Roam Relax Repeat

February 20, 2020

Feb 19

Travel day, moved from Roturua to Lake Taupo area. While in Taupo we hoped to hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing – a 20 km alpine trek across a volcanic landscape in Tongariro National Park. Interesting fun fact, the trail was closed in the winter of 2012 due to an eruption and lava flow! Anyway, en route to we stopped for a few hours in Taupo, which is at the north end of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. We decided to stretch our legs and enjoy a river walk to Haku Falls (after stopping for coffee and treats in Taupo). The hike was picturesque and most of it was high enough above the water to have an excellent view of the crystal clear, fast flowing river above the falls. The falls are actually more of a chute, about 400 meters in length with a 10 or 15 meter drop at the end. Lots of people at the falls – beautiful day and hot…28 C. After the hike we went for a dip at a spot close to the car park that offered another hot / cold swimming option, so many thermal streams. We enjoyed a hot / cold dip before heading back to the car and continuing to Turangi, a small but quaint town at the south end of Lake Taupo. We found a quiet campsite that allows for a short early morning drive to the shuttle pickup for the Tongariro Crossing hike Thursday morning.

Feb 20

Woke up at 6 am, not a cloud in the sky – perfect for our Tongariro Alpine Crossing attempt. Had a quick breakfast and coffee and headed for the designated shuttle pickup which also is the trail end for the hike, so if all goes as planned, we finish the hike and walk to the van. Lots of cars and vans at the shuttle parking. Apparently on busy days there can be as many as 3000 hikers on the trail. We found our shuttle, as there are a number of companies that offer the service and we were on our way to the trail head. Once at the trail head, we realized we wouldn’t be hiking alone! We got off the bus and got going, knowing that as we made our way up the trail, hikers would get dispersed and it wouldn’t feel overcrowded – and that’s basically what happened. The hike was amazing and challenging. The elevation gain is close to 4,000 feet and it is a pretty long trek measuring 20 km. We both took lots of pictures and enjoyed the amazing topography and enjoyed moving along with our fellow trampers. In all it took us a little over 6 hours to do the hike, our feet were feeling it a bit and it the van was a welcome sight after a great day of tramping! We rewarded ourselves back at camp with showers, drinks and a great meal. Quiet evening, not much going down at the campsite – read for awhile and then hit the hay.