Hi,
Last week was half term here in NZ.. Were in the middle of winter but the weather was forecast to be excellent so I took the week off work and headed down to the Central Plateau Here in NZs North Island for a few days tramping with my children..
At this time of year all roads lead to the mountains in NZ
The aim was to have a couple of 2 day walks staying in a backcountry hut overnight. My children are both 7 ( yep we were blessed with Twins) so the days were not going to be long distance wise.
Most of the Huts in the Alpine region feature a wood burner and a supply of cut dry wood and an axe for splitting so having a warm dry spot to sleep in was important for us.
Our first walk took us from Whakapapa village at the base of Mt Ruapehu to Whakapapaiti Hut via a well defined track along the Whakapapa Iti Valley.
At the elevation we were walking at there was some patchy snow and ice / frosy but nothing really serious. The path passes through montane bush and alpine medows. Its great country and perfect on a winters day...
The ground is heavily frozen with a significant frost...
We stopped frequently for some nutty of one form or another which is fair enough...
The children were carrying just the basics a sleeping bag waterproofs and spare clothes and some lollies.
Here I am with the rest of the kit and the all important food bag..
The day progressed well but a little slower than normal which was fine we crossed the river a few times ....
And finally made it to the hut for dinner a fire a game of draughts and some well deserved rest...
Here is a shot of the interior of WhakapapaIti hut just before we left the next day. We prepped the fire with some tinder and kindling so the next visitor could get the fire going....
The troops were happy to get going...
Thats the whakapapa side of Ruapehu on the skyline....
We walked up hill to a ridgeline that opened out onto what is known as Scoria flat passing some frozen terrain on the way...
On the ridge line we stopped for a brew made with the trusty coleman Peak 1 stove a very good bit of kit if you use the right fuel....
And then down to the road and back to Whakapapa village and the car... 2 good days...
However after a Chinese parliament with the children we decided that another hut would be a good thing so we headed around the mountain by road to Ohakune and after stocking up at the supermarket with food and essential supplies. We Found ourselves walking into Blyth Hut which is situated at about 1380m or just below the snow line...
Numerous stops abounded but with a view like this its worth it...
As it was a bit higher we got the full winter in the forest effect... Or Narnia as the troops called it...
Finally the Hut....
And the familiar hut routine of getting the fire lit....
Getting tea cooked... ( Butter chicken and rice cooked stove top style)
And writing up a diary for the troops...
Of course there is more but suffice it to say we all had a great time. Getting Children out into wild places is very important and if done with care and safety you reap the rewards as a parent...
Hope you like the pictures..
Cheers
John
Last week was half term here in NZ.. Were in the middle of winter but the weather was forecast to be excellent so I took the week off work and headed down to the Central Plateau Here in NZs North Island for a few days tramping with my children..
At this time of year all roads lead to the mountains in NZ
The aim was to have a couple of 2 day walks staying in a backcountry hut overnight. My children are both 7 ( yep we were blessed with Twins) so the days were not going to be long distance wise.
Most of the Huts in the Alpine region feature a wood burner and a supply of cut dry wood and an axe for splitting so having a warm dry spot to sleep in was important for us.
Our first walk took us from Whakapapa village at the base of Mt Ruapehu to Whakapapaiti Hut via a well defined track along the Whakapapa Iti Valley.
At the elevation we were walking at there was some patchy snow and ice / frosy but nothing really serious. The path passes through montane bush and alpine medows. Its great country and perfect on a winters day...
The ground is heavily frozen with a significant frost...
We stopped frequently for some nutty of one form or another which is fair enough...
The children were carrying just the basics a sleeping bag waterproofs and spare clothes and some lollies.
Here I am with the rest of the kit and the all important food bag..
The day progressed well but a little slower than normal which was fine we crossed the river a few times ....
And finally made it to the hut for dinner a fire a game of draughts and some well deserved rest...
Here is a shot of the interior of WhakapapaIti hut just before we left the next day. We prepped the fire with some tinder and kindling so the next visitor could get the fire going....
The troops were happy to get going...
Thats the whakapapa side of Ruapehu on the skyline....
We walked up hill to a ridgeline that opened out onto what is known as Scoria flat passing some frozen terrain on the way...
On the ridge line we stopped for a brew made with the trusty coleman Peak 1 stove a very good bit of kit if you use the right fuel....
And then down to the road and back to Whakapapa village and the car... 2 good days...
However after a Chinese parliament with the children we decided that another hut would be a good thing so we headed around the mountain by road to Ohakune and after stocking up at the supermarket with food and essential supplies. We Found ourselves walking into Blyth Hut which is situated at about 1380m or just below the snow line...
Numerous stops abounded but with a view like this its worth it...
As it was a bit higher we got the full winter in the forest effect... Or Narnia as the troops called it...
Finally the Hut....
And the familiar hut routine of getting the fire lit....
Getting tea cooked... ( Butter chicken and rice cooked stove top style)
And writing up a diary for the troops...
Of course there is more but suffice it to say we all had a great time. Getting Children out into wild places is very important and if done with care and safety you reap the rewards as a parent...
Hope you like the pictures..
Cheers
John
Thanks for sharing it
