Tongariro Crossing
Jan 3rd, 2006, 03:12 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tongariro Crossing
I've read many books which say that the 10 mile Tongariro Crossing Hike is the best in the country. Any 1st hand opinons?
Keep in mind my wife is not a big hiker. Is this hike for the frequent hiker/nature enthusiast only? Or is the "casual traveller" capable and interested in the hike as well?
Also, any recommendations on lodging? We'll probably be in Napier/Hawke's Bay the day before. Can we leave early am from Napier, or should we stay overnight at/near Tongariro? Books said first come first serve)
Thanks,
Clark
Keep in mind my wife is not a big hiker. Is this hike for the frequent hiker/nature enthusiast only? Or is the "casual traveller" capable and interested in the hike as well?
Also, any recommendations on lodging? We'll probably be in Napier/Hawke's Bay the day before. Can we leave early am from Napier, or should we stay overnight at/near Tongariro? Books said first come first serve)
Thanks,
Clark
Jan 4th, 2006, 03:32 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Clark
the 1-day crossing is a sensational walk in good weather, and a slog in bad weather so it's worth planning a few days around the National Park to ensure you get a good day. It's manageable by anyone who can walk round a golf course (the 3-day and 5-day walks are for the more hard-core trampers)
There are optional side walk/scrambles up Mt Ngauruhoe (which is tough) and Mt Tongariro (which is relatively easy) that your wife may want to give a miss to.
Basically you have no chance of making it from Napier in the morning. It's a 4-5 hour drive, the walk is much better done in the morning (the clouds roll over the mountaun tops in the afternoon) and the walk is not a loop so you have to get back to where you left your car.
Whakapapa village or National Park are the best accommodation options. If you fancy something different The Chateau at Whakapapa has walk up rates and specials that really bring the price down - failing that, there are numerous other options of hotels and motels in the area , and there are lots of other walks in the area.
Good Luck
Mike
the 1-day crossing is a sensational walk in good weather, and a slog in bad weather so it's worth planning a few days around the National Park to ensure you get a good day. It's manageable by anyone who can walk round a golf course (the 3-day and 5-day walks are for the more hard-core trampers)
There are optional side walk/scrambles up Mt Ngauruhoe (which is tough) and Mt Tongariro (which is relatively easy) that your wife may want to give a miss to.
Basically you have no chance of making it from Napier in the morning. It's a 4-5 hour drive, the walk is much better done in the morning (the clouds roll over the mountaun tops in the afternoon) and the walk is not a loop so you have to get back to where you left your car.
Whakapapa village or National Park are the best accommodation options. If you fancy something different The Chateau at Whakapapa has walk up rates and specials that really bring the price down - failing that, there are numerous other options of hotels and motels in the area , and there are lots of other walks in the area.
Good Luck
Mike
Jan 4th, 2006, 02:32 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mlgb
I stand by my opinion, hundreds of people do it every day in summer, most of it is flat, and there's a fair bit of boardwalk. When I did it in November there was everyone from pre-schoolers to eighty your old japanese tourists doing it.
How difficult did you find the walk ?
Mike
I stand by my opinion, hundreds of people do it every day in summer, most of it is flat, and there's a fair bit of boardwalk. When I did it in November there was everyone from pre-schoolers to eighty your old japanese tourists doing it.
How difficult did you find the walk ?
Mike
Jan 4th, 2006, 02:43 PM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We chose not to do the Crossing due to weather, but definitely stay in or next to the park.
There are companies that pick you up in the morning, drop you off at the trailhead, and pick you up again at the end. This is easier than parking at the trailhead.
If you choose not to do the Crossing, there are other lovely, shorter walks in Tongariro National Park. We did the Taranaki Falls Walk and really enjoyed ourselves.
Lee Ann
There are companies that pick you up in the morning, drop you off at the trailhead, and pick you up again at the end. This is easier than parking at the trailhead.
If you choose not to do the Crossing, there are other lovely, shorter walks in Tongariro National Park. We did the Taranaki Falls Walk and really enjoyed ourselves.
Lee Ann
Jan 4th, 2006, 03:42 PM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's a beautiful hike. I wouldn't exactly say it's like a walk around a golf course. If you're not used to climbing you'll just have to pace yourself. I started at Mangatepopo, yes there were school kids on the path but some of them were sitting there totally exhausted and I wonder if they ever actually made it up there. According to the map I still have it was an 475 meter(1550 ft.) climb over the south crater lip. You'll have another 225 meters(740ft) to get to Blue Lake, which is as far as I got. Doesn't look too terribly bad after that except going downhill a lot. The only flat part was up around the base of Ngauruhoe.
