This meet is for those looking to meet other climbers and is open to those at a beginner level and above looking to learn how to take incredible photos whilst exploring in the mountains.

Staying in National Park on Friday evening and overnight in the Mangatepopo Hut on Saturday. Food is to be organised by participants, options on the Friday night in the National Park village. There will be a theory night in Auckland on TBC.

There will be an in person catch up prior to the weekend on August 13th all participants must be able to attend this evening. Location to be arranged once all participants confirmed, but likely to be central location.

The photography plan for the weekend will be:

• A sunrise mission to Tama Lakes on Saturday followed by an overnight mission at Mangatepopo Hut.

• A potential sunrise shoot at the Emerald Pools on Sunday (weather permitting),

• And the option for astro photography on Saturday night.

• All plans are weather dependent, and may be changed according to conditions. Opportunity to have a photo editing session if the weather is poor.

All participants will need a DLSR/mirrorless camera to use for the weekend. A tripod, and spare batteries are encouraged too.

Mangatepopo Hut is first come first served, advised to bring a tent in case the hut is full on Saturday night, payment for the Mangatepopo Hut to be made by participants directly to DOC.

Sustainability will be a key focus for this weekend, Lori who is organising the weekend wants participants to think about their relationship with the landscapes they photograph. Not just as observers or takers, but as contributors to their regeneration.

Attendees are to make a $20 donation to Trees That Count who will plant native trees to offset carbon associated with this trip (approximately 0.4 tCO₂e per person) this will help protect the alpine environments we love to capture, and support snow for more trips in the future.

Location - https://npbp.co.nz/ and https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/huts/mangatepopo-hut/
Dates - 29th to 31st August.
Spots - 12
Meet Leaders - Lorietta Bahr and TBC.

No instruction will be given as a part of this weekend. NZAC have arranged accommodation, will set up a Whatsapp group to arrange travel, food and discuss plans, and have someone lead the organisation of the weekend. You are responsible for creating your own plans and activities for the weekend, ensure you are self-sufficient and note your intentions each day to the meet leaders.

Each meet has two organisers whose travel and accommodation costs are covered by the other participants. The costs for each meet include your accommodation costs, the stripe admin fee from taking your payment and the accommodation and travel costs of the two meet organisers divided by the number of participants. The Auckland NZAC aims to break even from the meets and doesn’t make a profit.

Cancelation Policy

Bad weather - Weather will be assessed from a week out from the meet and a final decision made on Tuesday evening prior to the weekend. If it’s deemed not appropriate to go ahead for the weekend participants will be refunded in full*.

Change of mind - Participants can change their mind and be refunded in full* up to a week out from the meet (This means that all change of mind cancellations need to happen by Friday at 5pm the Friday 1 week before the meet).

Sickness or last minute cancellation - Those who cancel within the week, either will be refunded in full* if NZAC can secure the refund for the spot or fill the spot with another club member, or, refunded 50% of the payment* should this not be able to happen.

*Refunds exclude payment processing fees of 5.5%

If you would like to help organise this meet and have your travel and accommodation costs covered, then email meets@aucklandclimber.org.nz and we will give you a voucher code to use to book.