3206 Tukino based Walks and Climbs  

Trip 3206                     Tukino based walks and climbs                                    25-27 October 

Over the long (Labour) weekend, we will be based at Tukino Alpine Sports Club lodge, at the Tukino skifield on the Desert Road side of Mount Ruapehu.  From their website …. “ Our lodge was built in 1976, and we reckon it’s a bit of a classic with its funky lines and super solid timber construction. The lodge offers a basic but comfortable standard of accommodation with a large kitchen and living area, four bunk rooms etc”. 

The plan is to travel to Tukino Friday night 24 October. The last bit of road to the skifield is a bit rough so 4WD’s may be utilised. Over the 3 days, we’ll look at doing as much exploration of the area as time and the weather allows. Being on the less windy side of Ruapehu should help in this regard. There’s scope from easy to hard walking, and snowcraft skills are needed to get up onto the heights.   

The fitter, more experienced people can climb up to the NZAC Whangaehu Hut and on up to the crater.  From the access road, moderate day tramps can be done to Waihohonu and Rangipo Huts, part of the Round the Mountain Track. From Waihohonu you can visit the old historic hut and Ohinepango Springs.