The Tongariro Northern Circuit
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Following an amazing day out with Black Water Rafting where we fiddled around in caves with glo-worms and a spot of waterfall climbing we decided it was time to head out into the hills. And what a finer set of hills than the volcanic wonders of the Tongariro National Park.
A 2 1/2 day circuit where we started from Whakapapa. The first night (end of half day) gave an amazing creaking hut and sunset over Mt Egmont (Taranaki) which was good cos the 3 hour walk had offered little in changing views and to be fair was a bit of a trudge. Most people seem to miss this part taking advanatge of the shuttle services on offer. Day 2 was a monster 8 hour special over the Tongaririo crossing (Jo isn't sitting on a stick!!) and then heading south past snow-scapes, emerald lakes, frozen lakes, parts of the moon, or at least they appeared that way, mini-tornadoes and down to another hut. Where we relaxed to the sound of german conversation. Day 3 the weather turned. And boy did it turn. We got fully soaked on our 5 hour trip back to Whakapapa with wind, snow rain and other sorts of weather that we didn't know existed. Quite an experience but not an unusual one for an Evans trip to the mountains and we later proved at Huxley Forks.
A great trip in a beaut place. Highly recommended.