"The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world."
(https://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/)
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| 7.30am at the start - much quieter than usual because NZ's borders are closed |
This walk totally exceeding all expectations and I was in my happy place the whole day. I have always wanted to return to the Tongariro Crossing after walking the Northern Circuit in '98. Sharon and I set out to spend a week on the 'Round the Mountain' track anticlockwise but had to turn back when a storm made the rivers too dangerous to cross. We changed our route to a safer option and spent a night at Mangatapopo Hut on the way. We then walked to Ketatahi Hut (now removed after being damaged by an eruption) taking a detour to summit Mount Ngauruhoe (not allowed anymore). To complete the circuit we had to back-track the next day from Ketetahi and turn off near the Emerald Lakes, and so I never completed the whole 'Crossing' back to the road end. This time I walked solo, taking my van to Tongariro the day before and booking the Shuttle for 7am. I loved every minute of the time spent in the mountains, and lingered much longer than most at the top. Another couple felt the same and after starting the descent after lunch they turned around to spend more time exploring the tops. This has always been my reason for tramping, being in the hills rather than moving at speed, and I have never let the estimated track times influence my pace. They are useful of course to make sure we know we can reach our destination before dark, but otherwise I would prefer to take a long lunch break with a view, much like a picnic in a park, rather than eat quickly to run back to the car. This one is right up there at the top of my 'best days' list.
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| Camouflaged toilets along the track, nice one DOC |
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| After starting the descent from Blue Lake it feels like you are on the home straight, then you see a sign that tells you there are still 10km to go!!!! |
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| Long lunch break at the old Ketatahi Hut site watching everyone rushing by to leave the mountain. There were still 6 hours of daylight to enjoy! |
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| Lahar mess!! |
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| At the Ketatahi roadend where everyone was waiting for a shuttle, but I had to walk another km to my car on the main road!! |