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Posted: 11 Jul 2011 22:44      quote | report

Snow gear is all packed and ready to be loaded. Unfortunately, being a teacher, I don't get to take random days off (cough cough) when the forecast is good. So I'm sort of happy if RAL take their time slowly working up the mountain getting trails open. Then there might be some stuff untrashed by the time I get up there on Monday! We're heading down on Sun, but with 2 babies on the back seat, I doubt I'll get down in time for a cheeky afternoon ride, and the missus wouldn't appreciate it if I did! Since she has generously decided that I can go up every day and she won't bother, I sort of need to keep her sweet!

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 23:17      quote | report

so on the metservice site when you look at the map it has Wkakapapa 14cm, Tukino 11cm and Turoa 66cm.. surely they didnt have 66cms today?!?!

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 23:30      quote | report

wasn't it supposed to be 70 according to some report?
bah! shortchanged on the day!

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 23:34      quote | report

can someone from the ohakune side make any sense of this? we usually feel it up here in the waikato if its snowing (it HAS been cold but 66cms?! - were not in Hokkaido now dr ropata)

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 23:48      quote | report

@ Jude - Whos the the guy with the bangin' technique in your pic? Apart from the howling can't stand up winds on Hut Flat today Whaka was getting Dumped on. Spring like snow, I could push my pole it's whole 1.2m length into the snow on the Rocky in one part. Was Thigh deep hiking a line infront of Rotorua ski club by car park 1. Bring on Friday.

Probably catch you tomorrow again Jude. Can't beat daily POW turns.

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 23:51      quote | report

is it actually powder? or wet/soggy snow? (i wouldnt complain either way, just curious and thankful we have a bit of a base developing)

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 0:00      quote | report

Well not really but i'm just stoked to be slashing turns and it would probably help if I could see if I am going uphill or downhill. Before this storm on those clear days I got a handfull of turns of faceshot material in the valley. The good thing is all this fell on a frozen solid base so it's going off. There is every condition you get. Infront of Rotorua Ski Club it was wet and heavy as it had got rained on yet on Olafs it was just mildly wet POW. But the other day took the cake, a sprinkling of wet on top but a good layer of dry stuff pouring out underneath. Pot luck but Im sure stoked to be laying turns on a 2 day cycle

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 0:01      quote | report

Had alot of rain fall in the last two hours and it's thumping at present....and it;s 3-4 degrees in the Park so go figure what it's doing from the base up

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 0:10      quote | report

Originally posted by: atros
All set for Friday! I'm tempted to try my new board? Do we still have many rocks sticking out at Whakas?

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 0:17      quote | report

Originally posted by: CCS
*edited 11 Jul 2011 20:51
(Edit: Not much has been open during this storm) so - I don't get why you think they are hiding something? when the lifts open they tell us?
...I am sure they are digging things out and setting things up. this weather hasn't quite ended. I hear it's puking down low at the mo

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 2:02      quote | report

But will I get to my predicted 2m base by Saturday? Remember I made that call before this system arrived. The moonman has a rival? Eweman!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 5:43      quote | report

Puked overnight (snow, not me on the gluwein :laugh. Serious digging to do. Deck and fire escapes this time as well.
@ Edgehi..oopps...sorry,EWEMAN - whose measurement are you going to take

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 6:36      quote | report

Poppa Middleton springs to mind
Or the mum off that 'Brittains fattest family' show.
I just can't decide.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 7:39      quote | report

^^ My money's on the fat lady
First light has revealed more snow than I thought. Light n' dry. Most rocks on Olafs now covered. Blowing a huge gale. Not looking forward to climbing up the ice-covered fire escapes. Could be more risk of me being blown off/slipping than a fire....
There is alot of work to do before they can get the place running. Ice over everything, then the avo work, digging my car out....

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 8:12      quote | report

Originally posted by: edgehi
But will I get to my predicted 2m base by Saturday? Remember I made that call before this system arrived. The moonman has a rival? Eweman!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 8:40      quote | report

@Jude,
Put down your shovel for a minute and pick up your camera pleeease? We need latest pics!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 8:51      quote | report

*edited 12 Jul 2011 09:35
I just think the reports should be more informative like it might mention it will take at least a morning if not a day to do the work required to open lifts (esp. upper mt) so don't rush up expecting them to just throw the switch on Friday. But I don't know I have never worked on the mt so am just guessing. I also understand there is nothing to open for during a storm. I, like us all are interested in their expectations after the storm. I reckon it will be all open for Saturday (I don't do weekends). Hope there is no storm/ice damage this is really testing the new pylons. Oh and speaking of communication what is happening with the high flyer?

