Some Pics From Tongariro National Park (North Island, NZ)

Most of these pics are of the Tongariro Crossing - a 17km trek through an active volcano park.
The trip is supposed to take 7-hours but we did it in six, although some people camp overnight
and do other walks. We set out early from Mangatepopo at 7AM which ensured good weather.
The best part of the trek was stomping through South Crater which was like walking on Mars.

Volcanic Mount Ngauruhoe (Na-ha-ro-ee) as seen from our hotel.
Our route took us up the left peak - Mount Tongariro (height 1967m)

Zoe in front of a rocky lava flow from Mount Ngauruhoe

Ngauruhoe in all its splendour - although this doesn't do it justice.
You can just see gases venting from top left summit (height 2287m)

Zoe atop the red crater ridge (height 1886m). Loads of snow and ice here too.
Red crater is off-picture to the right (coloured red cos of rusty iron deposits)

Dunno who those peeps are - but that is smoke pumping out the ground (it stank of eggs!)

Me in front of one of the emerald lakes. More sulphurous discharge to the right

One last look at the Red crater, check out my stylish hat.
We walked down the right ridge - good job it didn't blow

Our next trek was to the Tamma lakes, Ngauruhoe was ever present.
Mount Ruapehu is just to the right of this piccy - but was too icey to climb

The weather was more moody during this day - but it didn't rain until we got back

That's all for now folks, more later...