'Moonlight' Tongariro Crossing – August 2008
Participants: Steven Beech, Martin Drapala, Steven, Cormac Flynn
The title of this report has to be one of the most misleading as the Tongariro Crossing was not undertaken on this trip and, while the moon was out on Sunday afternoon, one could hardly have said it was lighting the way. We left Auckland on Saturday afternoon under heavy rain and it was no better when we parked at the Mangatepopo Roadhead. The arduous walk into the Mangatepopo hut was dispensed with in well under a couple of hours. There wasn’t a mention of moonlight tramps when the bottle of rum was produced. 
A leisurely start on the Sunday morning was rewarded with breaking clouds and threats of sunshine. By the time the saddle was reached, the day was proving to be a fine one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t windy enough for Steven who lugged his kite-surfing kit in the hope of getting a few turns on the plateau. No matter. Kicked steps up the northern slopes of Ngauruhoe, viewed Brocken Spectre and wandered about the crater. Steven headed down on the skis, while the rest of us opted for the classier backside-glissade. A grand day in the hills.