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| Mt Raupehu, the ski mountain of the Tongariro National Park. |
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| Boardwalk over the volcanic lava flow |
It starts, the legendary Tongariro Alpine Crossing, lauded as the best one day hike in New Zealand.
Shawni and Craig had organised the transfer to the start point and we were off at 8.30am from National Park to the car park at Mangatepopo.
The weather was perfect!
The day before had been overcast with rain but we had blue skies, the visibility was so good that Mt. Taranaki was floating on the horizon 100km to the west. I was so relieved as it is a fair weather tramp and all about the scenery and grand vistas.
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| Mt Taranki on the horizon, Shawni and Craig on the path. |
The day started with an easy tramp up the Mangatepopo Valley to Soda Springs, walking over the old lava flows with great views of Mt Raupehu and Mt Ngauruhoe looming large. My nerves had settled a little as we walked across the boardwalks but then as we got to Soda Springs, the Devil's Stairway came into view - oh my.
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| It starts, the arduous Tongariro Alpine Crossing |
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| Summer grasses with golden heads. |
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