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Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice: Tongariro National Park
Centrally located in North Island, Tongariro National Park serves as an adventure hub for those seeking a landscape shaped by fire, ice, and ancient legend. As New Zealand’s first National Park and a UNESCO Dual World Heritage area, it offers a rare convergence of geological wonder and deep Māori spiritual heritage. A Land of Giants…
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Climbing Paretetaitonga: A Winter Mission on Mt Ruapehu
Paretetaitonga (2,751 metres) is widely recognized as the second-highest peak on Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. It sits just below Tahurangi (2,797m). While Point 2,757 further south, known informally as Te Ātaahua, is technically higher, it is not officially recognised as one of Ruapehu’s peaks. The name Paretetaitonga translates to ‘a wall or parapet, on…
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Mangaweka & the Pegs of the Ruahine Range
An iron peg. A wooden peg. What’s next? A tent peg or a clothes peg? Sitting at 1,731m, Mangaweka is the highest peak in the Ruahine Range. Enticed by the summit and the curiously named peaks along the way, a group of friends and I planned a 3-day loop. If you are looking for a…
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Exploring the Best Waterfalls in Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is a dramatic landscape. Best known for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the park has many short walks to spectacular waterfalls. Using the Wellington Tramping & Mountaineering Club (WTMC) Lodge as a base was perfect for exploring both the well-known waterfalls and a few secret hidden gems. Iconic & Accessible Falls 1. TARANAKI fALLS…
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Climbing Te Ātaahua: Reaching the “Shark’s Tooth” on Mt Ruapehu
Identifying the Forgotten Highpoint: Point 2757 While Paretetaitonga is widely recognized as the second-highest peak on Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, a higher point on the summit ridge often goes unnoticed. Located further south lies Point 2757, informally known as Te Ātaahua—meaning “the beauty.” To those looking up from the Turoa skifield, this sharp…
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Bum sliding | A very silly video of summer snow at Mt Ruapehu
The Great Sarahsaurus Descent In our latest (and perhaps silliest) trip report, we encountered a stretch of softened summer snow on Mt Ruapehu that was simply too tempting to pass up. While most hikers might opt for a careful descent, we decided it was the perfect opportunity for some bum sliding. However, as the video…
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Hauhungatahi | The Gateway to Off-Track Wilderness in Tongariro National Park
New Zealand’s 14 National Parks offer world-class tracks, but “true wilderness” areas intentionally devoid of huts, signs, or bridges—remains a rare find for the North Island tramper. Most of our designated wilderness areas are buried deep in the Southern Alps, yet one of the most accessible sits right on the western slopes of Mt Ruapehu…
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Tahurangi in Summer | A Guide to Summiting the Highest Peak of Ruapehu
Experience the thrill of summiting Tahurangi and standing on the highest point of the North Island with a summer trek to Mt Ruapehu. While many visitors flock to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the climb to Ruapehu’s 2,797-meter peak offers a more rugged and rewarding challenge for experienced hikers. This journey takes you through a dramatic…
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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…
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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…
