Ohinepane to Whakapapa Village 2 Taranaki Falls Walk

Oyster Moon
Paul Foskett & Rhu Nash
Wed 27 Nov 2013 02:58

Mt Doom, aka Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu are in the Tongariro National Park.  This was NZs first national park.  It was gifted to the nation by a canny Maori chief who realised that the whole place would be trashed if settled.  There are three andesitic volcanoes in the park, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.  The latter are two of the most active volcanoes in the world despite minor eruptions from Tongariro in 2012.  We arrived at Whakapapa visitor centre, read the weather forecast, rain, had lunch and did a quick walk to Taranaki Falls before the weather set in.  Paul and I with Mt Doom, we’re doomed…

 

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Nice views of Mt Pukekaikiore and Mt Doom, Mt Doom and Mt Ruapehu – out of the cloud for a second.

 

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Happy chappie walking through the beech woods…. Where are the elves?

 

 

A pretty little fern, not seen this one before.

 

 

Cascade Falls and a small narrow gorge.

 

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Taranaki Falls, 20m plunge over an andesitic lava flow which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago.

 

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Edges of a lava flow.

 

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Better Mt Doom view

 

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There are some really famous walks in this park, probably the most well-known is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing which is considered one of NZs best one day hikes.  You can also walk around the mountain (3-4 days), staying at DoC huts en route. Tussocky grass covered uplands.

 

 

 

In the winter this is skiing country and Mt Ruapehu is home to NZs largest skiing areas of Whakapapa and Turoa.  After our short walk Paul wanted to drive up and see the ski lodges at Whakapapa ski area. Almost barren lava with moss and grass.  View down to the plains below.

 

 

Just for Paul pictures of a snow plough and snow making machines.

 

 

Some of the ski lodges, no road to these, you had to carry your stuff up.  .

 

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It is nearing the end of school term here in NZ, so what do you do with kids?  Take them on field trips of course.  These poor kids were having to lug all the food up and down… memories

 

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