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Ruapehu 2010
Now I'm very tempted, the knoll and express is worth it, the high flyer and pick isn't.
Will see if I can get it out of the RAL boys. They loved my cinnamon pinwheels 
Forget youth and beauty - food does it everytime 
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reine de l'hiver
Jude, I have this image of the ice queen, lurking in her lair and tempting innocent RAL boys and other assorted folk (good looking ones, of course) with pinwheels and other charms (we won't go there now, will we!) to be devoured at her leisure. The remains cast carelessly off into skippers. Lucky I usually tuck at speed past there!
Mummy I'm scared!
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One good turn deserves another...
@Edgehi. It's all about perception Learnt a few tricks in my previous career in govt spin.
Any wayward children and other irritants will be tossed over Skippers. You will see their bones in the summer....
My name is really Beryl, I weigh 200 kg and hate snow 
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reine de l'hiver
PS See shot of the day....
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reine de l'hiver
Originally posted by: Jude
PS See shot of the day....
Whats up with those fellas?? Next time I am getting prepared for the mountains I am certantly getting some advice from these guys...or asking how thye managed to change their skin to seal blubber
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"If in doubt, straighten 'em out"
It's all explained my my blog...appearing soon
Whaka great for people watching. You get all sorts because it's so easy to get to.
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reine de l'hiver
Beautiful clear night. Can see the lights of Natty Park glittering
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reine de l'hiver
I'm thinking of going over this weekend now that RAL are openning up the T's.
The weather forecast still looks a bit dicey though.
Will make a decision tomorrow night.
Keep up the great info Jude.
*edited 30 Jun 2010 20:47
On hill trip planned 10-18 July, can't wait!
EDIT* well, actually, I can. Waiting for new board...
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Punter Extraordinaire
Originally posted by: Jude
It's all explained my my blog...appearing soon
Need to hurry Scotty up to get it up there!
Also, there's something random going on with your bio about "adding a pic in the space above" or something. Can you delete that or do you need to get Scotty to?Gonna be a great read.
Will call you this (long) weekend if we are over your way.
^^^ Will check that out 
Let me know if you are over. Weekends my busy time so I'm stuck this side. Tues/Weds technically my days off.
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reine de l'hiver
Just cranked up snowmakers on RG. Will lull me to sleep.....then I'll get the 5am skidoos and 6.30am yeti sticks....
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reine de l'hiver
"Both the Valley and Knoll Ridge t-bars will open at Whakapapa this weekend meaning upper mountain skiing and riding is underway for 2010. Area Manager, Steve McGill said that good snowfalls from the west in the last couple of days meant groomers could start trail preparation and buidling lines. He also expected the Waterfall Express will offer limited skiing and possibly the Rockgarden if he can get a few hours snowmaking tonight."
Well, he's had more than a few hours - still going now. Clear and cold.
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reine de l'hiver
Really happy to hear that news! Heading up to Turangi about midday tomorrow from Wellington so really hoping to get some first turns in on Saturday on the upper mountain. Will possibly take a check out how things are on the pinnacles and a few other slopes depending on conditions and how my summer legs are holding up!
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IT Hack & Genuine NutJob
Really cold out and a brisk wind blowing. Not enough to stop a heli running stuff up to the Knoll though. No new snow except the man made stuff. Might venture out to HV later for something to do. Sigh. Only so much baking you can do
Snowmaking on Rock Garden
Ngarahoe
Waterfall
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reine de l'hiver
Somthing bad has happened to those pics...hope it's just my stupid dial up.
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reine de l'hiver
Looks good to me! Legend Jude ... especially doing under dial up. The RG is looking rather nice!
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If you don't like my fire don't come around.
I can make and drink a coffee in the time it takes to load. Use vodem if I'm in a real hurry but chewing through that fast.
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reine de l'hiver
Well, he's had more than a few hours - still going now. Clear and cold.
First post for the day again!, and first lines on the man made snow?
Don't stop the baking, with any left overs you can always start a little ski in/out enterprise on the Rocky....
RAL saying RG will be operational on Saturday.
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If you don't like my fire don't come around.
In/out enterprise on the rocky!!!
Blunt, moderate them, this is a family show!
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One good turn deserves another...
@Friday. Not even tempted to get fist lines on that concrete. Maybe in a couple of hours. Then Happy Valley. Have to do some emergency lighting testing at my own hut. It takes a lot to keep these places running and cos I'm on the hill now I get to do it. Hope I don't zap myself. 
