The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Happy New Year!

Normally my blogs have each incorporated a variety of hikes (and a few non-hike experiences) into one post. For this first post of 2018, I instead chose to focus on one epic hike, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. If you do one hike on New Zealand’s North Island, it should be the Tongariro Crossing. Truly a bucket-list hike, you will have plenty of company. While I did not spend a lot of time with photography this day, I did capture a few of the more memorable scenes. Enjoy!

Tongariro “Start” sign. The preferred start is the Mangatepopo Car Park, hiking generally West to East and with more descent than ascent. For once, the hike times listed were not conservative. The 20 km (12 miles) took us 7 hours, with only a few breaks.

Tongariro STOP sign. Many turned around this day as the weather was cold, misty, and windy. Be prepared for all 4 seasons on this hike, though we seemed to have missed summer…

“View” up towards the South Crater (1659 m). The hike up to the South Crater is a long, though steady, ascent.

Almost up to the South Crater, with a view back to start at Mangatepopo Car Park (1120 m). Expect lots of company, including many novice hikers. While infuriating at times, it is good to see so many younger people getting out in nature.

The Red Crater, highest point on the crossing, at 1886 meters.

Emerald Lakes, at the bottom of a fun scree descent. The sulfurous-smelling Emerald Lakes with nearby vents are a highlight for many. The dots on the left and just above the lake in this photo are hikers.

Misty weather at the Blue Lake, just before the main descent. Specks on the far right ridge line are hikers.

View down to Ketetahi car park and Lake Rotoaira.

In the forest below 900 m elevation, near the end at Ketetahi car park (760 m) after a long day.

Enjoy some great hikes this coming year. My next post, in a week or so, will highlight our South Island road trip.

Kent

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

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