

Get an Early start
I am not a morning person. So, it should be obvious that I was excited when I tell you that we parked at the Ketetahi car-park and took the 7am shuttle. We were not alone. When I first told my cousin we were interested in the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike, he let us know that he was “keen to go” because he had never done this hike. To Kiwi’s this is a very touristy hike and it’s very crowded. We wanted to avoid the crowds as much as possible so we went early on a weekday morning.
Shuttle from Ketatahi to Mangatepopo car park (the easy direction due to less elevation gain)
It was still dark when we boarded the shuttle. We were driving to the starting point with the rising sun out the window. When we got to the Mangatepopo car park to start the 19.4km (just over 12 mile) Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike it was still relatively dark and the mist and clouds that rolled in made it even darker. The hike started off fine. We were trucking along at a good pace and as the line of other hikers wasn’t too congested yet.
Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a Gorilla
My cousin is 250 lbs of muscle, he exercises daily and LOVES messing with people (so we dubbed him Gorilla)*. Gorilla was passing people left and right and we were right along with him. Until the uphill began. Gorilla could use those muscles to powerhouse up the side of the mountain. I however, sorely deficient in muscles, could not.
Unfortunately, I burned my fuel so fast trying to rush up the mountain that I was getting weak and light headed. Although I am used to hiking often, I am not used to hiking fast and while climbing up the side of a mountain. Of course, Gorilla was egging me on from ahead “Come on Hawaiʻi” and “Let’s go Hawaiʻi”. Finally, Gorilla could see the look of exhaustion on my face so he turbo boosted me uphill for a while until I could have a snack and catch my second wind.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Summit
The mountains were shrouded in mist and the higher we climbed the windier it got. I had regained strength and momentum in my legs. Now I just had to keep them from being blown off the mountain peak! The wind lashed at us and the mist dampened everything but our spirits. Then the sun started rewarding us for our efforts and we started getting peek-a-views of the crater, the multi-colored lakes, and the steam vents.
Tongariro Lakes
It was dazzling gazing upon the green lake when the sunlight graced it. The turquoise was also tremendous.
The downhill, while protected from the wind, was challenging in a more fun way. The path is very loose dirt and rocks, so BOOTS are best for this hike and the best technique for the descent is dry skiing.
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