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 9:00      quote | report

Jude you going?
Alpine Meadow Beginners -9:30am
Parklane Chair -On hold

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 9:05      quote | report

The issue is that they will start with a blank canvas. They had not begun to form t lines, access lanes, berms etc prior to this wee dusting, so there is a heap to do this time. I'm not expecting it will be easy.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 9:06      quote | report

SD... I am sure they do that, I am sure I have read it on the reports in the past (mention where work has to be done to get something open), but it's a bit far out at the mo(although it's getting closer all the time now, so I would expect to see more detail soon yeah)

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 9:14      quote | report

mmm often it seems RAL the only ones suprised by a fine day!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 9:36      quote | report

Some talk going around overheard from ops super that they do not have enough Cat Drivers this year, not sure which side that applies to guessing Whakapapa.
Staff no really looking forward to being thrown straight into school holidays without a bit of practice first. 5 Roadies at Whaka, no chain fitting, mostly new lifties and a lot of inexperiance to greet the customers.
Its going to be chaos this weekend!!! Especially without west being ready yet.
Turoa will be the place to be.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 9:44      quote | report

Yeah you guys are right. I guess another storm would undo lots of cat work too? Haven't seen through the webcams in days seems more like weeks, not much to see until the sun breaks through aye. I need a more patience, that is usually how I loose at poker too.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:06      quote | report

Are the cables on the T bars ?

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:25      quote | report

well my lower prediction of 1.2m has come and gone.

Remians to be seen weather my upper guess of 1.5m will come and go as well.

I'm hoping it does.....

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:34      quote | report

They need the tracks down first to pull the cables don't they?
Personally with a year missed I'll be simply practicing my meditation for the next couple of weeks until everything is sorted and the crowds are a little less concentrated
...mind you, once the web cams are clear (or Jude takes some more photos) the whole meditation thing might have to be replaced with tranquilizers to stop me going nuts!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:41      quote | report

What!?! Someone else got the job of wiping the ice off the Pinnacles web cam
Current status... sat waiting for a break in the clouds... waiting... not blinking... just waiting...

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:53      quote | report

T-bar cables were on ages ago when we were up there. Boxes even on some of them if you look back at pics on cams you will see that. (exl far west that is)

As stated by others lots of avo work and signage , roping off etc to be done before open to general public. Which cant be done in white out blizzard conds etc

Still to get to my upper snow guess of 1.75m

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:58      quote | report

forecasts indicating a strong sw for whaka on sat which can mean the upper field is on hold...tukino could be the answer to crowded fields this weekend...

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:18      quote | report

*edited 12 Jul 2011 12:19
Have had a busy morning digging. With a little help for the price of a bit of tucker. Puking - backdoor already filling in. There's been a bit of cat action on the RG throughout. Not expecting much to open in a hurry when the wx clears.
Back window...

Deck before....

After....

Need a voltaren, rum and a lie down now

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:32      quote | report

Jude, your photos make my day sitting at a desk almost bearable thanks heaps

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:32      quote | report

Now I have to take some rubbish down (will skiskin it).
Can't let Jedski have the only turns of the day

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:49      quote | report

@ Voltaren was thinking about Tukino as I was prepping the slow cooker for dinner tonight hmm....

@ Jude really you have cats up there in the park??

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 13:11      quote | report

Hrmrmrm do you think Tukino would need chains this weekend on a lifted Surf?

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 13:12      quote | report

@ Jude, thanks for the pics they just wot I needed.

@ Rob Rips, cats are just the start, this weekend its going to be a Zoo!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 13:53      quote | report

Hey Jude
Can you post a piccy of your cats?My friend would love to see them.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 14:06      quote | report

I'd call the Tukino peeps Roz, they will let ya know, guess it depends how much road clearing they had to do near the top?

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 14:09      quote | report

Your "freind" huh?

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 14:50      quote | report

Yeah,she`s a cat lover.
I have two Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 15:12      quote | report

Some more pics. Now I REALLY do need a voltaren.
Cats are nice in the slow cooker
Skiied all the way to the recycle shed

Something we didn't see last year - Nat Chair coated

There's a skidoo there somewhere???

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 15:19      quote | report

*DROOL*

I think we've all gone and lost it waiting to get up there and get into it this season. Check back in a week to see if people have some sense of sanity back!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 18:15      quote | report

^ well I have to say skating has kept me sane, if I had not taken it up I would be so itching to get up there, but concrete is no substitute for powder.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 18:19      quote | report

There's plenty of pow. I've shovelled enough of it today. Although there is a nasty icy layer lurking.

