Saturday dawned a clear and beautiful morning.  First up, after a hearty breakfast, was a theory instruction session from our instructors.  Snow craft techniques were covered with an emphasis on the dangers of avalanches.  Later that morning we split into three groups led by our learned instructors John Wilson, Peter Burgess & Alan Wickens and we headed out onto the slopes to put theory to practice.   

 
The remainder of the day was spent cutting steps, throwing ourselves down slopes and gaining more and more confidence with crampons and axe.  

Saturday evening was spent huddled over the radio and cheering on the Chiefs!

Sunday morning was another cracker. We were up and away by 8.00am and headed off in one group to climb Ruapehu.   Up via the Whakapapa Valley with John W leading the way, and Alan W keeping an eye on the rear.  The day was clear and sunny and layers of clothing were regularly shed on the way up.  In spite of the range of ages, fitness and experience we all made the dome shelter together in time for lunch.  Needless to say, the views from the top were spectacular.

After lunch we split into two groups, Alan W taking one group back down a route via the Whakapapa Glacier, while John W led the second group across the summit plateau, up to Te Heu Heu and then down the Te Heu Heu Valley.   John W’s group hitched a ride down on the chairlift and both groups arrived back at the hut around 4.00pm.
A fantastic weekend for all.  Thanks to John Davies for the excellent organisation and superb catering.  Thanks to the instructors - the fact that we all made it to the top was no doubt due to the confidence they instilled during the instruction sessions.  By weekends' end, all agreed that this trip was one out of the bag, perfect weather, great food, accommodation and good company.

Club instructors were John Wilson, Peter Burgess & Alan Wickens.  The 11 “learners” Chris Kay, John Davies, Thomas Johnson, John Grace, Mike Barker, Geoff Hustler, Wendy Bagaley, Dafney Robberts, Lisa Emerich, Varvara Vetrova & Doug Pagel.