TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING

A very early morning start for day 10 of our New Zealand, North Island trip. We spend most of today hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

A 19.4 kilometre walk starting from the Mangatepopo carpark and ending at the Ketetaki carpark. It’s a 6 and a half hour hike that took us 7 hours to do. Which is pretty good considering I though it would take us a lot longer. Well a couple of hours longer anyway.

I think it was towards the end of blue hour when we started the easy walk through the valley. A small gradient for about 5 kilometres. A comfortable walk along a well maintained path that, not long after, becomes a raised wooden platform. All in the middle of low lying brush and small streams.

Then you arrive at a sign that asks if you’re sure you want to keep going because if you thought the last 5 kilometres were tough, the next 6 are a gruelling, constant uphill battle. And maybe you should think about turning back, now. To me it was the toughest part of the hike. You’re constantly walking up a steep hill and climbing stairs. A different environment from here on. Very rocky.

All worthwhile when you reach the top, not the summit, and see the grandiosity of the Red Crater. It reminded me of planet Mars. This is what it would look like, I thought to myself. We could clearly see Mount Ngauruhoe with it’s spots of snow. There were a few around the crater as well. The temperature had dropped a bit too.

After the red Crater, Mount Ngauruhoe and the desert surroundings, we came to the beautiful sight of the Blue Lake. In my opinion more beautiful and impressive here, from afar, than up close.

Another steep climb awaits but much shorter and slippery this time to reach the summit. Very windy and cold up here but my oh my what a gorgeous view. The Emerald Lakes are just majestic. So much so you tend to forget the 360º panoramic views.

The descent to the lakes is very steep and slippery with loose rocks and dirt. I saw 2 or 3 people hurt themselves from this descent. Ankles and knees get quite a beating here.

Once down you can get up close and personal to the three lakes. And they are just as impressive and beautiful right in front of your eyes. Each unique to one another in every way. Just amazing.

When you’re done admiring the Emeralds Lakes, you have the Large Crater to cross before reaching the Blue Lake.

The Blue Lake is much Larger than the three others and, as I mentioned before, less impressive up close than from afar. From here it looked like just another lake. From farther away you see it in it’s environment, surroundings, above the clouds and it makes you wonder, how?

The terrain changes back from a desert to very rocky again. An easy going walk until we reached public toilets. There are a few of them every 5 or 6 kilometres. We had lunch with a view down the valley and a helicopter spectacle. They were dropping men and equipment to clean and empty the toilets. The speed at which they did it was quite impressive. No photos but we captured it in video if you want to check it out.

The environment changes again from here on to dry brushes and rocks and, if you look carefully, small, beautiful plants. Stunning views down the valley from here on too. I briefly met an old lady, perhaps in her 60’s, along this track. I don’t think it was her first time crossing the alpine.

It’s all down hill from here on and the track become very well maintained. It wounds down to the Ketetaki Shelter where most people stopped for a bite, drink, rest and socialise a little. Between here and the forest I saw, for the second time, a young boy and his mother who were also doing the alpine crossing. The boy looked 10 years old. As I mentioned on my video post, young and old can do this hike.

So the forest is very welcoming as it’s the only time you find shade along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A little cooler too but very humid. I quite enjoyed the walk here. Nothing really picturesque to photograph apart this little cascade but, again, check out the video if you want to see what it’s like. Once you walk out of the forest, that’s it, you’ve arrive at the Ketetaki carpark. The end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

We didn’t have to wait long before our shuttle bus arrived to bring us back to the Discovery Lodge Tongariro, where we stayed last night, for a nice shower and rest. We were going to stay the night too but felt pretty good and anxious to move on. So we packed up and left Tongaririo National Park. We drove a few kilometres towards our next destination before stopping at Taumarunui Holiday Park in Mananui for the night. 

That’s it everyone until the next video. Tomorrow we head off to Waitomo to go underground.

p.s. thank you once again to Alain for the use of some of his photos.

TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING

DAY 10

Today we do only one thing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A 19.4 kilometre hike.

Thank goodness for the early night on day 9 because we had to be ready and waiting the shuttle, that would bring us to the start of the crossing, by 6 am. Shuttles to and from the car parks are provided by most of the areas’ hotels and campsites as parking is limited to 4 hours at the alpine crossing. The crossing doesn’t loop so unless you’re a super athlete, there’s no way you make the 19.4 kms AND back in that time. I think it took us 7 hours to complete it. One way. So book a shuttle in advance.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing starts at the Mangatepopo carpark and ends at the Ketetaki carpark. It is well managed and accessible to everyone. The young and the old as long as you’re in good physical shape. I saw an 8 to 10 year old kid and a lady, at least, in her sixties on the hike.

The terrain changes constantly along the way. Starting with low lying brushes, streams, a moist environment to a very rocky and dry earth. Then desert-like as you reach the craters. Made me think of Mars, I don’t know why. It must be the movies. Very loose, rocky earth after that as you climb the steep hill before arriving at the summit. This is where my iPhone gave out on me. It wouldn’t stay on for more than a couple of seconds before shutting off completely. I’m pretty sure it was the drop in temperature. Hence no video of the most crucial time. It was the beginning signs that my battery needed replacing. Anyways, once you hit the summit, all your efforts are compensated by the beautiful Emerald Lakes. Three lakes, three different colours. Magnificent! And, of course, the 360° views of the valley, the snow capped Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, the craters, steam coming out of the earth... just spectacular! You really feel like on another planet. The descent to the lakes is probably the most dangerous... maybe not dangerous but the probability of injury is most likely to occur here if caution is not adhered to. Take your time and you’ll be fine. After another crater crossing, you arrive to a fourth, much larger lake, the Blue Lake. You see this one before the others from afar and is more impressive then than up close. In my opinion anyway. 

