Mt. Olympus (NZ), July 16

sven

New member
I couldn't get a place at the lodge up on Mount Olympus (all 36 bunks were filled apparently), which was unfortunate, as everyone told me about the hot tub they have up there. And transportation was another issue - I had a really cheap 2wd rental car, and Mount Olympus has probably the most terrifying access road I've ever seen - I think one of the tourist information booklets listed Mt. Olympus' access road as the only one requiring both 4wd and chains. But I figured if I got there at around 8:30 or so, I was bound to find at least one car heading up with room to give me a lift from the bottom, so I decided to try hitchhiking, and figured I'd give up around 10 AM. After about an hour of waiting (at around 9:30) I found a couple of skiers with room to give me a lift. I think they might have been one of a total of 3 cars that headed up that morning, so I was really glad for it.

The entrance to the gravel road leading toward Mt. Olympus (you've got to open the gate up, there is a sign telling you to turn into here off the road, and on the gate itself a small plastic bag with "Road to Mt. Olympus only" written in marker affixed to it)
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This seemed like a good place to park and try hitchhiking (not sure why I had my suitcase out)
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Some Keas "remodeling" the rubber sealant around some unfortunate motorist's sunroof
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I'm a big fan of ski areas that decide to call a run "Shithouse"
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Also a big fan of throwback ski lodges
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More of the ski lodge
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That's the parking lot down there.... maybe about 10 cars total
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Some great terrain at Mt. Olympus.... though it was not nearly as big as Craigieburn
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Some steeper stuff.... though pretty difficult to capture steepness in photo
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Nutcrackers and belts for the rope tows at Mt. Olympus
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Sven
 
1. You missed out. All you needed to do is ask, and they'll let you use the tub for 10 NZD. Highest spa in NZ.
2. Olympus is great.
3. Access road is really scary, especially when the snow line is really low.
4. Those chairs in the lodge in your picture were so comfortable.
 
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