Ruapehu Tramp

Just got home from a two day tramp up Mount Ruapehu. Ruapehu is a volcano that last erupted in 1996 causing huge amounts of damage closing the ski season that year due to constant eruptions of volcanic ash and rumbles into the area. We did not reach close to the top of the mountain but the trip is definetly on my list of mountains to climb. The volcano is predicted to erupt again soon as from the last eruption the lahar is blocking the crater. The scientists are predicting that Ruapehu will erupt again soon!

I headed out with 6 students on a Duke of Ed tramp and we tramped up the mountain to a small hut. I am learning different terms and learning the correct fashion that must be worn while out on a tramp. For starters tramping is what we would know as hiking. And in good ol' kiwi hiking, it is essential that you wear thermals underneath relatively short shorts and knee high possum and sheep woven socks. When I say thermals I mean bright striped green and pink long johns and to top it all off a a good solid pair of tramping boots. For most year 10 girls it is essential to have a good selection of one hit wonders to sing a long to while they scale the side of the mountain and when in doubt and Miley Cyrus just isnt enough for one afternoon some good ol' traditional Nga Tawa Chapel Hyms. (which I might add they enjoy taking a " piss out of") It was an awesome tramp as we headed out of Whakapapa Village (pronounced " F-u - k - apapa " which the girls really enjoy saying because they feel totally "bad ass" ) and tramped down across desert sand and Ruapehu looming over us. It was hard to believe that only 4 months prior to our tramp 4 feet of snow would have covered the now desert sand that we walked on. Our tramping guide told me that he had taken a winter tramp along the same route and they had gotten passed by snowboarders and skiers coming down the mountain. I cant wait to come back in the winter and board down the mountain. A totally different experience from the harsh sun and volcanic rock that we crossed. We stayed the night in a small cabin at the foot of the mountain before carrying on early next morning on our way out. The views here in New Zealand always seem to amaze me as it is always changing. In one day I traveled from desert sand that was backdropped by a snow capped volcano, took a dive in the thermal heated pools in beautiful Lake Taupo and walked by bubbling mud bathes that steamed and squirt! New Zealand really does have it all!

I am now preparing for the Tongariro Crossing which is a 7 hour tramp across the range crossing over lush green forests and emerald lakes surrounded by volcanic activity. This tramp is known as the best walk in New Zealand and can end ( if one choses) - which I am! - at the top of the crater of the volcano. Pretty incredible. Planning to get in a lot more tramps as there is so much to see and do! It was an awesome tramp and I cant wait to set out on another next weekend.

Alls well in N.Z
Month till Christmas!!
Em

Deck the Halls

As the countdown continues till Christmas and the girls continue to get more and more out of controll as they finish up their end of term exams I still sit here waiting for the Christmas feeling to hit me. Walking by the stores in Marton and the local shopping mall down the highway the stores have decorated their windows and the shoppers come out in larger masses yet the feeling of Christmas is still to hit! Maybe its the fact that I have been swimming outside in November, not at home working retail, my Mom isnt blaring out the Christmas carols over the speakers or the piano and there definetly isnt any christmas cookies to be snitched out of the freezer! Yet the days are being counted until Christmas eve so tis the season to deck thy halls!

I just returned this past weekend from running a relay team event around Mt. Taranaki about two hours north of Marton in New Plymouth! It was a great weekend and a great run. I ran a total of 14 km of the 150 km route and had an amazing time. The views were beautiful as we ran around the mountain stopping in little small towns while we picked up our runners. The mountain is one of the most perfectly formed non active volcanoes in New Zealand. Our first runner hit the pavement at 2:30 in the morning!!!! I woke up for 4 am after a little of a late night to run that morning at 6:30! I was happy to be running by farm fields and the mountain on my left. A rather refreshing and energising way to greet the morning!

I am headed out on a tramp this coming weekend with our Duke of Ed girls and we are tramping up the sister mountain of Taranaki called Rotopehue ( legend has it that Taranaki was naughty and got sent away from Rotopehue and that is why they are so far apart now) Hopefully the rain will hold off as we are doing A LOT of walking and tenting. Im always being reminded to wear my sun hat and sunscreen as the New Zealand sun is so much harsher here than back home. Burning can occur in the first 10 minutes because New Zealand has a hole above them in the ozone! Im trying to keep covered up.. but being Canadian and craving a good tan.. the odd basking in the sun does occur...

Hoping the holiday season is finding everyone well as we all make the trip to see family. Not missing the snow.. :)

Em