29.12.2019 Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, another thing on our to-do list.

Today, about 20 km and 6.5 hours later, we made it :-).

This hike was by far the most impressive one we have done so far in New Zealand, and it even took us through active volcanic rock!

Last night, we booked the shuttle because we needed to be driven from the end of the track to the start, unless we wanted to walk nearly 40 km...

Originally, we wanted to take the shuttle at 8:30 am, but due to poor internet connection, that time was already fully booked during the loading process.

Our shuttle left at 7:30 am, so we had to be there at 7 am. And since we Germans like to be 15 minutes early, we were able to take the shuttle at 7 am. We were driven for half an hour to the start of the track, and then we were off.

The first section was rather flat until we reached the 'Devils Staircase'. From there, it took us about 1 hour of climbing stairs uphill to reach the first crater.. with a few breaks, of course, we made it. Then it became a bit flatter again, with a view of the Red Crater.

After the second flat section, we had to hike through scree to reach the Emerald Lakes, and then we had to hike through scree again to descend.. if you only wear sneakers here, you're in trouble.

From the Emerald Lakes, we then went to the Blue Lake, and from there, the 10 km descent followed, which felt like it would never end.

Once we arrived at the car, we drove to Burger King and then found a nice campsite by the lake, where we will probably stay for the next two days.

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