Summer in the Tongariro Taupo Region

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 9 (Supplement)

Summer in the Tongariro Taupo Region

Experience the delights and treasures of Tongariro National Park, Kaimanawa Forest Park, Tongariro Forest, the Reserves of Lake Taupo through the Department of Conservation' s guided trips. DoC has organised a wide range of guided activities, high and low, easy and strenuous to satisfy all abilities. Discover the fascinating underground life in a cave, feel the magnificence of our forests, share in the excitement of scaling a volcanic peak, try heli-hiking or heli-biking, find glimpses of our past. Activities leave from the DoC Visitor Centres in Taupo, Turangi, Whakapapa and Ohakune. Bring your friends, lunch and suitable clothing. Taking care Many trips are at high altitude. Tongariro weather is notoriously changeable so be prepared for the worst. Always carry a raincoat and warm clothing. Sturdy footwear is necessary for most tracks and boots are essential above the snow-line. If you are adequately equipped, activities will be enjoyable and satisfying, otherwise they can be unpleasant and risky. Wool, polyester fibre-pile and polypropylene are best for clothing. Cotton is useless when wet. Cheek that your parka is waterproof. Many fabrics such as uncoated nylon are only wind-proof. Crater Lake trips are in snow and you

will need good quality sun-glasses and leather tramping boots and sun-screen. Handy extras include a camera, binoculars, magnifying lens, maps, field guide publicationsrand some scroggin or trail mix for energy. The organisers reserve the right to exclude from any activity any person not adequately prepared or equipped for the conditions that may be encountered. Reservations & symbols When there is a restriction on numbers the activity is identified in the programme with this symbol %. Other symbols: ♦, take lunch & drink; O, morning trip; • full day; . □evening. It is essential to book many trips in advance. Reservations can be made any time during opening hours and are accepted from 30 November. Book at the centre from which the trip departs. Activity Fees There is a fee for most activities. In most cases it does riot cover transport or refreshments. Grades Grade 1 is easiest, suitable for all ages, no difficulty. Grade 2: Easy, all ages except toddlers. Grade 3: Moderate, average fitness and reasonable health. Grade 4: Extending, will be tiring, need average fitness/health. Grade 5 : Strenuous, need above average fitness/health.