On Friday, early start for shuttle bus to Mangetapapa, the start of day two of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, day one is a fruitless 3hours over less exciting terrain. Wham, straight onto the slopes of Ngauruhoe, aka Mount Doom, a total of 800m ascent, so quite doable, but hot, no shade, expecting orcs and worse to pop out at any time. Clear blue sky, stunning volcanic colours and none of the gales that put the kybosh on it last year. The forecast for the next two day a bit dodgy.
A huge flat dry lake at the first "top" then a short detour to a waterfall, not really what you expect in the middle of a volcano. Next a bigger side trip to the stunning views from the top of Tongariro, then back to the high point, the devilish Red Crater, little wisps of sulphur-steam, and slippery slope, literally, to the unreal Emerald Lakes: can't possibly be that colour. The guide book says pH~3, so not for swimming. Not yet knackered, so up to the blue lake, a bit less weird, then back to the emeralds and a couple of hours steep descent through craggy lava to the Oturere hut, very welcome, cosy & full up. The only water is collected rain, so washing a bit vestigial. Still clear blue sky.
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