Hearing my old man was planning to make a weekend trip to New Zealand I quickly warmed up to the idea of heading over aswell to try and squeeze a few days of exploring in while catching up with all my NZ family.

**The New Zealand Rig. Well was to be for a lil while anyway.**

First step was to stop into Trekker Adventures to pick up one of the best model of vechiles ever (I may be biased). I really didnt want a rental vehicle that would limit me from going off the beaten track if i wanted. The plan was to pick up the car and shoot down to National Park which would be the base for my trek the next day. It was a 4hr drive, and the traffic leaving Auckland was getting pretty bad.

On the drive from Auckland to National Park, the Moon slowly started creeping over the horizon. Had been a while since i had seen it this bright - it glowed a super cool yellow through all the fog hanging around

I arrived around 8:30pm into National Park and was instantly welcomed by the immense cold. I checked into Howards Mountain Lodge, which was a cheap $55 a night for a super simple but comfortable room.

I Woke up the next day around 5 am, got my hiking bag all sorted and made off for a 7am start to ADrift Headquaters which was a handy 30m down the road from my accomodation. I had originally planned to attempt to do the tongariro pass by my own, but as the pass is a one way trek (meaning you need a way to get back to the start to the carpark). i had no real option but to join onto a guided trek which offered the return trip.

**A Drift had a heap of cool Memoribillia**

**The weather was not looking hopeful at all.**

We arrived at the Carpark which was the start of the Tongariro Hike.it Looked uncertain what the weather was going to do but also seemed like we may possibly get good weather.

**Thankfully it started to slowly clear at the base. Good sign.**

I quickly found my place at the back being slow taking photos, with one of the tour guides who was a professional mountaineer from Canada. I would end up spending racking his brain finding out his favourite spots, and best things he had done around … — I quickly found my place at the back being slow taking photos, with one of the tour guides who was a professional mountaineer from Canada. I would end up spending racking his brain finding out his favourite spots, and best things he had done around the world.

**The first 3k’s was a nice easy climb upwards.**

**Walkways made the first part of the hike super easy.**

**This was right about when the difficulty rating went right up.**

**The start of what was called “The Devils Staircase”**

**At the top of the devils staircase we where welcomed with a clear view accross the plain to Mt Doom AKA Mount Ngauruhoe**

After reaching the top of the devils staircase and crossing the flat plain between the two peaks,it was time to pull the ice axe out, helmet up and don the crampons. we would continue upwards on one of the last big climbs to reach the summit of mt tongariro

**The combination of crampons and the ice axe really provided a safeguard on some of the super slick ice parts.**

**This would be the best view we would get at the Summit. You win some and you lose some.**

**Visibility slowly started to get better as we descended**

Once reaching the summit of tongariro and getting met with zero visibility we proceeded to head down the other side. Briefly pulling up for some lunch and then continuing down out of the snow and onto the sunny hills.

**Continuing the trek down. Slowly getting out of the snow and seeing the amazing scenary of the other side. This was looking out towards Lake Taupo side.**

**The home straight. I was pretty sure we where getting pretty close to the end here.**

I was really wrong. Think there was about 4-5k’s left to go. Definitely wasnt at my fittest when i did this hike : whilst i had no drama continuing on - my legs started to be a real pain and started cramping badly on the uphill stairs.

The next day i had intended on leaving early to shoot accross to Mt Taranaki via New Zealand State Highway 43 (AKA The Forgotten World Highway). Things where not to go to plan as i has having dramas with the Rental Rover. They had replaced one of the sensors before i had picked it up and was causing havoc trying to keep up to highway speed. Instead i had to shoot up to Rotorua to swap it over, then leg it back down to Highway 43. This ended up taking about 4-5 hours out of my day leading to me arriving in the New Plymouth area to late to do any climbing of Taranaki, or hiking of the surronding area.

Whilst dissapointing that I was going to arrive to late to do any form of hiking i still had a enjoyable drive over through the Worlds Forgotten Highway. There was a incredible amount of amazing scenery and changed dramatically while going up,down and over the three saddles: the Strathmore Saddle, Whangamomona Saddle, and Tahora Saddle. I also had the wonderful pleasure of leaving New Zealand and entering the republic of Whangamomona. The republic is complete with presidents, with only two of them being human - Billy Gumboot the Goat and Tai the Poodle had both sat terms in office. The local pub can also stamp your passport on the way through, but was sadly closed at the time i was there.

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**The Rolling Hills Along the Worlds Forgotten Highway**

After arriving late into the New Plymouth area i made the decision to make a stop at Lake Mangamahoe for some sunset photos, then proceed down to Palmerston North. I sat waiting for a while for the clouds to clear hoping to get a clear view of Mt Taranaki, but i wasnt going to be in luck.

The next few days would be spent attending a family members wedding and catching up with relatives. Sadly my time would run out in New Zealand and the only other chance i would have to explore was on the way back to Auckland. We made the early departure from above Palmerston North to try and stop around Mt Mount Ruapehu area for some sunrise photos. I was welcomed with a nice clear morning and the sunlight really lit up the snow as it rose.

**Cloud Cover wisping over the top over Mount Ngauruhoe.**

**Mount Ruapehu basking in the morning light**

**Mount Ngauruhoe standing tall in the distance.**

And just like that my few days in New Zealand will be done. I will defiently be back sometime in the near future to takle Mt Taranaki. Short Clip of the trip below.

New Zealand : Briefly.

Hearing my old man was planning to make a weekend trip to New Zealand I quickly warmed up to the idea of heading over aswell to try and squeeze a few days of exploring in while catching up with all my NZ family.

I arrived around 8:30pm into National Park and was instantly welcomed by the immense cold. I checked into Howards Mountain Lodge, which was a cheap $55 a night for a super simple but comfortable room.

We arrived at the Carpark which was the start of the Tongariro Hike.it Looked uncertain what the weather was going to do but also seemed like we may possibly get good weather.

After reaching the top of the devils staircase and crossing the flat plain between the two peaks,it was time to pull the ice axe out, helmet up and don the crampons. we would continue upwards on one of the last big climbs to reach the summit of mt tongariro

Once reaching the summit of tongariro and getting met with zero visibility we proceeded to head down the other side. Briefly pulling up for some lunch and then continuing down out of the snow and onto the sunny hills.