(View over Lake Otamangakau from Tongariro Crossing to qualify this as a fishing report?)
TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING (“TAC”) :
(Images taken mainly by WG of Tongariro Alpine Crossing in fine weather. Note how TRM’s youthful ‘model’ Wendy is wearing sensible shoes, wide brim sun hat, warm clothes and backpack with additional warmer jackets etc. plus the essential walking pole – available from TRM reception.)
Regular readers will have noticed Tongariro River Motel (“TRM”) keep readers up to date whenever the Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttle service is cancelled. i.e. Refer report yesterday. That is one of the advantages of these website reports – we can report instantly on any changes or events. Unfortunately sometimes these cancellation notices lead to confusion. Being located in a National Park the TAC is never officially closed. But all responsible shuttle bus operators cancel bookings when the weather conditions look unsuitable. OK?
Everyone is aware of the terrible accident last Saturday when some Boston exchange students crashed on their way to do the crossing.
In addition, on the same day, five other young Americans were plucked off the crossing by the local rescue helicopter. (Reported in NZ Herald for 14 May) The group were rescued in near darkness from an icy face 2133m high on the south eastern side of Mt. Ngauruhoe. “Taupo Youthtown Trust” rescue helicopter pilot Nat Every said there was a growing tendency to underestimate the TAC. Yet at that time TRM had posted warnings that most shuttle bus operators had cancelled all trips. Ditto yesterday. But there are always some people who have traveled a long way to complete the crossing and have to tick that box – “Been there, done that”, regardless of the weather conditions. Youthful enthusiasm takes over common sense.
Saturday’s rescue follows another on April 28th when 16 people ran into trouble with some suffering mild hypothermia on the summit of the TAC. The inexperienced group were lightly clad. Some were wearing shorts, others jeans, none had any suitable alpine clothing but were told the weather would improve.
Taupo senior constable Barry Shepherd said the incident was the latest in a series of near-misses at Tongariro National Park that had seen rescue services called out 25 times this year. There was ample signage at the park warning of the dangers but many people were ignoring them. Many people were also not seeking local advice before setting out.
So now that winter weather conditions make any alpine crossing a much more risky serious trip, this is a plea to be more careful. OK? TRM cannot afford to lose inmates. A few years ago they changed the name from Tongariro Crossing by adding the “Alpine” to reinforce this is an alpine hike and more serious clothes and gear are essential.
“Alternative Walks”
TRM also have info on three alternative day trips for when the TAC is “closed” by weather conditions. The TAC is usually closed about 20% of summer and 80% of winter. Despite that it still the most popular one day walk in New Zealand with over 70,000 walkers completing the trail each year.
An alternative full one day all weather walking/biking trail (which may even be more popular?) is still being planned by the Advocates – up and back from the Red Hut Bridge on the Tongariro River – click on TONGARIRO RIVER TRAILS heading above to view the dvd. (starring Boof)
TRM’s alternative programme provide about 5 hours walking over three quite different circuit tracks varying from local river trails, around a hidden lake and ending with an alpine walk to a spectacular waterfall. This combination is as good as the TAC (although we understand you still have to do the TAC when conditions are more suitable.).
1 One hour Tongariro River circuit with views over Turangi starting and finishing at TRM.
2 Two hour lake circuit through majestic mature bush in a native bird aviary around Lake Rotopounamu on SH 47. (10 minutes from TRM)
3 Two hour alpine circuit to Taranaki Falls returning through native bush at Whakapapa where there is an information centre and other facilities.
It is compulsory for TRM guests to finish these walks with a long recovery soak in the hot thermal pools at Tokaanu…
These walks and other local tramping tracks are also explained in more detail – refer to heading Alpine Crossing and Turangi’s Big Day Out headings above. Alternatively check it out at Turangi’s iSite where they have a major Tongariro Alpine Crossing display plus dvd of the crossing – see display board below.
