Ngatoroirangi, the founding ancestor of NgÄti Tuwharetoa, the local iwi (MÄori tribe), ascended the great mountains of the Central Plateau 30 generations ago. The advisory will be applied if any of the following parameters are exceeded at 12 pm or 6 pm for the weather forecast at Red Crater: The assessment to apply the advisory will be made at 6 am every day. It is important that all walkers carry the essentials for their journey across. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a one-way trek, so you will need to help yourself by taking a shuttle bus. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a challenging journey across a remarkable volcanic landscape but is most definitely worth the hard work. New Zealand’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing wends its way 19.4km through the country’s oldest National Park and a dual World Heritage Area. Getting down to them is the tricky part. Te Maari, Red Crater and NgÄuruhoe vents have all been active within the last 100 years – the most recent eruption occurred from Te Maari in 2012. We'd entered a literal wormhole to a galaxy inside the earth. It’s a total of 800 meters elevation gain and 1125 meters elevation loss (if you hike from Mangatepopo to Ketetahi). It is common to experience very cold temperatures, strong wind, heavy rainfall and poor visibility in summer – snow can fall at any time of year. Doom from the Lord of the Rings in New Zealand Standing in the dark, near tears, I steadied myself against the glass wall and leaned into the water. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip. The elevation of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Crossing is 19.4km and climbs to almost 2,000m. First of all, some advice⦠Read up on the Crossing ⦠A 1 km hazard zone and Ngati Tuwharetoa RÄhui from the crater is still in place and volcanic hazard flyers were distributed at all entrances to the track. The Tongariro Crossing is basically broken up into 8 different stages. Answer 1 of 5: The article below appeared on Stuff today. We hit the track right at 8am and it took us 7 hours and 10 minutes to reach the end. There's no other day hike in all of New Zealand that is as diverse as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There are increased risks from snow, ice, avalanche terrain and sub-zero temperatures. Before you start to climb "Devil's Staircase" there is a warning sign: STOP! There is geothermal activity around the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – especially near emerald lakes. Menu Search site . Looking back, I'm still thinking "I can't believe I just did that!!" The trail runs through an active volcanic region in the midst of Tongariro National Park, which is home to the iconic mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and the famous Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings (Mt Ngauruhoe). and al… Temperatures can change quite rapidly within a few hours and you might experience some strong wind gusts and high rainfall periods. The Tongariro Crossing is described as one of the best day hikes in New Zealand. Start with a base layer of polypropylene/merino, add an insulation layer of fleece/wool and finish with a waterproof shell layer. The paths are through grass, over volcanic rock and across boardwalks. Doom in The Lord of the Rings. iStock Tongariro Crossing Stock Photo - Download Image Now Download this Tongariro Crossing photo now. My cousin and I drove down from Rotorua at the end of high season in April and managed to catch a perfect day. The Pouakai Crossing’s name was changed to align with the Tongariro Crossing and a Tarawera Crossing, Young says. I did question my sanity at times. It’s going to be an early start tomorrow so we recommend a hearty feed and a good night’s sleep – tomorrow we’re going on an adventure! The park has active and extinct volcanoes, a diverse range of ecosystems and some remarkable landscapes. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 7-8 hour hike … One of my favourites, I think you could even take a buggy on would be to walk in to Waihohonu Hut from the Desert Road - about 1 1/2 hours.Lovely hut for a break, visit the historic hut nearby. Arguably New Zealand’s best day hike, the Tongariro Crossing hike, is situated in the center of New Zealand’s North Island. plenty of food and water (water along the track isn't suitable for drinking). Perhaps I don't have to call myself a "beginner hiker" anymore!