual lagoon area and brings us back to a great river bank swimming hole and picnic spot. Drive 35 km one way. Saddle Cone Grade 4 ■ □ 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. L^^^^ForestJBirds^^^J Grade 2 □ • • Explore the intricate variety of life in the cool green forest. We visit the forest near Taurewa and Mangatepopo and discover the special habitats of different birds, plants and animals. Drive 17 km. ^^£au^oe^u^mjr^ Grade 5 # □ ■ From the end of Mangatepopo Road we climb to South Crater, then ascend to the summit of Ngauruhoe. Check

essential gear list. Putties/gaiters would be a definite advantage. Drive 17 km. Tongariro Summit Traverse Grade 3 □ I O • From the end of Mangatepopo Road we ascend to South Crater and the Red Crater. Here we branch off the main track and ascend to the Summit of Tongariro. Amazing views are the reward for this climb. The traverse continues along the summit ridge eventually dropping down the ridge parallel to Mangatepopo Valley and returning to the carpark. Drive 17 km one way. Grade 4 ■ • □ Fly in by helicopter from Owhango to the middle of Tongariro Forest. Bicycle out 18 km on old logging trails via the Whanganui River head-waters. Finish at Owhango. Each rider must be self-contained and supply mountain bike, helmet, eye protection and food. Bookings are essential and tickets must be collected the previous day. Minimum age 14 years. Meet at Owhango at 9am. Mangatepopo History Grade 3 □ ■ # A diverse ramble through Mangatepopo Valley and over Pukekaikiore reliving the early human occupation and recent volcanic events. This is a favourite staff trip! Drive 17 km one way. Whakapapaiti Waterfalls Grade 4 ■ □ From the skifield we visit the head of the Whakapapaiti Valley, exploring lava flows, waterfalls and alpine herbfields, including rare edelweiss. Retum via the Round-the-Mountain track to Scoria Flat. Drive 9 km. |__JRock-climbing__| Grade 2 □ • # Watch a demonstra-

tion of climbing and learn the basics under supervision. Have a go on a range of climbs at Happy Valley and Meads Wall. Great for kids 7 years and older but you must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a harness if you have one. Equipment provided. Drive 8 km. Search and Rescue Open Day Grade 1 O Learn about the equipment and techniques used in Alpine Search and Rescue. Watch a demo of some of the specialised rescue and medical equipment used by the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Qrganisation. ^Fores^xgerienc^^ Grade 1 • Discover a forest you never knew. Using your senses and one or two simple props This activity is great fun and ideal for the whole family. Drive 5 km each way. L_>Geolo^jFieldJW2__| Grade 2 □ • • We visit some of the interesting geological features of the volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park. An insight into the forces that have helped shape the park we see today, from Whakapapa Village to Mangatepopo. Drive 15 km one way. | ^M^in^Flowe^^^J Grade 3 □ • • Native orchids, large

golden buttercups, edelweiss and the harebell are some of the flowers to be seen bravely surviving the harsh alpine climate of Tongariro. We visit the alpine herb-fields of the Whakapapaiti. Drive 5 km one way. ^^^Okugata^Caves^^J Grade 2 □ • • We drive into Tongariro Forest to the cave entrance to explore an underground world of limestone and glow worms. Check essential items list and bring a torch. Drive 22 km on a rough road. ^J^ng^iro^Crossin^^ Grade 4 □ ■ # 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. "The finest one day walk in New Zealand" but you will need to walk for 7 hours. Transport included.