Pictures taken on the Tongariro Crossing on January 22nd, 2006.
The track is regarded as one of the finest one-day walks in New Zealand and traverses the active volcanic fields of Tongariro National Park. The track ascends the volcanoes on the western side and climbs up the aptly named Devil's Staircase (hands and feet required) before passing the slopes of Mt. Ngauruhoe and crossing South Crater. Another steep climb towards the summit of Red Crater takes the track to it's highest point, after which you descend to Central Crater. The track exits the volcanic field on the north and passes by Ketatahi Springs before meandering through the lush forest on the gentle northern slope.
The track is beautiful and spectacular, but can also be very crowded due to its popularity. Scenes for "The Lord of the Rings" where filmed in this park, and walking through the thick mist in a familiar landscape, surrounded by busloads of other people I could not see, there was a general feeling of "Sam, I think we're not alone!"
On the day I visited the morning started out cold and cloudy. In South Crater temperatures dropped further to around freezing (there was some ice forming on my wool cap), with a strong wind and an average visibility of no more than 30 feet, and I was very happy that there were brightly colored snowmarkers to guide me through the featureless and barren landscape. The track passes right by Mt. Ngauruhoe, but the entire mountain remained completely invisible behind the clouds for the entire journey. I did not see a glimpse of it until I was back in Taupo, enjoying the sunset. Visibility was reduced even more when I climbed up towards the summit of Red Crater, and this time I couldn't even see the mountain I was standing on, let alone the huge crater that was several feet next to me. I didn't have many chances to bring out my camera until I arrived at Emerald Lakes, where having passed the highest point, the weather cleared up considerably. The clouds dispersed and made way for the summer sun, and at Ketatahi Hut, people where sitting in shirts enjoying a rest beneath clear blue skies.