TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
13-15 MAY 2005
 

Arriving at the Chateau earlier than we’d thought, it was decided that rather than walk from Scoria Flat, we’d leave the car at the Chateau carpark and walk to Whakapapaiti Hut.   Checking at the DOC Info Centre the weather looked promising, with maybe a chance of rain on the Sunday, giving us high hopes of finally completing this part (Chateau to Ohakune Mountain Road) of the “Around the Mountain” trip, after two previous failed attempts due to unsuitable weather conditions.  On yet another trip in this area last year there was snow all around, so we enjoyed the different landscape unfolding before us.

Arriving at Whakapapaiti Hut, we spent the fading hours organising tea and relaxing.

DOC had choppered in a heap of wood recently which kept Nigel entertained for a while, chopping kindling.    Having enjoyed a quiet evening (hut to ourselves), we were up before the sun and heading off by 7.30 a.m. to Mangaturuturu Hut.   The wind had come up overnight but the sun remained and the views of Mt Ruapehu and surrounding “Lord of the Rings” landscape were spectacular.    We climbed and descended several ridges, crossing many small streams before finally ascending out of the Whakapapaiti Valley and onto a shoulder which provided good views towards the untracked Hauhangatahi wilderness area.  We crossed two major valleys – the Makatote and the Manganui-o-te-Ao.  DOC had done a lot of work on this part of the track, putting in boardwalks across the swampy bits.  The moonscape surroundings, alpine plants and tarns we wandered past were awesome and we finally ascending out of these valleys up a hill, that reminded us of the staircase up to South Crater on the Tongariro Crossing.  We rewarded ourselves with lunch stop at the top - time to reflect on nature’s beauty

Now above and just north of the Mangaturuturu Valley we were up and down a few more ridges and then along a final one before descending an impressive staircase down to Lake Surprise, constructed by DOC to protect the alpine herbs and plants.  Now we just had to descend a wee bit more onto the boardwalk over valley floor, crossing over the lahar path of the Mangaturuturu River before reaching the Hut.   Such a fantastic day it was!!!

Next morning we had a slower start as we only had a short walk out to Ohakune Mountain Road via the cascades to be meet by Noel & crew, our transport back to the Chateau.  Thanks Noel and Eileen for making this trip possible.   Claire (scribe), Nigel (proof reader) and Steve.

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