-
Under the Ice at Tongariro National Park: Exploring Mt Ruapehu’s Glaciers and Ice Caves
Inside the Ice: Exploring Mt Ruapehu’s Glaciers and Caves A day hike to a spectacular ice cave in the Summit Plateau Glacier The Milky Way above the WTMC Lodge, Tongariro National Park As one of my stories on the Tongariro National Park, this post focuses on the ethereal ice formations found in the Mt Ruapehu…
-
Beyond Ruapehu: Discovering Te Roro o Taiteariki, The Rangipo Desert and Tongariro’s Smallest Volcano
While thousands of travelers speed along the Desert Road, maybe glancing at the snow-capped majesty of Mount Ruapehu, a smaller story sits quietly in the shadows. Most visitors can name the “Big Three” peaks of the Tongariro National Park, but few stop to acknowledge the tiny, pylon-crowned warrior standing guard on the edge of the…
-
Hiking Mt Tongariro: A climb of the South Ridge in Tongariro NP
Hiking Mt Tongariro: A Guide to the South Ridge in Tongariro National Park A loop day hike via the South Ridge to the summit of Mt Tongariro from the WTMC Lodge in the Tongariro National Park including a map of the route. While the Tongariro Alpine Crossing offers a world-famous traverse, the South Ridge route provides a…
-
Pukekaikiore Ascent: A Guide to One of Tongariro National Park’s Least-Visited Peaks
Pukekaikiore Ascent: A Guide to One of Tongariro National Park’s Least-Visited Peaks A guide for a hike from the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge to the summit of Pukekaikiore the fourth highest volcanic peak in the World Dual Heritage Tongariro National Park Are you looking to escape the crowds of the Alpine Crossing? Pukekaikiore offers a sense of…
-
Mt Ruapehu Glaciers: The Remarkable Story of the Unnamed Glacier
Mt Ruapehu Glaciers Guide: The Remarkable Story of the Unnamed Glacier The smallest glacier on Mt Ruapehu is the most unusual – it is possibly the only glacier in New Zealand not receding from global warming. While the world watches the retreat of alpine ice, a small but resilient survivor lies on the southern slopes…
-
Mt Ruapehu and the solitary wilding pine 🌲
Mt Ruapehu – and the solitary wilding pine 🌲 The wilding pine on the Whakapapa slopes of My Ruapehu needed to be removed – so Sarah and her teddy bear set out to do the job Some time ago while passing across the western slopes of Mt Ruapehu towards the WTMC Lodge Sarah Saurus noticed a…
-
WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – the aurora and the honey mead 🧸
WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – the aurora and the honey mead At the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge the Teddy Bears Tramping Club enjoyed viewing the aurora and then also the tasty honey mead Today was an exciting time for us teddy bears at the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge. First there was an activation of the lahar warning system…
-
Te Tatau-Pounamu – the other Tongariro wilderness
Te Tatau-Pounamu – the other Tongariro wilderness Te Tatau-Pounamu. A guide to the seldom visited Te Tatau-Pounamu wilderness area on the eastern side of Mt Tongariro in the World Heritage Tongariro National Park Tongariro National Park holds a prestigious position in the list of the world’s protected natural areas—the park is one of only 29…
-
Mt Tongariro – and the lava lake
Mt Tongariro and the ancient molten lava lake at North Crater A 2 day hiking loop trip over Mt Tongariro and past the once molten lava lake that occupied the North Crater before cooling and solidifying. When the warrior gods Tongariro and Taranaki fought over the lovely Pihanga flames lit up the sky,…
