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