Since we had last left Tauranga, we had been watching the Tongariro National Park weather so in preparation for the Alpine Crossing. Clear and safe weather is essential for this crossing, especially in the winter. That day finally arrived on Saturday, June 19. So, sped from the north, with a stop in Auckland to visit friends of a friends, down south to the center of the island to Tongariro NP.
The friends we met with gave us a tour of Bucklands Beach, which was quite enjoyable.
We arrived after dark on Friday, but were heralded with beautiful views of Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom from LOTR) during twilight.
We had to arrive early the next morning at the headquarters, to get outfitted with crampons. We piled in a bus with 50 other people and they took us to the start. They gave us ice axes and broke us up into 5 groups. Then we were off. I was both nervous and excited. The weather looked good, so that was promising. Hopefully I wouldn’t be cursing myself for choosing this trip. Both the cold and the distance scared me a bit. The summit promised to be at freezing or below, around -6°C, without windchill. The distance was a significant 19.4 kilometers, and that was without the elevation gain, which could often be the bane of my existence during a hike.
Plenty of frost whiskers about.
We could see the elusive Mt. Taranaki rising above the clouds to the east.
Mt. Ruapehu to the south.
It was definitely a gorgeous walk. Even from the beginning.
The rocky, volcanic ground definitely gives the feel of a hellish, desolate place. I can see why the picked the area to film to many locations of Mordor (LOTR) here.
Time to put on crampons and learn how to use the ice axes.
I can see why they call it red crater.
Blue Lake.
Steam provided proof that it is a volcano that we are walking on…
Lake Rotorua (and Taupo) can be seen from here.
Lake Taupo.
Some more vents.
Mountains upon mountains into the distance.
We finally reached the destination on the other side. It was already sunset and the drive back seemed to take forever, but we really did enjoy ourselves, despite the cold and the distance. We were definitely ready to rest that night. It was tremendously beautiful walk, and very pretty covered in snow and ice. I can highly recommend.
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