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Tongariro Crossing and Taupo
The Tongariro Crossing is said to be one of the best one-day hikes in the world. It's an all-day hike over the Central Volcanoes through the Ketatahi Springs and past the Emerald Lakes. After a day in the scrub, a scenic drive away from the volcanoes and up to Lake Taupo. A night in Taupo. Perhaps a massage at the spa?
Wednesday, December 12
Proposed Schedule
6:00am Leave National Park Village
6:30am Begin the Crossing
4:30pm Leave Tongariro
6:00pm Arrive Taupo
7:00pm Spa?
Alternate Schedule
The Tongariro Crossing may be undesirable due to last-minute weather conditions...
9:00am Leave Skotel
10:00am Arrive Taupo... Spa?
The Tongariro Crossing
Tongariro Expeditions can provide transportation between the Skotel. In the summer months there is no need for a guide as the trail is well-worn and well-marked. The shuttle must be booked the day before the excursion...
Neubauer's Diary of Tongariro Crossing hike
Mountain Shuttle (claims to have access to the private land for Ketatahi Springs)
Tongariro Crossing (Wikipedia entry)
Mangatepopo Car Park to Soda Springs
Grade: Easy - allow 1 - 1 and a half hours
Your transport will drop you off at the Mangatepopo carpark and the first section you cover is fairly flat, the track is well formed and board walked in damper parts, poles mark the way. About 15 minutes from the car park the track to Whakapapa branches off to the right. Five minutes after this junction a side track leads left to the Mangatepopo Hut, and toilet facilities.
The main track continues up the valley following the Mangatepopo stream and around the edge of old lava flows.
You will notice the change in plants as you climb in altitude, the last toilet stop is at Soda Springs until you get to the Ketetahi Hut.
Soda Spring to South Crater
Grade: Moderate – Difficult allow 40 minutes to an hour
This section is steep - climbing from 1400 up to 1600 metres above sea level (known as the devils staircase) Take your time and on a clear day the view down the valley and out across the surrounding countryside is well worth it! You may even see Mt Taranaki, another volcano on the western horizon.
Take care as you are walking over layers of ancient and modern lava flows and other volcanic debits so the track surface is not smooth. The track veers slightly to the left 5 minutes before reaching South Crater. To continue on the Crossing follow the marked route.
If Mt Ngauruhoe is clear and you have a beautiful day with plenty of time, you can make the decision to climb to the summit. Head for the old lava flow as it is very difficult if you try to climb up the scree.
From Tongariro Expeditions:
http://www.thetongarirocrossing.co.nz/tongariro.htm
Equipment Checklist
• raincoat
• polar fleece jacket
• day pack
• over trousers
• sunscreen & sunglasses
• hiking boots or strong shoes
• camera
• food & water
• warm clothes
Weather in Tongariro National Park can be extremely changeable, so be prepared. Expect temperatures: Summer 5 to 35C Winter -5 to 10C
FAQ's
1. How fit do you have to be to do the crossing?
This is the most asked and most difficult question to answer, everybody has a differing idea on how fit they are, we say to think about what you are going to be doing and do you think you could cope with it. You will be hiking all day for 17kms up and over a mountain, you are the only one that can answer that question, keeping that in mind, we have never had anyone not make it.
2. What equipment do I need to bring?
Just remember that you are going into the mountains and that you should be prepared just in case, even on a fine day it can rain or even snow without warning. It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Please be aware that conditions can be extremely different to the weather forecast so you must be prepared for all weather conditions.
From AA's 101 Must-Do's for Kiwis
http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101-must-dos-for-kiwis/index.php
#20 - Tongariro Crossing
Walking the heritage line
It's said to be the best one-day hike in New Zealand! Taking between seven and eight hours to complete, the Tongariro Crossing is a 17-kilometre track going from one side of our World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park to the other.
The views at the top are awesome. On a fine day, you can see Lake Taupo and even Taranaki 40 kilometres away.
As you cross the saddle between Tongariro and Ngauruhoe you'll see lava flows, springs, steam vents, volcanic craters, emerald-coloured lakes, tussock slopes and, on the descent, hardwood forests rich in bird life.
Although it's not a difficult walk, one section is pretty strenuous and it's very important to take protection for all weathers.
The track can be traversed in either direction, but the easiest and most popular route starts at the western end through the Mangatepopo Valley.
You will also get a lot more from this experience through a local guide, learning about the wonderful legends and traditions that make our very first national park so culturally significant.
If you can't manage the walk, there's the option of experiencing the awesome splendour of Tongariro National Park from the comfort of a helicopter or fixed-wing scenic flight.
From: "Jared Thomas" <info@tongariroexpeditions.com>
Subject: Re: Tongariro Crossing questions
Date: October 18, 2007 6:42:16 PM EDT
To: "Marshall McPeek"
hey there
to book just ask at skotel as we do there work for them, we only take bookings the day prior as all trips are weather dependant, its that easy. also at that time of the yea transport services are only required, fingers crossed for good weather.
Jared Thomas
Director
Tongariro Expeditions
Bookings 07 377 0435
Websites
Mount Ngauruhoe (Wikipedia entry)
Mount Ruapehu (Wikipedia entry)
Mount Tongariro (Wikipedia entry)
The Tongariro Crossing Track
From Tongariro Crossing.org
http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz
The crossing spans the length of Mt Tongariro (17 Kilometres) and takes about 7-9 hours. You start from the Mangatepopo Valley and walk over towards the Ketetahi road end as this will minimize the climbing involved. You need to arrange transport to the beginning of the trek and pick from the end of the day with your accommodation provider in National Park Village.
South Crater to Red Crater
Grade: Moderate – Difficult allow 1 hour
It is great to be on the flat, but once you have crossed South Crater there is another short climb on an exposed ridge. The track follows the ridge to Red Crater.
If you have plenty of time you can make the decision to summit Tongairo, just before reaching the crater, the route heads off to the left.
The main track continues around Red Crater. You have spectacular views over the Oturere Valley, Rangipo Desert, Kaimanawa Ranges and down to the emerald lakes, but it can be a little scary on a windy day.
Red Crater to Blue Lake
Grade: Moderate 30 minutes
Care is required with the descent from Red Crater, as this part of the track is steep and you are on loose scoria which can move under foot.
To the left you will see an old lava flow from Red Crater spreading out across the floor of central crater. To the right are the Emerald Lakes. The colour is caused by minerals leached from the surrounding rock. The steam vents above the lake are responsible for the sulphurous smell.
You will notice the Track to Otureree Hut, part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, branches off just past the lowest lake. The Tongariro Crossing track follows around the edge of Central Crater then climbs up to Blue Lake (A cold acidic lake)
The lake is tapu (sacred) and it is disrespectful to eat or drink around its shores.
Blue Lake to Ketetahi Hut
Grade Moderate - 1 hour
A short easy climb to the edge of North Crater, this was once filled with molten lava and then cooled and solidified to give an level surface more than 1000m wide.
You have a sensational change in your outlook, in good weather there are spectacular views out over Mt Pihanga and Lake Rotoaira to Lake Taupo.
You then zigzag your way down to the Ketetehai Hut, the ground can be quite boggy and the pumice base is easily eroded - please stay on the main track.
Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi Car Park
Grade: Moderate - two hours
The track crosses the stream that flows down from Keteahi Springs, the rocks are stained by minerals in the water. Visitors are asked not to leave the track, as the springs are on private land.
You will need to follow the poled route down through the open tussock land to the clearing with some seats. At this point the track drops steeply to the Mangatetipua Stream.
A short side track leads down to a waterfall a few minutes before reaching the car park.
The 2007 Excursion |
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