hot, hot, hot

On Wednesday, I fulfilled an ambition and did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing - the "best one day walk in New Zealand" with Taupo Trampers.  To be absolutely accurate, we didn't actually do the whole crossing from end to end. To avoid the crowds on the main track, we struck off and went up Hardman's Ridge  to the top of Mount Tongariro where we had lunch, before walking round the rim of South Crater to Red Crater and on to the Highest point of the main Crossing to join the crowds!!  We then followed the main track back to our minibus.  The temperature was about 24 degrees and views were STUNNING.  While I may not have done the whole crossing, we did do 16km (the crossing distance is 19km) with a lot of height gain (to 1968 metres)and boulder clambering at the top.  A wonderful walk in wonderful conditions.

The map of the walk:

The group at the start:

 Me with Mt Ngauruhoe in the background

 The Emerald Lakes from the highest point on the crossing

 Me at the summit of Mt Tongariro

 View down to the South Crater