The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Our next stop on the way back to Auckland was Tongariro National Park, near lake Taupo.

We hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, considered the most popular day hike in New Zealand. Part of the mountain was used in filming Lord of the Rings. Mt. Ngauruhoe, the summit peak that you can see in the photos, is Mt Doom in the movie. There were a lot of people hiking that day, which was weird. We were used to being the only hikers on a trail. Since the track is one-way, we parked our van at a nearby hostel offering a package of a two-night stay plus transport to and from the track. They took us by bus at 6:30 am along with about twenty other hikers staying at the hostel. The hike takes just over six hours, and the shuttle leaves the other parking lot at 4pm. The hiking time does not include a two hour round trip up to the summit (that section has no marked track). We rented hiking boots from the hostel, but Chris ended up doing the whole thing in his tennis shoes. It was a very long day but lots of fun and very dramatic scenery.

the hike also covers a 1000 m change in elevation

mt ngauruhoe (mt doom). Chris hiked this section in half the posted time like a champ (while i waited at the bottom and ate my lunch).

from the top of the crater, looking in

chris' view of the track from the summit, where I was waiting with my sandwich

as long as the smoke is white, it's fine. if it starts turning dark grey, RUN.

about halfway

live volcano, perfect photo op.