Tongariro Crossing - winter

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Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby dinna89 » Thu 02 Jun, 2016 2:52 pm

I'm heading to Wellington with my girlfriend from 25-29 June and thought the Tongariro Alpine Crossing looks like a decent side trip. Is going with one of the guided groups is a must, as opposed to hiking it by ourself? I've got experience hiking in snow but with snowshoes, never with crampons/ice axe.
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby wayno » Thu 02 Jun, 2016 3:41 pm

you really want experience with an ice axe and crampons. there are guided trips that will train you up and lend you the gear.
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby icefest » Thu 02 Jun, 2016 6:18 pm

wayno wrote:you really want experience with an ice axe and crampons. there are guided trips that will train you up and lend you the gear.

This.

Bad weather come quickly up there and the flat landscape will make navigation unpleasant.
Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful.
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby wayno » Fri 03 Jun, 2016 6:30 am

its snow poled, if you can navigate, its reasonably straight forward in bad visibility. ice can be the real problem
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby dinna89 » Fri 03 Jun, 2016 9:42 am

Cheers, I had a feeling that would be the answer. Any recommendations for a company to go with?
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby wayno » Fri 03 Jun, 2016 9:48 am

anyone approved by DOC as a guided walking company.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... findplaces
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby dinna89 » Tue 07 Jun, 2016 3:37 pm

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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby wayno » Tue 07 Jun, 2016 3:41 pm

DOC"s website omits that http://www.tongariroexpeditions.com/ also guide in winter
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby dinna89 » Tue 05 Jul, 2016 9:24 am

I didn't end up doing the crossing as the weather wasn't in my favour, but I met someone who did the crossing a few days prior. They had no problems, no need for crampons, there was very little snow.
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Re: Tongariro Crossing - winter

Postby wayno » Tue 05 Jul, 2016 9:30 am

the amount of snow can change rapidly in the colder months, and right through spring.
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