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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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About to pass the Red crater and take the steep ascent on the left and the even more treacherous descent to the Emerald lakes, this ascent and descent had no formal path just loose scree and shingle covering sharp rocks that cut legs and arms when you fell (which you did often)
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Having walked thru the South Crater (yellow) passing Mt Ngauruhoe (LHS of shot) we then climed to the Red crater (just behind camera) about 4 hours into the 9 hour journey We followed a marked route across South Crater to the ridge leading up to the Red Crater. South Crater is not a real crater but a basin that may have been glacially carved, and has since filled with sediment from the surrounding ridges. An explosion pit in the southeast part of the crater formed around 14,000 years ago. The lava seen from Ngauruhoe dates back to the 1870 eruption. Once you have passed South Crater there is another short climb on a steep exposed ridge. Windy conditions could make this the most challenging part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. As you walk up the ridge to Red Crater you can smell sulphur, evidence that Red Crater is still active. There are spectacular views to the east over the Oturere Valley, Rangipo Desert, Kaimanawa Forest Park and down towards the Emerald Lakes.
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Mount Ngauruhoe
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