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reine de l'hiver
*edited 01 Jul 2010 16:28
Back from Happy Valley bliss Lasted a couple of hours which was more than expected. The trip down the RG was nasty - hard, hard, snow. Nothing really released today - still firm when I skinned up and the RG chair is iced up. Some ski patrol just went past the lodge - noticed they were snowploughing on the death ice boulders too. Got it from a staff member that the Valley is looking good, ditto the Knoll. No word on Waterfall T and Rock Garden (surely if they give it a good groom) or if Express will be skiable or for access only.
Skinned up via my own club. Skins did well on the hard pack and zig-zagging around a few rocks. Think I am getting the hang of them. May head up to Hut Flat and beyond if the weather Ok tomorrow (currently overcast and blowing from the South).
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reine de l'hiver
*edited 01 Jul 2010 16:46
will touch base in the a.m Jude, Rob may be keen for a skin if the planets align
EDIT: or he might ditch you for Voltaren - see piccies below 
.. will let you know.
well just got back ,lovely day for the first half..got to see the new tower in place and score a few turns with a few others..looking good for the express to run, snowcover is ok up top
still a little bit of dry snow on the dark side....
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you gotta get up ...to get down..
@ Voltaren - nice.
@ CCS - yes do. Have a friend who's a beginner skinner too who might head up as well. Would be good to get some tips from the pros Excecuted a rather clumsy kick turn today (not my forte in downhill mode let along a big flapping ski to tangle myself up in).
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reine de l'hiver
pros... pfft (I am all all enthusiasm, not style)
@ CCS Ditto!
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reine de l'hiver
I'm experienced, glad to show you, sometime, I've got a special touring kick turn to show you, it's cool. Like a secret handshake amongst clansmen!
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One good turn deserves another...
You are on Edgehi. My knees hate kick turns. Get all tangled up. On list of things to master. Should have been practising them in HV today.
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reine de l'hiver
Some serious cat action happening on the Rock Garden. I'll miss Happy Valley and skinning back up
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reine de l'hiver
Originally posted by: Jude
Some serious cat action happening on the Rock Garden. I'll miss Happy Valley and skinning back up
Better get up there to rip that EXTREME terrain with those hardouts that just progressed from HV!
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"If in doubt, straighten 'em out"
Originally posted by: jedski
Better get up there to rip that EXTREME terrain with those hardouts that just progressed from HV!
Too right! Cat gone now. Tea break hopefully.
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reine de l'hiver
Originally posted by: jedskiOriginally posted by: Jude
Some serious cat action happening on the Rock Garden. I'll miss Happy Valley and skinning back up
Better get up there to rip that EXTREME terrain with those hardouts that just progressed from HV!
don't want them to think it is to extreme or they might skip the rockgarden and go straight up the express.
Originally posted by: Jude
Too right! Cat gone now. Tea break hopefully.
Uh,Uh,Arr...If the groomer drivers are the same as last year they most probably somehow got lost and are getting relayed instructions to get home but they hardly speak english so damn near impossible. Also big ruts and holes must be acceptable in there country,even on the flats and single file trails...
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"If in doubt, straighten 'em out"
Can anyone confirm this? I heard that they have (random?) drug testing for RAL employees this year?
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Punter Extraordinaire
Originally posted by: fattrav
Can anyone confirm this? I heard that they have (random?) drug testing for RAL employees this year?
Yup all true, certainly changed the colour of the mountain
*edited 01 Jul 2010 21:51
Originally posted by: Mountainman69Originally posted by: fattrav
Can anyone confirm this? I heard that they have (random?) drug testing for RAL employees this year?
Yup all true, certainly changed the colour of the mountain
I was thinking about this a little. So, if you have some banned substance in your sample, you get fired. Ok, that is sweet, but, who are they going to hire? Locals?
I have already heard that some of the previous years employees haven't made the journey to NZ due to the testing.
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Punter Extraordinaire
il be well happy to just play in the rock garden all w.e haha. bags all packed and ready roll right after work 2moro
guna flag it this w.e.
Bad weather forecasted to come in on Saturday now.
Might look at coming across on the shuttle later on in the week.
serios cat action
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Originally posted by: fattrav
Can anyone confirm this? I heard that they have (random?) drug testing for RAL employees this year?
Hell if they tried that in BC the fields would have about 3 staff after a week. Except the policy would be like
"Employees may be randomly drug tested and positive results will result in immediate dismissal. Meanwhile, the computer I'm writing this on is TALKING TO ME."
On a more serious note - I'll be in 'Kune for 9 days from Saturday morning. Assuming Colin doesn't track me down and serve me with a summons of some kind I'm probably keen to go for a skid, PM me, I'll have internets.