I forgot to mention that there are toilets available every 6 kilometres or so. Very handy. We stopped near one of these for lunch with a view. Not of the toilets. It’s where we got a spectacle of a helicopter bringing in materials and men to empty the toilets. Amazing the speed at which they conducted their work.

From here on end it was pretty much all down hill. Dry, low lying brush to the Ketetahi Shelter where almost everyone stopped for a break and a chat. After that you enter the forest until you reach the second car park. Quite welcoming this forest for it’s shade.

Oh and talk about shade (apart from the forest at the very end), there isn’t any, anywhere, on the alpine crossing. So come prepared with the necessary. Sunscreen, hat, windbreaker (lots of wind and the temperature drops as you arrive towards the summit, even in summer) and most important of all, water. Lots of it. Minimum a litre, more if you can. 19.4 kms up and over mountains is nothing to sniff at so be prepared, take your time and you’ll enjoy every moment of it.

We got back to the lodge around 2 pm. Had a shower, relaxed a little and decided to hit the road. From here on end we were heading north back towards Auckland. We stopped at Taumarunui Holiday Park in the town of Mananui for the night. We arrived a few hours before sunset and took the opportunity for a snooze, tidying up, relaxing, aperitif, dinner and bed. I think we were all in bed by 7:30-8 o’clock. The hike took it’s toll.

That’s it my friends. Tomorrow we head to Waitomo Caves. Goodnight.

p.s. just a self reminder to thank my friend, Alain, for the use of his photos and videos.

MUSIC :

Relaxing Ambient Maori Music with Beautiful Sunset on the Beach - Healing Meditation Music from Sue Rogers

TAUPO

We spend the majority of today, day 9, in Taupo visiting a couple of boutiques, falls and a extreme experience for one of us. We end the day thought, in Tongariro National Park.

As we were taking photos at the end of day 8, I saw a lookout from the bridge just in front of the Aratiatia Dam and a sign indicating a trail that may lead to it.

So this morning I though I’d checking that out. And I’m glad I did. It’s a beautiful, easy going walk that lead to two lookouts. Great views of Waikato River and the valley towards the Aratiatia Power Station, and beyond. Unfortunately the light was flat due the thin layer of clouds. The sun had a hard time piercing through. It did come out eventually but we were already on our way by then.

Our fist visit for the morning was Lava Glass. A glassblowing gallery and cafe. I wish I had filmed the inside of the boutique to show you the stunning glassware on display. When you see all the beautiful, vivid colours and designs, and the owner of the place tells you there’s nothing painted, it’s all coloured glass... that’s very impressive, even amazing. For a small fee you have access to the workshop where they do all the glassblowing and to the glass garden where you can wander around hundreds of glass sculptures. It’s not a long visit so if you have a little time to spare, stop by the Lava Lass for a visit. You won’t regret it. 

Our next stop was the Huka Honey Hive. I’ve never seen so many products with or made from honey. You’ll have to visit to check out their website for their line of products. I was equally surprised at the array of honey they had at the tasting stand. A must, is all I can’t say. An interesting place just to walk around. You’ll discover the materials used in the old days to extract honey and see the little bees at work. Fifteen minutes is all you need but I’m sure you’ll stay longer.

I have to apologies for not having any photos of the Lava Glass Gallery nor of the Huka Honey Hive. I filmed those two place which you can check out the video here or the links above. Sorry.

Huka Falls was our main objective today even though we were a little sidetracked. Now the falls are impressive in themselves but the surroundings are just gorgeous. If you get the chance to visit, don’t just stop at the bridge nor the lookouts, wander upstream a little and duck down little tracks to see the peaceful shores of the Waikato River just before it turns into a torrent of water. 

Paloma, my friend’s daughter, wanted to have an extreme experience. So Taupo Bungy was our next stop. She didn’t know which to choose from the Cliff Hanger or the Bungy. In the end she wasn’t too enthusiastic with her choice, the Cliff Hanger, even though we could hear her emotions as she swung (giggle). This part of the Waikato River is just as beautiful as upstream. The cliffs, the river, the vivid colours... just stunning. Even if extreme experiences isn’t your thing, just the beauty of the area is worth a quick stop.

Once the adrenaline settled (giggle), we headed into town for lunch. Then the boys and girls split up for some last minute shopping. Alain and I looked around for hiking shoes as his weren’t adapted for the hike we’re going to do tomorrow. We had pretty much given up when we decided to browse the Hunting & Fishing New Zealand store and found a pair there. Nice, helpful and, most important, knowledgeable staff. He took their advice and didn’t regret it. Also had a great conversation with another staff member about a variety of things. A very nice experience in all. 

So now that we had the necessary equipment  it was time to head farther south to Tongariro National Park. We stopped at a lookout just south of Taupo Lake that had a view north. A sunrise or sunset shot here would be nice. Kept going till we saw the gorgeous Mount Ruapehu. Just stunning! That’s when Alain told me about a chateau at the base of the mountain. Chateau Tongariro, we had to check it out. A beautiful, 200 year old building. A scene I had never seen before, mesmerising. We were going to stay just up the road then check out the chateau but the campsite was full. We ended up finding a spot at the Discovery Lodge Tongariro. Actually, there wasn’t a spot for our camper-van but the they were very accommodating. And very helpful with details about the hike we were going on tomorrow.

And talking about tomorrow, early morning means an early night. So that’s it for day 9 my friends. Hope to see for the next video where we seem to hike Mars. Goodnight.

p.s. I always have to thank Alain for the use of some of his material. Without it, some of these videos wouldn’t make sense.