Jan 5th, 2006, 02:52 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In response to Clark's question "Is this hike for the frequent hiker/nature enthusiast only? Or is the "casual traveller" capable and interested in the hike as well?"
I said "it's MANAGEABLE by anyone who can walk round a golf course"
not "it's LIKE a walk round a golf course"
If some people would rather look at the scenery from a car or hotel room that's their choice - I personally prefer being amongst it all.
Similarly if you want to be facetious about an attempt to provide useful and pertinent information from first hand experience - that's your choice
Good Luck Clark with whatever you and your wife choose to do
I said "it's MANAGEABLE by anyone who can walk round a golf course"
not "it's LIKE a walk round a golf course"
If some people would rather look at the scenery from a car or hotel room that's their choice - I personally prefer being amongst it all.
Similarly if you want to be facetious about an attempt to provide useful and pertinent information from first hand experience - that's your choice
Good Luck Clark with whatever you and your wife choose to do
Jan 5th, 2006, 07:29 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in 2000 Mrs T and I had a wonderful around the world trip, the highlight of which was 6 weeks in New Zealand.
We chose to do the longer Tongariro Northern Circuit, despite never having done anything more than a few walks in the Lake District as a warm up. The first day of the Northern Circuit is the same as the Crossing, and despite having to carry 15kilo packs with our food and bedding in them we found it very straightforward. The paths are well marked, we never 'scrambled' , even with the packs on our backs we were able to walk upright comfortably up and down the slopes. If you are worried about the slopes take some walking poles to help you balance.
I would say that anyone of average fitness in good walking shoes and with a rain jacket could complete the walk in the 7 or so hours given as a guideline.
We were so pleased with ourselves we walked the Inca Trail, and did the descent into the Grand Canyon later in our trip. Now those are hard walks.
Sorry for going on for so long, but to settle a bet with Mrs T that will decide who makes dinner
MLGP, have you ever been to Tongariro
and for double or quits , do you drive a s.u.v
We chose to do the longer Tongariro Northern Circuit, despite never having done anything more than a few walks in the Lake District as a warm up. The first day of the Northern Circuit is the same as the Crossing, and despite having to carry 15kilo packs with our food and bedding in them we found it very straightforward. The paths are well marked, we never 'scrambled' , even with the packs on our backs we were able to walk upright comfortably up and down the slopes. If you are worried about the slopes take some walking poles to help you balance.
I would say that anyone of average fitness in good walking shoes and with a rain jacket could complete the walk in the 7 or so hours given as a guideline.
We were so pleased with ourselves we walked the Inca Trail, and did the descent into the Grand Canyon later in our trip. Now those are hard walks.
Sorry for going on for so long, but to settle a bet with Mrs T that will decide who makes dinner
MLGP, have you ever been to Tongariro
and for double or quits , do you drive a s.u.v
Jan 5th, 2006, 11:15 PM
#11
I've done Tongariro as well as Milford, Hump Ridge, Abel Tasman and a few others. I have never owned nor driven an SUV. I have a Mazda Protege. I'll leave you with the following extract from another poster for Mrs.G. Or is it Mrs. T?
A friend and I did the 17k hike last year basically in a blizzard. On the bright side it really did feel like we climbed Mt. Doom in Lord of the Rings, and we have one heck of a story to tell about it.
If you go in good weather it is still going to be a difficult climb, but you will get to see some amazing scenery and get lots of pretty pictures. As for the difficulty level, you begin the real hike with a 800m climb up a 35-55% incline over rough terrain. It was rough for two 25 year olds to climb it with a small day pack in 30 minutes. The rest of the climb is not difficult, other than walking along a 10 foot wide ithsmus for a few k up a slope made of volcanic ash and chipped gravel."
A friend and I did the 17k hike last year basically in a blizzard. On the bright side it really did feel like we climbed Mt. Doom in Lord of the Rings, and we have one heck of a story to tell about it.
If you go in good weather it is still going to be a difficult climb, but you will get to see some amazing scenery and get lots of pretty pictures. As for the difficulty level, you begin the real hike with a 800m climb up a 35-55% incline over rough terrain. It was rough for two 25 year olds to climb it with a small day pack in 30 minutes. The rest of the climb is not difficult, other than walking along a 10 foot wide ithsmus for a few k up a slope made of volcanic ash and chipped gravel."
Jan 6th, 2006, 02:09 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From my original response....
the 1-day crossing is a sensational walk in good weather, and a slog in bad weather so it's worth planning a few days around the National Park to ensure you get a good day
the 1-day crossing is a sensational walk in good weather, and a slog in bad weather so it's worth planning a few days around the National Park to ensure you get a good day
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
emd
United States
6
Dec 4th, 2006 04:51 AM
