Tongariro Northern Circuit - Day 1

New Zealand lies on a fault between two plates. This fault causes various different natural phenomena. One, as everybody knows probably, was the big earthquake which hit Christchurch the other day. Another phenomena are the volcanic activities which mainly happen on the North Island (don't ask me why they don't happen on the South Island). We went out to get a closer look at those volcanic activities and visited the Tongariro National Park in the middle of the North Island. The major characteristics are the three volcano craters, Mt Tongariro with 1967 m, Mt Ngauruhoe with 2287 m and Mt. Ruhapehu. They are located in the middle of the North Island and they are visible from a long distance away. Anyway, we did a three day hike around Mt Ngauruhoe including a climb of the peak.

Judith and Kerstin walking through town to get to the trailhead.

Mt. Ruapehu

The wind was pretty strong which made hiking hard but the views were pretty cool.

It wasn't too busy on the first day.

After 3 hours we arrived at the hut and enjoyed the sun and a cup of tea.

The huts are pretty amazing! Clean (there is a volunteering hut warden), good equipped (running rainwater, gas stove, mattresses). I have done quite a few hikes in Canada and in Europe but I have never seen a stove where you can toast bread, all gas fired. Pretty good job the DOC (Department of Conservation) does!

sunset

next day - 2nd day

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