So i had my first tracks up at Turoa today and yesterday. Some pretty great boarding just above the frozen waterfall, yahoo was all good today too. Tried my luck down the why not valley, some nice lines and there was some nice soft snow down the bottom. Then spent a good lil while navigating my way down the lower freeway dodging rocks and a stream. up top is looking great, cant wait to get up there. Hit some pretty major rocks tryna navigate my way down clarrys tho, my board got a beating. 
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Summer sucks!
^^ Haha yeah got back from the mountain on Tuesday. Clarrys is a mess, and so is boneyards. Saw the rocks near the bottom of clarrys so just walked it down the rest of the way. Still got one or two minor scratches.
Heading up again on Saturday, praying for a miracle in regards to the weather; bring on the snow, but the wind can take a hike. Looks like Whakas is the place to be, what with the opening of the knoll and valley t's.
Lovely clear day here (cold and a bit windy though). Bit early for pics. I obviously scared the poor cat off - RG trail barely formed.
Have heard from several sources that 50 RAL staff given pink slips. Not sure it's all drug related (testing alcohol, cannabis, meth).
Mister Cat is back. With his tail down, smoothing out the snow nicely. Never thought I'd get this excited by the RG being ridable
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reine de l'hiver
Originally posted by: Jude
Lovely clear day here (cold and a bit windy though). Bit early for pics. I obviously scared the poor cat off - RG trail barely formed.
Have heard from several sources that 50 RAL staff given pink slips. Not sure it's all drug related (testing alcohol, cannabis, meth).
Mister Cat is back. With his tail down, smoothing out the snow nicely. Never thought I'd get this excited by the RG being ridable
I cant wait to see the results of the Drug and Alchol Checkpoints that the Police are planning to do in the area over the next two weeks. Captive market coming down from the Mountain
*edited 02 Jul 2010 07:50
"Never thought I'd get this excited by the RG being ridable"
I never thought you would either.
Snow making???
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One good turn deserves another...
*edited 02 Jul 2010 07:54
Originally posted by: gavspad
I cant wait to see the results of the Drug and Alchol Checkpoints that the Police are planning to do in the area over the next two weeks. Captive market coming down from the Mountain
Thanks for the warning Gav = you have just blown that operation
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reine de l'hiver
@ Edgehi. Yes snowmaking on (but not the gun closest to me (where the trail is really narrow - doh!)
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reine de l'hiver
Gavspad..LSD is illegal, so watch out
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Ski patrol have just been putting up ropes behind the lodge (drop off to Skippers about 10 m from kitchen window). Offered him a coffee and anzac bikkie - he was tempted but thought he'd better get on so they can open RG at 11 RG looking nice. Tomorrow will be manic so it might be worth doing a few laps. Gee not sure if I can handle RG after HV
Might go for a skin up back of Hut Flat to have a look at terrain out amphitheatre way. West lifts will be weeks off - need a couple of big dumps.
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reine de l'hiver
Originally posted by: gavspadOriginally posted by: Jude
Lovely clear day here (cold and a bit windy though). Bit early for pics. I obviously scared the poor cat off - RG trail barely formed.
Have heard from several sources that 50 RAL staff given pink slips. Not sure it's all drug related (testing alcohol, cannabis, meth).
Mister Cat is back. With his tail down, smoothing out the snow nicely. Never thought I'd get this excited by the RG being ridable
I cant wait to see the results of the Drug and Alchol Checkpoints that the Police are planning to do in the area over the next two weeks. Captive market coming down from the Mountain
which license will you be using colin? must be hard to choose
Originally posted by: edgehi
*edited 02 Jul 2010 07:50
"Never thought I'd get this excited by the RG being ridable"
I never thought you would either.
Snow making???
The terrain on the RG is actually pretty good,(steeps on olafs, and the knob between iwikau and the centennial chair + tennants etc).
With snow making it is guaranteed good cover. However it is let down by the slow lifts,
Once/If the Tennants express is ever built I would certainly consider more top to bottom runs, but currently the grind up the RG and C is just too long...
well thanks to someone crashing their car into my car, i wont be coming down this weekend! Got a ride for next weekend though. Got to say good on the whakapapa crew for getting the upper mountain lifts operational only 1 week after the opening day. or has it been 2 weeks? I have a pretty shocking memory... Glad im not an RAL staff member
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I am the freedom breeder!
still the fast way to get to the west ridge though, that national chair must be nz's slowest lift. you could walk faster.
The rg is looking pretty decent and is a much better run that than ct, probably end up going there.
I'm up Turoa on Sunday if weather holds.
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If you don't like my fire don't come around.
But then I haven't been down the RG since my first couple of days boarding so be nice to jam a few turns there too.
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If you don't like my fire don't come around.