Official Log

DAY ONE (April 2)

Weather – fine, light winds, little cloud and sunny.

Depart Cambridge @ 4.15am for the National Park, breakfast at Turangi
Arrive at our destination – Mangatepopo Road end @ 8.15am. Leave packs people and pre-trip hype.
Deliver vehicles to Whakapapa village for safe parking, catch return bus ride back to the road end.

And our hike begins at 9.45 from the Mangatepopo Road end (1130 meters).
Easy start tramping alongside the Mangatepopo stream, short stop at the Mangatepopo Hut, then press on to the Soda Springs (1350 meters), arriving 11.45am.
From this point on the climb begins from the Soda Springs up onto the South Crater saddle (1660 meters) – arriving at our destination at 12.45am and lunch.
After lunch (1.45pm). Michael, Michael, Paul, Craig & myself, leave the overnight gear and the remaining people and press onto summit of Tongariro (1967 meters) via the Tongariro crossing track and the ridge walk, arriving at the Summit at 3.15pm and 45 minutes rest. Then return to main group 5.00pm and set up camp, dine and settle in for the night.

DAY TWO (April 3)

Weather – morning cloud (engulfing South Crater), afternoon cloudy and warm.

After breakfast (9.00am) Michael, Michael, Paul, Stephen, Ryan, Bryce, Craig & myself depart base camp an begin our journey to the summit of Ngauruhoe.
What a climb, loose scree, low cloud, poor visibility and no easy bits until we reach the top
At (11.15am) we reach our goal, Mount Ngauruhoe (2297 meters) and what a view (between cloud), the Desert Road, Tama Lakes and our next challenge Mount Ruapehu.
After a rest and trip around the crater rim we begin descent at (12.45) and quickly learn how to scree ski back down to base camp at (1.15pm) lot easier than going up.
Lunch, break camp and set off for the Mangatepopo Road end at (3.00pm)
Each individual or group of individuals traveled at their own speed – target the Mangatepopo Hut and Road end. All arriving at (4.50pm).
Departed for our new camp site (5.20pm).
Set up camp at a roadside stopping point above the Toakura Falls – good campsite, good sleep.

DAY THREE (April 4)

Weather – fine, light cloud, light wind and sunny.

Breakfast, break camp and set off (9.00am) for base of our next challenge, Mount Ruapehu.

Leave vehicles at the top of the Bruce Road (1630 meters).

Boots on, packs with food, water and clothing packed, Michael, Michael, Paul, Stephen, Ryan, Bryce, Mark, Robyn, Craig & myself climb aboard the chairlifts and take the easy way to Knoll Ridge café (2000 meters).

Begin the real stuff as we begin to climb at (10.15pm) .

Make good progress up and over Restful Ridge, alongside the glacier and Lahar flow paths to reach our destination Dome Hut Shelter (2672 meters) at (12.15pm), regroup, lunch, waver the challenge of reaching our true summit Tahurangi, look into the crater lake and prepare to depart at (2.00pm).

Each individual or group of individuals traveled downward at their own speed until we reached the Knoll Ridge Café at (3.15pm), we all then board the chairlifts for our return trip down to the vehicles.

After the stories, loosing the gear in the back of each wagon and topping up on food and drink we depart for the Tokaanu Oasis Camp ground and their beautiful hot pools for the night.