How does ATES apply on the Tongariro Be avalanche aware! Alpine Crossing? If you are going into places avalanches could occur, make be A large proportion of the Tongariro National Park below sure you: 1700 m is classed as simple avalanche terrain; elevations • have checked the ATES class for where you want to go avalanche above this altitude are mainly challenging or complex and the BAA for the avalanche rating avalanche terrain. See insert • have the skills for the ATES class you are going into All visitors to the national park should consider carefully • take an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a alert the class of avalanche terrain they will be travelling through. probe. Know how to use these tools! Due to the nature of the weather conditions in the park the AVALANCHE TERRAIN RATINGS avalanche hazard can change with very little warning Risk statement Avalanche season ATES and the BAA should be used together for evaluating hazards and managing personal risk in the backcountry. Avalanches are the most common during the winter and TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK spring, from July through to October, but can happen for There are inherent risks in backcountry travel, and most of the several months either side of that period if there are heavy routes described here will at times be unsafe due to potential snow snowfalls. Snow can fall at any time of the year in the higher avalanches. The Department of Conservation has done its best to parts of the park – therefore avalanches are also possible, but provide accurate information describing the terrain characteristics not common, at other times of the year on the glaciers and typical of each general region, based on its current knowledge. However, it is up to you to use this information to make your own the steeper higher-altitude terrain in the park. risk-management decisions and learn the necessary skills for safe Tongariro Alpine Crossing backcountry travel, to access additional trip-planning materials, Most of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is simple terrain, and to exercise caution while travelling in backcountry areas. This however the section of track that crosses over Red Crater information is no substitute for experience and good judgement. between South Crater and Emerald Lakes contains challenging and complex terrain and the section of track BAA – Backcountry Avalanche Advisory from Blue Lake to Ketetahi contains terrain. challenging The Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is provided by During periods when there is snow present people should the Mountain Safety Council, and is available at not venture past either the Ketetahi or Mangatepopo car www.avalanche.net.nz parks without the right avalanche expertise and equipment, or should be accompanied by an experienced guide. Mount Ruapehu Don’t go Some routes on simple terrain exist on the northern side up to the Summit Plateau area. Approaches from all other directions and onto the summit of Ruapehu involve travel through challenging and complex terrain. Ski areas – Avalanche control work on the ski areas is done Experts only to make the ski areas safe while they are open for skiing. Outside of normal open hours and when the ski areas or parts of them are closed avalanche hazards may exist in the closed terrain. During those times you need to take the Basic ATES classification and avalanche danger level into account avalanche when travelling in them. skills Iwikau Village – During periods of high or extreme avalanche danger outside of ski-area operating hours or when the ski area is closed avalanche hazard can exist at Published by Department of Conservation Tongariro Whanganui Taranaki Conservancy times near some club lodges and on the access routes to Private Bag 3016 www.doc.govt.nz others. You should stick to roads, groomed tracks and stay Whanganui, New Zealand off of any steep slopes during those periods. 2011 Avalanches are part of life in the mountains. They can occur in any season, but are more common in winter ATES – Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale and spring. Anytime that snow and steep slopes are Description Class Terrain criteria combined there is potential for an avalanche. Simple 1 Exposure to low-angle or primarily Is it worth the risk?? forested terrain. Some forest or bush Challenging terrain If you travel through backcountry terrain exposed to openings may involve the run-out zones of infrequent avalanches. Many options to • Challenging (Class 2) terrain requires skills to avalanches, you must accept that you are taking a risk. You recognize and avoid avalanche-prone terrain – big need to understand these risks before setting out. reduce or eliminate exposure. No glacier travel. slopes exist on these trips. You must also know What is