Just as we got to the Turoa ski field on the south western side of the mountain, it started raining/sleeting. After sitting inside for a bit it cleared up enough to head out onto the beginner slope, the only one open! Unfortunately all the snow that Helen saw up here last weekend has been obliterated by the warm northerly!
After lasting a couple hours with Tim struggling to get used to kick turns and ascending slopes with the touring skis and getting throroughly wet, we headed down to Ohakune where we managed to dry off a bit in the sun before driving round to Whakapapa on the north west side of the mountain for the 1.5 hour walk up to the hut.We arrived just before dark in very low visibility. The next morning however the skies had cleared and we headed out with fading starry skies and the sun rising from behind the now visible Pinnacle Ridge.
Looking north from the hut.
Looking back south at The Ruapehu Hut, cloud still hanging around on the upper reaches of the hill.
Approaching the Pinnacles through the unopened ski field.
Heading up the lower reaches of Number 2 Gully. A bit further on there was a distinctive smell of sulphur, a reminder of climbing on a still active volcanco (that is due an erruption).
Looking across to the familiar conical Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom).
After topping out the gully, we started traversing the narrow ridge up towards First Pinnacle. Looking back across to Second Pinnacle.
As we descended the wind picked up, the rain started and we were pretty wet by the time we made it back down to the Cafe. First Pinnacle is the fourth pointy bit from the left. The rather bare-of-ice Pink Floyd Buttress on the far right.
Looking north from the hut.
Looking back south at The Ruapehu Hut, cloud still hanging around on the upper reaches of the hill.
Approaching the Pinnacles through the unopened ski field.
Heading up the lower reaches of Number 2 Gully. A bit further on there was a distinctive smell of sulphur, a reminder of climbing on a still active volcanco (that is due an erruption).
Looking across to the familiar conical Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom).
After topping out the gully, we started traversing the narrow ridge up towards First Pinnacle. Looking back across to Second Pinnacle.
As we descended the wind picked up, the rain started and we were pretty wet by the time we made it back down to the Cafe. First Pinnacle is the fourth pointy bit from the left. The rather bare-of-ice Pink Floyd Buttress on the far right.We've so far managed more winter climbing than you'd expect to get done in North Wales in a whole season and the season here hasn't really kicked off yet! Hope a bit more snow arrives before the ski fields are due to open properly in a few weeks.
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