Poor man's Mt Cook Skiing off the top of the North Island
Video footage of this trip exists, and I will pay good coin to ensure it never sees the light of day.
Video footage of this trip exists, and I will pay good coin to ensure it never sees the light of day.
Take two ice axes, a rope, some rack and a ski touring setup, and you have the ingredients for a frivolous day out on the magical maunga.
Take one group of North Island ski tourers, add the Craigieburn Range, and stir briskly.
My ski club mates call it Sweary Pants Gully. There's a good reason for that.
A big day out on the east side of Ruapehu, with plenty of moments of 'will it go?' and 'holy smokes, it does'.
Sometimes the back country terrain behind the ski field can get a few groups at once. Local Craigieburn Ski Guide Anna Keeling offers some thoughts and advice on how to avoid putting each other at risk as you enjoy your foray from the safety of the ski field.
Here we were, about to ski off a named summit on the main divide; where else in NZ can you do that without a helicopter, in a day trip?
The west coast neve's are a magical ski touring destination. Whilst there's plenty of scope for very intense lines, there's also plenty of mellow terrain for when the snow isn't quite in condition. Regardless of the skiing, it is an incredible place to visit.
Forget Bill English's 'walk-run', Emily Forne explains how to 'ski-tramp', on Poseidon Peak