On Thursday we did an amazing hike in an area of 3 volcanoes… Mt Tangariro, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu.
Mt Ruapehu
The Tongariro Crossing is a 19 KM hike with an 800M elevation gain. We added another 5KM and 200M of gain by adding a trip to Tongariro’s summit. The lodge where we stayed last night provides a shuttle to and from the crossing… the only down side is that there is pressure to hike at a good pace so that we will be at the other side by the 4:30pm pick up time.
The hike starts out at 8:30am in a barren moonscape like lava field devoid of almost all life and a huge expanse of different rocks. Misty fog moving in and out adds to the eerie other worldly feeling. You then ascend the Devil’s staircase to a higher plateau and I’m surprised by the vibrant and vivid colors just coming from rocks. It is windy and cool with clouds swirling around us… then presto, the clouds part and Mt Ngauruhoe’s beautifully symmetric cinder cone rises above us.
We are doing this hike with our Auckland friend, Scott. Scott is amazingly fit and rockets up the trail throughout the day. It is great to have someone who can hike at Brian’s pace. Scott (& a few other Kiwi dudes) is just wearing shorts and a T-shirt while all us tourists are all bundled up against the cold and the wind.
At the pass we veer off the main trail and head up to the summit of Mt Tongariro. From here we have beautiful views of the Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake as well as looking off to Lake Taupo in the distance… and briefly we get a glimpse of Mt Ruapehu’s snow covered peak.
Karen, Brian, Dave, & Scott on Mt Tongariro summit
Scott left his pack at the pass and when we return we learn that it has become a photographic icon for all of today’s hikers as they passed by. Yes Mary, it is true… all 3 of us Americans carried full packs to the summit, but Scott left his pack behind and even had the audacity to stick a box of Cadbury Snoggins into Karen’s pack so that he would have nourishment on top. What a wuss… Yeah right! (Inside Kiwi joke, you’ll have to come to NZ and drink a Tui beer to understand.)
Scott and his iconic pack
We continue on the crossing passing by the Red Crater. This is the most amazing crater I have ever seen… very steep wall of vibrant red and black rock. The crater is still steaming and the ground is hot in some spots. I think we should rename this crater “Trail Blazer” crater because it so perfectly matches the team’s colors.
Red Crater
As we descend down the far side we slide down some steep scree fields. This is an active thermal area with steam vents, hot springs, etc. Slowly we start to see vegetation, starting with colorful lichens, then small flowers, followed by shrubs & waterfalls and finally a scrub forest at the bottom. At the end we are all beat… we finish the day in the hot tub followed by a nice steak dinner.
Lonely Planet Guide Books have called the Tongariro Crossing the best one day hike in the world. Based on what I’ve seen today, I’d have to agree with them. This was a challenging day hike with stunning vistas and an amazing landscape from another world. What a great introduction into New Zealand’s natural wonders!