Day 47 - Whakapapa

Alpine day! Been looking forward to this section for quite a while. Up early and charging up the mountain. A 1000m elevation gain to start the morning. 

The geothermal activity started early. Tongariro crossing goes over a not so inactive volcanoe. In 2012 an explosion sent flying boulders that destroyed a hut on the mountain. 

Looking back on Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupo. 

I made it to the proper alpine. A gorgeous emerald lake to the left and the lava fields to the right. 

11am photo entering Mordor. Mt. Doom and Mt. Ruhapehu in the background. This track is one of the most popular on the island. Some hundreds were on the trail today. Pre Covid there was thousands each day in peak season. 

I’ve reached Mt. Doom. It took Frodo half a year from Hobbington, took me 17 days. 

Because I wanted more pain, or a bigger challenge, or maybe my mountain legs were just excited I decided to actually climb Mount Doom. 

I reached the top in about an hour, much faster than anticipated, just as the clouds surrounded the mountain. Not good for a view but it made things quite atmospheric. 

There was some geothermal vents near the top.

The upper crater was deep and rimmed with vibrant red rock. It was eerily silent in the clouds up here alone. 

After puttering around for a while I threw the one ring in, saved middle earth, and continued down to camp. A nice scree ski down too, took only 20min.

Some bathrooms trying to disguise as rocks. They’re not doing a very good job. 

I reached camp later than expected, 6:30 and the office to the holiday park was closed and a no vacancy sign set up. I just put my tent up in an area where there was room. A big day; 37km, 1000m elevation, and a Mt. Doom scramble.