Editing Mount Ruapehu (section)

===Severe weather incidents===

Weather conditions can be changeable over the day, and mountain visitors are advised to be prepared and carry basic survival equipment.<ref name="DOC Weather 2">{{cite web |title=Round the Mountain Track |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/round-the-mountain-track/#Weather |website=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] |access-date=15 March 2021 |language=en-nz |archive-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328213652/https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/round-the-mountain-track/#Weather |url-status=live }}</ref> Severe weather has claimed several lives over the years, including a party of five [[NZ Army]] soldiers and one [[RNZN]] naval rating, caught in a week-long storm while undergoing winter survival training in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/list.asp?id=18 |title=Special Honours List 1999 |publisher=New Zealand Government |date=23 October 1999 |access-date=2009-02-11 |archive-date=5 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205035002/http://dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/list.asp?id=18 |url-status=live }}</ref> The same storm also trapped an experienced Japanese mountaineer when the weather unexpectedly closed in on him, but he built a [[snow cave]] and sheltered in it until he was rescued days later.<ref name=upi_19900816/>

Extreme weather conditions have caused visitors to be trapped on the mountain in the past. In 2003, about 350 visitors to Whakapapa skifield and 70 staff had to stay overnight in various lodges at Iwikau village (small village at the top of mountain road) after a snow storm made the road too dangerous to descend.<ref>{{cite news|last=Charman |first=Paul |date=6 June 2014 |title=Outdoors: Preparing the snow |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11268723 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=11 November 2016 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112082303/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11268723 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008 extreme weather resulted in about 2000 visitors being evacuated from Whakapapa skifield, with cars being led down the mountain in groups of five. About 100 cars were left at the skifield overnight.<ref>{{Cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925082155/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4631448a11.html|archive-date=2008-09-25|url-status=live |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4631448a11.html |title=Northland cops it as storm sweeps island |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=26 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=July 2008 North Island Weather Bomb ( 2008-07-26 ) |url=https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/July_2008_North_Island_Weather_Bomb |website=hwe.niwa.co.nz |access-date=15 March 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129151205/https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/July_2008_North_Island_Weather_Bomb |url-status=live }}</ref>