Whakapapa weekend, July 26–28 2024. A big weekend for Wellington Section, with three separate trips and a snowcraft course all based in Whakapapa. About 45 people were distributed across the NZAC, MTSC and WTMC lodges.
Our original plan was to complete the Pinnacles traverse, but the lack of snow convinced us to change plans and tackle the south face of Te Heu Heu.
The group arrived at Ruapehu Hut late Friday after a 90-minute walk from the car park in darkness. Saturday morning brought an early start to the summit plateau with ideal conditions — a fine, still day with firm snow and minimal ice. Four climbing pairs took different routes ascending the face, and the team had sufficient time to climb Te Heu Heu’s south face twice.
We then spent Sunday mixed climbing in gullies on the Pinnacles Ridge, an easy half-hour walk from Ruapehu Hut.
