![\"Lake](\"http:\/\/www.warrenwilliams.co.nz\/2010\/FEB_0105.jpg\" "\\"Lake")
<\/a>\nLake Taupo from the southern end<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Arriving at the Mangatepopo carpark, we were now ready to tackle the 19.4km long mountain crossing.<\/p>\n The camera was put away for the next 45min as we climbed the Mangatepopo Saddle<\/p>\n Following the Saddle, we drop again, in the enormous South Crater of Tongariro, before climbing one of the ridges offering great views<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFirst sight of Tongariro coming from Taupo and Turangi<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nBayview Chateau Tongariro (nestled on Mt Ruapehu)<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nBayview Chateau Golf Course – New Zealand’s highest course<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nRoad tripping with Mark, who previously ascended Cradle Mountain, Tasmania with me<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFrom one of the stream crossings driving up Mt Ruapehu<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nZooming upwards on Mt Ruapehu – North Island’s tallest mountain and volcano, at 2,797 metres<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nAmazing light being filtered around Ruapehu<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nDefining ridge lines on Ruapehu<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nVarious volcanic rocks and high altitude plants<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSunrise over Mt Doom<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSunrise from National Park \/ SH47 intersection<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nAmazing New Zealand Beauty<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFirst steps along the 19.4km long Tongariro CrossingThe intital track starts deceptively easy!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nGreat view of Mt Ngauruhoe<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe final 1km stretch leading to the saddle, connecting Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.
\nThis section was the hardest, with a steep incline, and noticeable difference in breathing<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSheer cliffs, along the ridge<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nClimbing out of the South Crater, with cloud cover blocking one side of the mountainside<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n360 degree panoramic from the additional Tongariro Summit walk<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nView looking down to the Emerald Lakes and Red Crater<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nView down the fun scree slope, with Blue Lake in the backdrop (perfect place to moon jump)<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nOne of the Emerald Lakes, caused from leaching minerals<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nTongariro Emerald Lakes<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFurther views of the Emerald Lakes, with steam rising from the ridge<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nLow cloud cover at the Ketetahi Hut (well, over 1,400m isn’t exactly low!)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nAnd away with the camera it was, as the rain came down for our last hours walk downhill.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nDusk over Mt Ruapehu and the winding highway<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nLake Rotopounamu<\/p>\n