Lake Taupo & Tongariro

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Forgot to include photo of giant sand dunes in last blog so have attached it here as they were so stunning.

Saturday 7 Feb. Had a good journey to Tongariro National Park (the roads are so quiet here). Had a stop at Lake Taupo on the way - a wonderful vibrant place very much a holiday centre with so much happening on Lake Taupe - however kept going as we were heading for a fully serviced DOC (Depart of Conservation) site at Whakapapa Village in the heart of the NP. It took about 1hr to drive down one side of Lake Taupo(!) and then a further half an hour heading upwards to the site which is great - full of very fit active people - so of course we settled in really well!

Decided to ‘do’ the Tongariro Alpine Crossing tramp the next day (6 - 8 hrs walk) - apprehensively got some of our kit ready before early to bed. Sun 8th - 8.00am rucksacs ready got on minibus for 20 min drive to Mangarepopo Hut our starting point - cloudless sky and very hot. It was a steep old climb up to the saddle between Tongariro & Mt Ngauruhoe - we both got a bit breathless due to altitude and steepness of climb. Using binocs you could see some hardy souls climbing to the peak of Mt Ngauruhoe (2287M). Crossed an almost desert like crater floor en route to the Red Crater (1886M) the enormity of the volcanic crater and the colour was completely stunning - another tramper had it summed up when he just muttered ‘Holy Moses’.
On reaching the peak we then made a steep descent through deep scree on a not terribly wide track - bit tricky! Down below we got our first view of the Emerald Lakes - and they truly were Emerald in colour - down past the lakes over another incline before passing the dazzling Blue Lake. Started the long descent stopping briefly at the Ketetahi Hut for a drink of water and a bite to eat. It was now scorching hot and the long, long descent was hard on knees, thighs and hips - 1.5 hours until we reach Ketetahi car park where we would be collected by the mini bus.Eventually made it - very tired but elated that we had done it as the average age must have been early/mid 20’s!!

Monday 9th - a quietish day went into Taupo, had a lovely lunch, drove up to see the Huka Falls which was a glorious torrent of aqua-marine water - there is just so much to see the problem is what to leave out. On our way back to the camp it began raining (our first rain since being in NZ) Not sure if we will stay another day or move on - will see what tomorrow brings.

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Photos

McDonalds DC3
Amazing what you can do with an old Dakota!!

Comments

[Fra]

I am impressed
Well done both. What a fab time you are having. Take care of yourselves and each other. Miss you. xx

[Steve W]

Hello
What an amazing walk. Pics look great very jealous. Off to get some travel brochures!