T is for Tongariro Alpine Crossing: the 19.4 km done

We made it! the gang on the track.

We left the volcanic zone and golden switchbacks and entered the final stretch, the forest.
The downhill started to hurt. Uneven sections of stairs for about 3km! Achy knees for all. Shawni was strong the whole way but found this stretch monotonous. But the end of our 8 hours was close and suddenly we arrived at Ketetahi Hut.
The tramp was done. Well done Fred, Craig and Shawni.
The transport arrived and we headed back to Adventure Lodge and Motel.
Exhausted and so amazed to have completed the Crossing, not for nothing called New Zealand's best one day hike.

 Mangatetipua Stream, the track finishes through a forest.