During my time in Taupo (middle of the North island) I went for a hike at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Or I should call it 'tramping' like the New Zealanders. It is known as the BEST one day hike in NZ. This is no leisurely tramp. Its 19.4 km and with an incline of 2,400 ft! It should take you 7 hours to complete - I did it in 5 hours. You hike through 2 craters full of barren areas, lots of rock and the vegetation varied throughout. Somehow, the last 4km you hike through a tropical jungle???
The brochure they give you states things like this:
"Please do not walk too close to the edge of the Crater
because if you fall in you will not come out"
because if you fall in you will not come out"
"This section is called Devil's Staircase,
you will find out why we call it this when you get there."
you will find out why we call it this when you get there."
"This section can be scary when the winds are strong as you may get pushed around or even find you may need to be on your hands and knees"
....oh yes, I would call this extreme hiking.
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| Approaching the highest point, (Red Crater) the skies were clear and beautiful. Then......... |
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| .....as you move to the other side of Red Crater, the clouds start rolling in...... The visibility becomes very minimal and it gets windy and cold!. Its like being in a horror film when you look behind and you can barely make out an image in the fog that's coming towards you. Sorry, this is a quick 360 for those who have weak stomachs. |
