My husband and I (late fifties) are considering doing the Tongariro crossing in March of next year. Any advice welcome from anyone who has made this trek. Thanks

Don't hike when its overcast (vis was 25 feet) and there are gale force winds (up to 60mph). 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.

We ended up not doing the Crossing last April because it was overcast and we figured we wouldn't be able to see anything. We did the Taranaki Falls Walk instead, which was a pleasant and pretty shorter trek.

Do contact the visitor's center and check weather conditions before you start. Dress in layers and bring rain gear. Bring a good amount of water and snacks as well.

If you don't do much hiking, start getting in shape now! Make sure your hiking boots are broken in before you go, too.

Have a great time!

Lee Ann

My husband and I were in our mid-fifties when we did the Crossing in January, 2002. I kept a journal of our NZ trip and here are some excerpts:
[we stayed at the Grand Chateau in National Park]
In the laundry room we met up with 4 English ladies who were thrilled we had just done the Crossing. It's a little like a marathon - everyone is impressed and solicitous at the end of the day. It was arduous. Twelve miles, beginning at 8:45 and ending at 4, with only very short breaks to eat our enormous lunch packed by the Chateau. A long flat volcanic terrain walk at the beginning, and then the very steep climb, clambering up among jagged rocks, looking at the line of people snaking steeply above us for what seemed like miles. It took about 45 minutes. Then a long flat walk in the caldera, ringed by volcanos. Up and up again to the ridge by the Red Crater, a cold wind whipping up and mist blowing in. The walk up was slippery, covered in scree; the walk down was like skiing - sinking into the ash, nearly jumping back and forth. And the volcanic lakes appeared through the mist - two emerald lakes, and Blue Lake. Then over and over and down and down past the old lava flow, up out of the crater, through hayfields to the hut and all the Europeans basking in the sun, and then down and down again on never-ending steps, knees aching in agony. Then into the rain forest, jungle bird calls, the distant hum of insects, green shade and flowers but still the neverending down.
So yes, it was arduous, but worth it. We also did the Kepler Track, and I had the same knee problem going down - so if you have really bad knee problems I wouldn't recommend it. (but I'm really glad we did both). The Crossing was sort of like being on the moon.

My wife and I (she's 36 , I'm 41, and neither of us are athletes by any stretch of the imagination) did it in about 7 hours in Dec 03. If you're in decent shape and you wear good boots I think you'll be fine, but I wouldnt want to hike it in the rain. The companies that shuttle you out there can give you a pretty good idea of the weather before you go. And dont wear a cotton shirt like I did, it'll get damp with sweat even on a cloudy day, and it gets cold and windy up there. The climb up to the first crater rim from Soda Springs took about 45 minutes, steep and slow going, you will really feel your heart pumping! Then after you walk through the crater itself, which is mindblowing, you've got another pretty tough ascent up to the Red Crater--the footing is a bit dicey with some loose volanic rock.
After that its all basically downhill, and though tough on the knees, its indescribably beautiful up there, you will be quite glad you made the trip once you catch the view of the lakes on your way to the last hut.

thanks for all your responses..if the weather cooperates, we are going to do it!