National Park Freezing Weather Requires Covers over Heatpump Units
Even though the Mitsubishi Heatpumps are rated to -15degC, freezing winds off Ruapehu mean that at 5degC or below the outdoor units are covered in ice, so was necessary to build covers for them. These were old circuit breaker packing from ABB in Sweden, recycled to ensure the wind didn't directly chill the fins.

How do you Plant a Vegetable Garden at 800m and -5degC?
Well you plant it indoors of course, and somewhere readily accessable ... like a handbasin in the lounge. It was soooo obvious !!!

Oooooh and the answer to that question you're wondering about ... it's a crop of brussel sprouts, silverbeet and spinach.

Silica Rapids Track Ruapehu

Not wanting to miss the opportunity to trek on Ruapehu, there was some snow on the lower slopes so off we trekked to the Silica Rapids ... through snow and past ice covered ponds.