Rush hour traffic...!!

Today was the day of the long walk......the 19.7km Tongariro Crossing which traverses the Norht Island's central volcanic plateau. We had comtemplated an early 5.00am start in order to avoid what, we were told, could be a very 'busy' day on the Crossing. After a good number of txts between myself and the family I was doing it with we agreed on a more sedate 7.00am start. How busy could it possibly get?!?!

L,M,R&K arrived at the place I was staying at 7.00am as arranged then we headed off to deliver their vehicle to the end of the track we would finish at. We then all headed to the start of the track in my car. About 3 or 4 kms back along the road L had a worrying thought......had he turned his car lights off??? Ah well, we'd find out later!

Onto the track by 8.00am in beautiful conditions where we joined what turned out to be the most unbelievable bumper-to-bumper trail of walkers. This trail continued for the entire 19.7kms/6 hours of the walk. So much for getting out into the wilds of the great New Zealand outdoors! It was more like going travelling in rush hour in some city or other!

And to top it all off, the car lights had been left on so as well as no energy left in us, there was none in the battery either! Thankfully, and after a bit of persuasion, some passing German tourists agreed to help us jump start it.

Apart from all these incidentals though, the Crossing itself was utterly amazing - just like being on the moon in parts!! Picking the blip for the day was given over to L & M and in the end I've gone for M's choice. We're descending from the South Crater rim down a very steep and unbeliavably loose scoria/dust track towards the Emerald Lakes - but still the crowds travel bumper-to-bumper!!


Overspill pics