Tongariro Crossing April 07

Edit (25-o2-2009): According to my SiteMeter most of my hits are people searching for info on doing the Crossing in April. So, for you peoples who have arrived at my blog because of this, here are some links to help you out :)

http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/ - good site on general info with a forum to post your questions

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/tongariro-taupo/ruapehu-area/tongariro-alpine-crossing/ - Department of Conservation information on the Crossing, including what weather conditions to expect, what gear to take and how to be prepared. It is not called and "alpine" crossing for nothing. Please respect the mountain and take heed of their advice!

http://www.thetongarirocrossing.co.nz/ - this is the shuttle we used. there are loads of transport options available, these are just one option. Their website has some fairly useful info on it as well.

Accommodation: Of course I'm not going to even try listing all the accommodation options, but the closest places to stay are Whakapapa Village, National Park and Ohakune. Note that these are very small localities and can book out in peak season (especially during the ski season, which runs from around beginning of July to the end of October). There are more options available at Turangi and Taupo, which are still within about an hour or so of the starting point. Handy tip: if you want to soak your tired aching bones afterwards, aim to stay in Taupo ;)

Enjoy!

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On the weekend, Nadene and I went and did the Tongariro Crossing in the middle of the North Is, reputably NZ's best day walk. To say it was challenging would be an understatement for us, but we are so pleased to have done it, even if we couldn't walk the next day...

Bottom of Mt Ngauruhoe, after climbing the Devil's Ladder

Steep! (and a tiny patch of snow)

Note how steep Mt Ngauruhoe is behind me!

Hmm, now do we get down from here....!

AKA Mt Doom. We made it as far as the red rocks near the top before we ran out of time to do reach the summit... :(

Mt Tongariro from Mt Ngauruhoe

Nadene and I, top of Red Crater looking across to Mt Ngauruhoe

Top of Red Crater.

Emerald Lakes.

Nadene by and Emerald Lake

Looking across Central Crater to the Red Crater.

Reaching the last of the climbs.

Yay we made the last bus home!

Back from Oz

Hi all, long time no post I know. Been flat out with work and just got back from a 2 week stint in Oz. Apologies to those I missed out on catching up on!! Flew to Brisbane first where I stayed with the family for the weekend. Timed it so I could attend Kel & Dan's engagement party. It was awesome to see them so happy, and also to catch up with Matene & Mel (and her partner Bear) at the same time. After many Toohey's Olds, we ended back at Kel & Dan's house playing bocce from the light of the moon in their backyard. Somehow I managed to step in dog poo (this was no easy feat - as far as I know they don't even have a dog?!), I can't even manage to be a lady-like for one night!! Thanks to mum for cleaning my heels in the morning (while I was still in bed) and to Matene for bringing the bocce set!

The happy couple.

Marine Biology reunion.

Why does my brother have better hair than me?!

A not-so-dignified Oscar sporting his collar after nasty run in with the fence (?!).

After Brissie I flew on to Adelaide to complete a gruelling 2 weeks of parasite counting. Lizzie kindly let me camp at her place. Honestly, I don't know how I would've got it done without her - many thanks for running around after me, keeping me motivated, helping me out in the lab, keeping me well fed and taking me out diving!! She made sure I was in at uni by 8am every day (except Good Friday when we got in at 9!) and because of that I managed to squeeze 2 dives in with my favourite dive club. It was awesome to go down to Marion Bay on the Yorke Peninsula, camp out with the club (I'd forgotten how much I like camping!) and dive with the NZ fur seals (ironic I was diving with NZ fur seals in Australia...?!).

I really enjoyed being back in Adelaide and catching up with people and generally slotting right back into the university lifestyle. I felt like a real tourist, gawking at the emu's at Innes National Park and the various parrots (rosellas, galahs, lorikeets and corellas) in the parklands on the way to uni! The cute little ringtail possums were a welcome change to the feral brushtails NZ has to deal with. All in all it was an refreshing if hectic visit and I'm looking forward to heading back in the near future, hopefully for the final draft and hand in!