1 pm Update:
Immediately after posting the above Daily Fishing (?) Report on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing we received feedback – requesting more info on Walking Option 3. So I dug around the old reports and found the following:
Amazingly, occasionally TRM accommodate guests who can’t fish. Very sad I know. Instead they stay here hoping to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (“TAC”).
But what do responsible caring motel managers – like SWMBO – recommend when the TAC is closed by unsuitable weather – which is usually about 20% of the summer and 80% of winter months.
First of course, She suggests the famous TRM crash course in fly fishing?. But more often than not they come here determined to walk the remote mountains, so TRM have an alternative TAC – an interesting day involving three really good hiking options.
But, I hear you ask, why is this part of a fishing report? Because some days you can’t go fishing or are fished out or the wind makes casting a lottery or you need a rest or whatever. So to provide a complete fishing service SWMBO even has plans for your days off. We know, such kind considerate hosts….
1 A river walk – She suggest inmates start the day with the 1 hour Tongariro River circuit – up to Koura Street swingbridge, back down the eastern side to main road bridge, and back to TRM for a cup of tea. This loop track usually needs the services of an experienced guide – Boof. This loop walk is compulsory for all guests.
2 A lake walk – Then She suggests the 2 hour walk around Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone lake) fully described elsewhere.
3 An alpine walk – Then SWMBO usually directs them further on SH 47 to turn off on SH 48 Bruce Road up to the Tongariro Chateau at Whakapapa Village. There is the next two hour loop walk to Taranaki Falls to finish their day. There are also other “must do” touristy attractions like the exhilarating ride to the sky on the ski lift and the fascinating Ruapehu visitor centre and a cafe serving hot chocolates at the end of the tramp as well.
So She cheated again and copied the better description from another website below… They have already explained everything that She prattles on about. (You can’t get as old as SWMBO without learning some new short cuts.)
Starting near three hundred metres below Whakapapa Visitor centre, at the end of Ngauruhoe place. This is a fantastic walk, which has a great display of both native bush and tussock vegetation, extensive lava formations over 15,000 years ago, not to mention the Taranaki Falls the best viewing is from the falls picnic area. The walk has excellent views of Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and the contrasting vegetation and differing land forms. The lower track passes through open tussock and alpine shrub lands before entering beech forest. On a clear day the symmetrical cone of Mt Ngauruhoe and the older more eroded mountains of Tongariro and Pukekaikiore can be seen. After entering the mountain beech forest, the track descends to the Wairere Stream, then climbs alongside it, passing the Cascade Falls. The forest consists mainly of large mountain beech trees, shiny broadleaf, mountain five-finger, umbrella ferns and mountain toatoa. Small native birds such as whiteheads, grey warbler and rifleman are commonly seen.
Once the track emerges from the forest it passes over Wairere Stream with impressive views of a small narrow gorge.
Uphill from here the first view of the Taranaki Falls is obtained, as the Wairere Stream spills over a 20 metre cliff into a boulder ringed pool.
This cliff is the edge of an andesite lava flow, estimated to be 15,000 years old, from a vent on Mt Ruapehu. The Wairere Stream now flows over the lava that originally displaced it, and is slowly eroding a channel through it.
The trail from the falls climbs up through a forest of mountain toatoa before joining the Tama Lakes track. Here the track turns right to cross the water worn rocks of the Wairere stream and climbs the shoulder of the lava flow, now covered with red tussock. Fine views of Mt Ruapehu, The Grand Chateau, and surrounding farm land beyond the Park boundary make this a popular resting point. Native birds likely to be heard in this area are pipits, fern birds and occasionally sky larks. Returning towards Whakapapa Village, the track crosses an interesting series of eroded gullies.
This erosion is caused by the natural effects of wind, rain and frost action on volcanic soils.
As the trail begins to sidle around the tussock shrub land and the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, it merges with the wider old Waihohonu horse trail. Here, various layers of pumice and ash from previous eruptions are exposed. After passing through the last patch of bush, the track emerges again into red tussock and manuka, leading easily back to Whakapapa Village.
