Lake Taupo was a nice stop for two days. The lake is huge and there are some good bars and restaurants right on the lakefront. I was able to watch the Cowboys first playoff game when they beat the Eagles, so that was a HUGE bonus (they hadn’t shown a game on TV all season). Overall, there wasn’t too much to do, but it wasn’t a bad place to spend a day.
Next I headed to Turangi. The sole purpose of stopping here was to get as close to the Tongariro Crossing as I could without being in the National Park. The hostel I stayed at was incredible…Riverstone Backpackers. It was very small but definitely the cleanest I’ve been in. I met a girl from France my first night and we booked our shuttle for the next day in and out of the park and decided to hike together. She was fun and a great person to hike 21 kilometers with!
The Tongariro Crossing was not an easy hike, especially with the conditions we had. It was incredibly windy and cold. We saw lots of ice and snow and even got some precip on our way down the backside. The volcanoes were smoking all around us at the peak, which made for an incredible setting. However, it was sooo cold and windy we kept hiking and hiking and hiking. The two of us finally got to a hut that provided a bit of shelter for lunch. The hike down was equally tough but much warmer! If you are on the north island and are looking for a hike to do, don’t leave with out doing the Tongariro Crossing. The multi-day hike is the Northern Circuit and includes the crossing.
Jeff,
Great shot. Love the view of the snow capped peak. Look’s like all is well way out there!
By: Robert on February 15, 2010
at 1:02 pm
Sounds like you hit the same sort of weather that we had on Tongariro just before Christmas…but at least you got one great shot in! Happy tramping!
http://richardtulloch.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/the-worlds-greatest-one-day-hike/
By: Richard Tulloch on March 28, 2010
at 8:16 am