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...

When my camera was charging

Geoff is the photographer in the family...I take many fewer pictures with my thrifty side  choosing to believe I save my attempts for only the things worth recording - although with digital photography that doesn't make much sense. I headed out for a walk along the river sans camera, only to find that this time I missed it sorely. The walk went from the aptly named Sportsman's Lodge where we're staying in Turangi. The walk meanders along the Turangi river, crosses a suspension bridge, then on the opposite side climbs a bluff that allows for views of the whole area, ending with a steep switchback filled descent into town. It was a wonderful place to walk, reflect, and sort through a few things...and I learned that there has been some controversy about the plan to dam the river in 1965; there's a weeping cherry tree and a plaque explaining it all. If I had had my camera I would have had some amazing flowers (including a wild lilac), the weeping cheery tree, pictures of locals bathing in the river, a quick snap from the suspension bridge (it would have been blurry because it did bounce), a picture of our lodgings from the bluff, and pictures of the local kids jumping off the bridge at the entrance to the town. Since I didn't have my camera, I'll just have to keep these images in my mind's eye, as I have done with many others in my various journeys.

Auckland: 18kms, 27C cloudy morning, sunny breaks later...humid!

Rangitoto - Traversing Lava Flows & Meeting New Birds:

As promised, we spent the day on the volcanic island of Rangitoto climbing and walking as much of the island as we could manage in 5 hours. We took a nice little boat out to the island which gave us great views of both Auckland, the container facilities (the trucks climb past our tower all night and day...ear plugs) and later the island itself. This is for my pal David who is missing his ride presently.

The hike to the top is a short 2.5 km 1,000' climb, but as with this type of volcanic cone its steep the last third! The views....very worth it! Great climb!

I met a couple of ladies from Auckland at the top who were birders and of course we got talking about birds and stuff. Apparently Greater Auckland is home to 1 million Kiwis. The number I quoted the other day was just central Auckland. Makes sense when you see the city from a distance. 

The birds on this island are quite amazing. I'll be sending some photos to John and Robert in Germany, both avid birders. Expect some of our pals in Oz might help as well. Perhaps they can figure out what these birds are. There is a Black-Back Gull colony along the way and we were appropriately dive bombed by protective parents which added to the excitement at the end of a long hot day! Here are a few shots of the feathered critters from the day...looking like a Big Year! Six species just today!

After circling the crater we (read Annemarie) decided that we would walk across the island to Islington Bay and then back to meet our boat along the Coastal Track. She did great, but I did hear some muttering a about a cold beer when we arrived back at Auckland. It was a tough walk as we climbed over a number of lava flows and the footing was loose lava stone. Very happy to have our boots with us today! Didn't meet another soul on this route which was great...very scenic, twisted path. 

The last kilometre was pretty smooth going...we'd earned that!

Needless to say, we made it and lived to tell the tale...Annemarie will sleep well tonight! Didn't miss our boat either, last boat of the day. We did find a cold beer and a bite to eat too! It all went down very well, and in a moment I'll be putting together a light meal for dinner to go with our new bottle of NZ wine...yum! 

Tomorrow we pick up our car and drive somewhere in a generally southerly direction. No real plans, but I'm sure something of interest will pop up as we get into Hobbit country (that's a hint). There were Hobbit traps all over the island today, but they were empty. Too bad.

Museum from our humble dwelling last night. Still looking forward to star gazing Seth, and the Southern Cross. I figure that our first night of riding up by Mt Cook will be the ticket! Really looking forward to that moment...hope it's clear.