Tongariro Crossing

Wednesday, February 8th: 

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The crossing spans 19.4 kilometers or 12.05 Miles for you back home. :) Devon and I woke up at 5:15 am and hit the road at 6:40. We had a nice hour long drive down the southeastern edge of the lake. We made it to the base camp at 7:40. We had arranged for a bus to transport us to the trail head and pick us up at the end of the day. The bus picked us up at 8 and we made it to the trail about 8:20 and started on our way. It was a beautiful hike starting in the Mangatepopo Valley headed up and through the active Mt. Tangariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe and then down to the other end of the park. With rest, lunch, and photo stops it took Devon and I 7 hours to finish the whole thing. It was great to get out into the wilderness and do some good 'ol mountain climbing. The only downside was the amount of people that were hiking it alongside us and some of the people were a little bit slow. However, it was a difficult uphill climb in the beginning that would make anyone a bit tired. The landscape was beautiful and I couldn't help but hum and whistle the Lord of Rings Theme for most of the hike. I have a few favorite moments in New Zealand so far and this hike definitely makes onto the list. I think by the end of the trip I will have quiet a few added to my list. 

For my fellow map lovers

Clouds over Ngauruhoe

This should be a Northface ad. Eddie: Northface fleece, shorts, and backpack. Devon: Northface jacket, pants, and backpack. 

Desolation becomes Beauty

I really enjoy this photo.

View of Blue Lake

The Emerald Lakes

Psalm 23:4 comes to my mind, " Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

The pose

Did we mention they are active volcano's?

Camping with Alice and Audree

We left Purangi Winery on Friday February 4th with Alice and Audree who needed a ride to Taupo.  We decided to go by way of Rotorua to spend some days camping and exploring the thermal volcanic activity the town is famous for.  All the Kiwis make jokes and call it "Rotenrua" because the town smells like rotten eggs from the sulfur or "RotoVegas" because of the amount of tourism.  We got to Rotorua around 8pm.  We found a DOC(Department of Conservation) campsite along a Lake Okareka that was $8 a person/night.  We ended up camping there for two nights. The third night we slept at a campsite near the Thermal Wanderland.  It cost $18 a night but that included free access to 6 hot water pools that are sourced from a natural hot spring.  We spent the last night camping in a free campsite in Taupo called Reid's Farm. Alice and Audree slept in the car every night while Eddie and I slept in the tent. 

We spent about an hour taking pictures by leaving the lense open for about 4 minutes.  Eddie would draw things with the flash light and we tried to stay still the whole time.  It was hilarious.

The lake we camped at the first two nights

Between us 4, we had heaps of stuff

Trying to work together to pack up the tent

The first day in Rotarura we decided to check out a small free thermal park and go on a hike near some rapids.  Here are some pictures:

Hot water pool at the free thermal park

Free Shower Provided by Nature

Taking a shower in the Rapids

                                                                                            

Rafters we saw going down the rapids, something Eddie and I want to do soon

The second day we drove half way to Taupo and went to the Thermal Wonderland.  It is an area that has a lot of volcanic activity.  We rushed to get there by 10:30 am to see the geyser go off then walked the trails to all the amazing sights.

Champagne Pool

Audree, me and Alice in from of a lime green lake

Eddie loves to catch me at my best moments

Eddie and I in front of the Champagne pools

Another bright green lake

After the Thermal Wonderland we went across the street to a campsite that includes free access to hot pools they have funneling from a natural source.  We sat in hot pools the rest of the day and the next morning before driving to spot called Karosene Creek where the water fall was hot.  Then we drove to Taupo to have our next awesome experience with Craig and Cris.

One of the pools at the campsite

They run the water from the natural source down this long ramp to cool the water before going into the pools

The source of the hot water bubbling out the ground at 212 degrees F, about 98 degrees C

Steam rising from the creak through the ferns

Karosene Creek, hot waterfall for FREE!