Mount Ruapehu

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Although we stayed in Lake Taupo decided to go back South an hour and climb Mount Ruapehu, which is NZ's largest active volcano! Another early start (!) and we headed up the moutain via 2 sets of ski lifts to get half way up. From there, we climbed to 1,500 feet above sea level to the very top of the volcano, looking down on a blanket of cloud we climbed through a quarter of the way up. The altitude made our ears pop and also made us short of breath, but it was fabulous looking down the mountain and across the area.

On the way down, we took a different route, and walk/skidded/sledged down one of the glaciers. It was pretty impossible to walk on the icey snow even with walking boots on so we got out carrier bags and skidded down on our bums!! Still had a good walk down on the rocks, but cut out some of the labour!!

Headed to Rotorou straight after the walk, checked into the only themed hostel in the area (Mexican - yeah!) and relaxed watching a movie.

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