Tongariro Alpine Crossing: 20kms, Sunny, blue sky, 4-17C in Alpine, 26Clower down, very high UV!

Crossing An Active Volcano! Amazing!!

I'm not quite sure where to begin with this post? It was an amazing day and so much happened that that it went from amazing to outstanding! I know that nothing I write will do this journey justice, but I'll do my best. 

Up and away at 5:30 this morning...that was tough, but we were both excited and the adrenaline was running somewhere. We drove through the dark at high speed to catch our transfer bus which took us to the beginning of the walk...no, this can only be referred to as a climb. Our car parked at the end for access when we complete. This shot was taken out the open window of the rickety bus as we approached our jump off. This could count as your sunrise...

A view like that can get things moving inside your head pretty quickly!! We knew we had something special just ahead of us. I took 220 photos today, so I'll do my best after a brilliant dinner (made by yours truly) the better part of a bottle of wine and a couple of beer to select appropriately.  Our bus driver was very clear before were allowed out of the bus that this is an active volcanic zone and that we had best watch the lights and turn back immediately if they changed, otherwise we would, "likely be dead" was how he put it. Kind of gets your attention!

So off we set at 7:15 on what was to become a most memorable day. With the low cloud early on, it looked pretty tame...

But as the sun began to warm the air and the clouds began to disburse we could glimps what was in store ahead. By the way, this is your morning sunrise.

A few photos across the plane to the first climb.

Then we climbed.

And climbed,

And climbed.

Until we reached a volcanic plain which was a bit of a relief for all concerned...

And then there it was...Mt. Doom. The Mt. Doom. Used in the LOTR movies....

Sorry, couldn't help it...a shadow Camino type photo....here is the mountain.

No Gollum, but it was still pretty cool and active too! This is the top....note the vents.

We admired things for a while...took a few more photos with a Dutch couple we'd met several times during the past week...

Then we began to climb yet again...very amazing climb complete with chains to pull yourself up....very steep, long fall should one misstep. This shot is from one third of the way up climb two as I waited for Annemarie.

Annemarie's asthma was troubling her a bit, and there were a group waiting for her to arrive at the cole where she received a warm cheer and hand clap as she arrived...pretty special! Did I mention that we were amoung the oldest hikers? Most were in their 20s and 30s...lots of testosterone!

 Then the climb continued and the views continued to improve...

Back towards the plain.

The climbing continued and it just was better and better...

Then on up to the summit...

Then the lakes...so cool!

The descent was an adventure, but if you just sat back and sort of  pretended to ski, it worked out rather well. That's Annemarie scooting down...steep and fast! I helped a young woman at the bottom who had fallen and partially dislocated her shoulder. Fortunately it popped back in then we fashioned a sling and off she went with her friends. 

Looking ahead towards the next plain, next climb and last lake before the last climb and final two to three hour descent.

View back from the last lake. You can see where we descended and crossed before climbing again.

Imagine...there were a few flowers in this high, barren environment.

It was a bit more serious from here on...

But moments of humour too! Note the outhouses in the back ground behind this sign...

Good advice as the hiking hut that these facilities supported was destroyed two years ago during the last eruption! There are craters from the volcanic projectiles all around this area. So a short stay in the facilities it was!!

Last eruption site just over Annemarie's shoulder.

Dutch friends...

The long hike down...

Then libations!!! Annemarie did so well...stubborn Dutch the couple from the Nederlands and I decided!  We hope to connect with them next year in the Nederlands if our plans all come together.

Tomorrow is Valentines Day here on this side of the planet, so we will retire to a more upscale abode, do laundry, take a long walk along the lake and go out for a nice dinner...the whole town was pretty much booked up for the weekend, so a splurge at a nice resort for the night...no communal cooking or toilet!! Then we head south...