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 18:33      quote | report

Long time reader and finally signed up!! Thanks for all of the pics Jude!!

Just a quick question about this weekend. Apart from the school holidays starting and all of that, will there be a heap of people up on Turoa? I usually ski mid to higher up on the chairlifts if that makes any scene

Thanks

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 18:33      quote | report

Thanks for the pics Jude. I think we all owe you a coffee. Free coffee for the rest of the season.....

Missus working on Sat morning so we may head across Sat PM and add to the mayhem on Sun & Mon.

With a bit of luck there may be a shuttle on Wed or Thur

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 20:02      quote | report

Always a taker for a free coffee.
Will be interesting to see how the weekend pans out. I've got a feeling it could be a fizzer facilty-wise (just seeing the red-faced middle-aged men have a bit of road/queue rage). Was in Vertical the other day and one of the above mentioned was having a tanty at the sales attendant because his (Spyder) ski pants did not fit over his boots. He admitted that the didn't buy them there, but obviously felt aggrieved enough to rant at any passing ski apparel worker

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 20:22      quote | report

Geez Hoppy what a greaser!
Shuttle Wed or Thurs to Whaka's so I can make sure u buy Jude that coffee (I will buy the cake)
Forget the W/E dude its gonna be CRAZY!!

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 20:54      quote | report

@Naki-Dad,
No problems with the coffee. Pick a cake Jude.

Will definately be a starter for Wed or Thurs pending good weather

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 22:19      quote | report

Sh1t Jude that deck looks good...I wonder which pro shoveled that???

Well well well, winters here. You'll just have to believe me as when I ripped the camera out...the dreadfull flat battery beep.

Road covered from Whaka Village. The place was just white from there on up. If it wasn't for the center line you wouldn't be able to tell where the middle of the road was. Slippery as hell and I even chucked chains on for the descent to Scoria flat aswell to minimise the risk.

Stuff light and dry...but the top layer is loose. A light fluffy slab on top of a wetter firm layer RG Level. Olafs was cracking and sliding so go figure how sketchy it is up top.

The turns felt good like august POW...and I uped Jude, I skied to the back door of the car! Thanks for the feed Jude, your cafe is top knotch

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 6:33      quote | report

Originally posted by: Hoppynaki
@Naki-Dad,
No problems with the coffee. Pick a cake Jude.

Will definately be a starter for Wed or Thurs pending good weather

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 7:08      quote | report

Sounds like they are de-icing the RG. First time since Sat.

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 7:12      quote | report

OMG - Happy Valley open and maybe RG. I might go skiing

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 7:17      quote | report

thats good..i was tempted to come down for sunday but dont really have the time plus damn cold coming on

will wait until i head to wellington following week.

if anyone is interested i can provide a seat to ruapehu 23/7 leaving about 7 am. Free Gas. However not coming back until 6-7 august and then from wellington! So if anyone is keen can provide lift from wellington to auckland via ruapehu 6 august, staying night and back to auckland on 7th..again free gas.

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 8:20      quote | report

Good to see on the Turoa report they are listing the express now.. all closed but it's on ther

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 8:52      quote | report

I'm getting buried!

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 8:55      quote | report

RG closed
HV open

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 8:59      quote | report

Originally posted by: holden_fan2005
Long time reader and finally signed up!! Thanks for all of the pics Jude!!

Just a quick question about this weekend. Apart from the school holidays starting and all of that, will there be a heap of people up on Turoa? I usually ski mid to higher up on the chairlifts if that makes any scene

Thanks

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 9:08      quote | report

Originally posted by: Jude
I'm getting buried!



Pictures like this make me think the snow stake readings are a bit of a guess coz there looks to be alot more than a metre of snow there! I know a lot of it will have been wind drift but hard to believe Turoa only got 5cm last night!!!

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 9:13      quote | report

nor west whakas gets it all

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 9:14      quote | report

Originally posted by: oldscool

Originally posted by: holden_fan2005
Long time reader and finally signed up!! Thanks for all of the pics Jude!!

Just a quick question about this weekend. Apart from the school holidays starting and all of that, will there be a heap of people up on Turoa? I usually ski mid to higher up on the chairlifts if that makes any scene

Thanks

I'm picking every mother, his dog and probably a few of Jude's cats will be lining up at the barrier arm on the first open day just itching to get all red faced with queue rage.....