the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale how to understand avalanche advisories, perform system (ATES)? Challenging 2 Exposure to well defined avalanche paths, avalanche self rescue, basic first aid, and be starting zones or terrain traps; options confident in your route-finding skills. The traditional model for rating avalanche danger in New exist to reduce or eliminate exposure with • In places where an avalanche advisory exists, you Zealand – the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory – is based careful route finding. Glacier travel is should take an avalanche course prior to travelling on the stability of snow. The advisory may be updated on a straight forward, but crevasse hazards daily basis as stability changes regularly through weather may exist. in this type of terrain. changes and storms. Terrain does not change with the • If there is no advisory you or someone in your weather. The angle and shape of the ground or the number Complex 3 Exposure to multiple, overlapping group should have done a four-day avalanche of established avalanche paths do not vary. By using the avalanche paths or large expanses of course. Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES), you can begin to steep, open terrain; multiple avalanche • If you are unsure of your own, or your group’s measure your skills, experience and risk tolerance against starting zones and terrain traps below; the terrain you plan to travel in. minimal options to reduce exposure. ability to navigate through avalanche terrain – Complicated glacier travel with extensive consider hiring a professional guide, normally an Do I still need to read the crevasse bands or icefalls. NZMGA qualified guide. Backcountry Avalanche Advisory (BAA)? Complex terrain Yes – if a BAA is available you should use it to help decide if your trip ’is worth the risk‘. much exper • Complex (Class 3) terrain demands a strong ow ienc g? H e d in group with years of critical decision-making When the avalanche advisory is rated ‘moderate’ or above, o I n nee lan experience in avalanche terrain. There can be no you should select very conservative terrain. Alternatively, d fo m p when the avalanche advisory is rated ‘low’, it might be r the trip I a safe options on these trips, forcing exposure to big appropriate to consider that next level of terrain you have Simple terrain slopes. been contemplating. • Simple (Class 1) terrain requires common • A recommended minimum is that you, or The two scales should be used together to appropriately sense, proper equipment, first aid skills, and the someone in your group, should have taken a four- manage your risk in the backcountry. discipline to respect avalanche warnings. Simple day avalanche course and have several years of The Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is provided by the terrain is usually low-avalanche risk, ideal for backcountry experience. Be prepared! Check the Mountain Safety Council, and is available at people gaining backcountry experience. avalanche advisory regularly, and ensure everyone www.avalanche.net.nz and at DOC visitor centres. • These trips may not be entirely free from in your group is up for the task and aware of the avalanche hazards. On days when the Backcountry risk. When should I use this system? Avalanche Advisory is rated ‘considerable’ or • If there is no advisory, then it is recommended These ratings are intended as a supplement to your pre- higher, you may want to re-think any backcountry that everyone in the group has done the four-day trip planning material. When planning your trip, read the travel that has exposure to avalanches, e.g. stay course. This is serious country – not a place to guidebook, study maps and photos, talk to friends, check within the boundaries of a ski area. consider unless you’re confident in the skills of weather and avalanche conditions, and refer to the ATES your group. ratings. This combination will give you a better sense of the • If there is no advisory, you or someone in your route you are choosing. group should have done an avalanche-awareness • If you are uncertain, hiring a professional course. NZMGA qualified guide is recommended. How ATES applies in Tongariro National Park Tongariro National Park and surrounding terrain Simple Challenging Complex Ketetahi Hut Ketetahi Hut to Central Crater Red Crater Blue Lake Mt Ngauruhoe The Pinnacles Emerald Lake Tama Lakes Ruapehu Summits South Crater Mt Tongariro Pukekaikiore Cliffs Ketetahi car park to Ketetahi Hut Pukekaikiore Summit Tama Lake Ridge Track Wahianoa River Iwikau Village South West face of Whakapapa Ski Area Hauhungatahi Whakapapa Glacier Jumbo T-Bar, Turoa Ski Field Dome Ridge Ski Line Ridge Turoa Ski Field–except the Jumbo T-Bar Blyth Hut The Round the Mountain Track–except the Wahianoa River North West Face of Hauhungatahi Tukino Ski Field.