77highway.typepad.com > New Zealand - Mt Ruapehu Walk

I went on the Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake guided walk in May 2003. It's set in the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. (More photo albums can be found here.)

1. On the way up (Dsc01958)

Taking the chairlift to 2,020m.

2. Taking a breather (Dsc01965)

From the chairlift, we had to trek up to 2,670m.

3. View from the top (Dsc01980)

View from the top of Mt Ruapehu.

4. The crater Lake at Ruapehu (Dsc01982)

The lake emptied out somewhat during the last eruptions in 1995/6, but is back to about 80% full again.

5. The quick way down (Dsc01987)

We were given the choice of walking down the way we came up (via the rock-and-boulder-strewn path) or sliding down on our bums... it was a no-brainer decision...

1. On the way up (Dsc01958)

2. Taking a breather (Dsc01965)

3. View from the top (Dsc01980)

4. The crater Lake at Ruapehu (Dsc01982)

5. The quick way down (Dsc01987)

6. Looking back (Dsc01988)

7. Sadly, the snowy portion ended here... (Dsc01989)