Mt Tongariro

[Citizen Gold]

Hey all,

I'm about to start the North Island (Welly to the Cape) in September.  Have secured funding for the second half. :)

Saw this on Stuff this morning though;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7426862/Mt-Tongariro-erupts-for-first-time-in-over-100-years

Anyone have thoughts on how this will impact the trail?

Cheers,
Gold
Walking for Christchurch
http://intentionallyhomeless.org/

[Roy Britten]

On 7 August 2012 09:16, Citizen Gold <go...@freelancers.net.nz> wrote:
> I'm about to start the North Island (Welly to the Cape) in September. Have
> secured funding for the second half. :)

Excellent!

> Saw this on Stuff this morning though;
> http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7426862/Mt-Tongariro-erupts-for-first-time-in-over-100-years
>
> Anyone have thoughts on how this will impact the trail?

I was living and tramping in the area around the time of the Ruapehu
eruptions. So long as the activity stops by the time you get up there,
the tracks (including hopefully the Tongariro Crossing) should reopen
pretty quickly. However, expect water supplies to be severely
affected. Huts will probably have their water tanks disconnected for
some time (they get contaminated by the ash) and streams will probably
be undrinkable. Carry plenty -- a couple of days walking over
undulating terrain without access to water is no fun at all, believe
me.

The ash is *very* abrasive and fine (can apparently get under contact
lenses) and mildly acid. Carry a couple of good quality dust masks or
be prepared to improvise. In heavy ash falls, urinating on a
handkerchief can provide a workable emergency mask. Try to keep the
ash out of your socks, too.

HTH,
Roy.

[Citizen Gold]

On Tuesday, August 7, 2012 12:19:33 PM UTC+12, Roy Britten wrote:

On 7 August 2012 09:16, Citizen Gold <go...@freelancers.net.nz> wrote:
> I'm about to start the North Island (Welly to the Cape) in September.  Have
> secured funding for the second half. :)

Excellent!

Still looking for a little more, but have more than enough to feel confident starting. :)

> Saw this on Stuff this morning though;
> http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7426862/Mt-Tongariro-erupts-for-first-time-in-over-100-years
>
> Anyone have thoughts on how this will impact the trail?

I was living and tramping in the area around the time of the Ruapehu
eruptions. So long as the activity stops by the time you get up there,
the tracks (including hopefully the Tongariro Crossing) should reopen
pretty quickly. However, expect water supplies to be severely
affected. Huts will probably have their water tanks disconnected for
some time (they get contaminated by the ash) and streams will probably
be undrinkable. Carry plenty -- a couple of days walking over
undulating terrain without access to water is no fun at all, believe
me.

The ash is *very* abrasive and fine (can apparently get under contact
lenses) and mildly acid. Carry a couple of good quality dust masks or
be prepared to improvise. In heavy ash falls, urinating on a
handkerchief can provide a workable emergency mask. Try to keep the
ash out of your socks, too.

All good advice.

For the sake of safety though, and not risking potentially screwing up gear etc I'm thinking if things don't settle down quick I may cut across Oio 1 Rd to Owhango.  There looks to be several trails through that area from looking at the panaramio layer on Google Earth..  Will need to hit DOC and see what's there.

This is of course open to daily reassessment. :)