Tongarirro Northern Circuit

A rare perfect winter weekend! We made use of the opportunity to walk the Tongarirro Northern Circuit.

The Alpine Crossing section of the route was crawling with guided parties, but once we turned off to Oturere Valley, we saw no one else until reaching the overflowing Waihohonu Hut.

Thankfully we snatched the last two bunks in the huge refuge, having a loud but pleasant evening.

Sunday arrived with a very heavy frost, coating everything with beautiful crystals and frost heave. A short detour was made for lunch up at the Upper Tama Lakes (well worth the detour!) before finishing at Whakapapa Village.

Kapakapanui Geocaching

Had a good day with Chris, doing a circuit of Kapakapanui, Southern Tararua's. As we'd both been here before, the main aim was to be the 'First to Find' a new Geocache up near the top, as well as a bunch of older caches.

The day started clear and warm, but as we climbed, standard Tararua weather (wind and cloud) set in. It didn't rain on us though till right near the end of our 6 hr trip. 5 Geocaches, including a fresh one!

Kapakapanui Trig

Standard Tararua weather


Goblin Forest

Kapakapanui Hut