2014 On trek in New Zealand, 'Around the Mountain' (Ruapehu, North Island)

January 2014

Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park

Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

Just finished a beautiful trek around the highest mountain of New Zealand's North Island, Mt. Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. This mountain still has glaciers and snow throughout the year.

I was very lucky with the weather; only a very slight drizzle during the last few hours of the final day, the remainder being sunny and dry. Still, the weather was very different each day: one very windy day, another rather cold day, and one quite warm.

It took me five days to complete the 70 km circuit around the mountain. Though I met people who did it in three days and even in as little as one...

Lower Tama Lake and Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park

Lower Tama Lake and Mount Ruapehu, Tongarariro National Park, New Zealand

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