02.08.10

Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Conquering Mt Doom

Posted in Landscape, Nature, People, Travel at 4:52 pm by Warren Williams

My friends and I decided we needed a larger challenge to conquer, than just a small Waitakere bush walk. We’d been talking about re walking the great Tongariro Crossing over the past couple of summers, but only just managed to put into action. Road trip ahead, as we tested Pete’s new wagon. We bunked down in National Park for two nights, whilst spending much of the time trekking over the mountains of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom), and Ruapehu.

Lake Taupo from the southern end

First sight of Tongariro coming from Taupo and Turangi

Bayview Chateau Tongariro (nestled on Mt Ruapehu)

Bayview Chateau Golf Course – New Zealand’s highest course

Road tripping with Mark, who previously ascended Cradle Mountain, Tasmania with me

From one of the stream crossings driving up Mt Ruapehu

Zooming upwards on Mt Ruapehu – North Island’s tallest mountain and volcano, at 2,797 metres

We parked late in the evening at the Bruce carpark, and found the place deserted. Free roam of the mountain! We ventured up around 1km up the rocky slopes, as the temperature quickly dropped.

Strangely, the clouds around us descended beyond our elevation, revealing the glowing sunset across the west. Was quite amazing to witness a sunset with a cloud base lower down.

Amazing light being filtered around Ruapehu

Defining ridge lines on Ruapehu

Various volcanic rocks and high altitude plants

The following morning, we had to wake at the crack of dawn to catch the shuttle to the start of the great Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Witnessing an amazing sunrise across all three mountains certainly made it worthwhile.

Sunrise over Mt Doom

Sunrise from National Park / SH47 intersection

Amazing New Zealand Beauty

Arriving at the Mangatepopo carpark, we were now ready to tackle the 19.4km long mountain crossing.

First steps along the 19.4km long Tongariro CrossingThe intital track starts deceptively easy!

Great view of Mt Ngauruhoe

The final 1km stretch leading to the saddle, connecting Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.
This section was the hardest, with a steep incline, and noticeable difference in breathing

The camera was put away for the next 45min as we climbed the Mangatepopo Saddle

Following the Saddle, we drop again, in the enormous South Crater of Tongariro, before climbing one of the ridges offering great views

Sheer cliffs, along the ridge

Climbing out of the South Crater, with cloud cover blocking one side of the mountainside

360 degree panoramic from the additional Tongariro Summit walk

View looking down to the Emerald Lakes and Red Crater

View down the fun scree slope, with Blue Lake in the backdrop (perfect place to moon jump)

One of the Emerald Lakes, caused from leaching minerals

Tongariro Emerald Lakes

Further views of the Emerald Lakes, with steam rising from the ridge

Low cloud cover at the Ketetahi Hut (well, over 1,400m isn’t exactly low!)

And away with the camera it was, as the rain came down for our last hours walk downhill.

Dusk over Mt Ruapehu and the winding highway

The following morning we made the short walk to to the lovely Lake Rotopounamu – an easy walk, however we were all suffering from fatigue and muscle pains after a full day of walking the previous day.

Lake Rotopounamu

Mark, chilled out

The drive home was non eventful, although we did try our luck at the Hole in One challenge on Lake Taupo. Out of 25 balls, I managed to land 6 very close to the hole on the floating pontoon, 102metres out.

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