Tag Archive for: Great Walks

Maori and Their Myths

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Chapter 3: A Story Full of Love and Passion

Snow-covered Ngauruhoe seen from near the Old Waihohonu Hut, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

Volcanoes and their fiery forces have always been regarded with respect and fear by many peoples. They are part of a living universe, whose incomprehensible, superhuman powers were sought to be appeased with offerings, or a tapu, a prohibition, demanded appropriate respect. Thus, for a long time, people travelled in awe along the mountains, without ever casting a glance at the sacred peaks. There, the supernatural rulers – Te Roro, Taka and Taunapiki – reign; a disregard for their tapu brought with it the danger of death or a terrible curse. Read more

Snow dance on the volcano

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Chapter 6: Winter sports and winter experiences in the park

Snowboarders in the Whakapapa ski area, Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

It’s hip. It’s cool. And it’s incredibly good fun. Snowboarding! That’s why whole crowds of young New Zealanders are putting their surfboards in the garage and switching to the snow. Because in winter, dreams come true—at least for winter sports enthusiasts. Where else can you experience white powder snow dreams on an active volcano? Three ski areas are located on the slopes of Ruapehu. Tukino, the smallest of the three in the east; Turoa in the south, which has the driest powder snow and the coldest temperatures; and finally Whakapapa, New Zealand’s largest ski area. Whichever area you choose, you’ll find long runs, up to four metres of snow, a magnificent backdrop and enough cliffs to get plenty of air under your board… Read more

Hut Wardens on their day off

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Two New Zealanders

Over Easter, I was busy working as a hut warden in Tongariro National Park along with many other colleagues. You can take on jobs like these even without a work permit, as you only get a subsistence allowance for it – the dreamlike time in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful places is free (as are the warden rooms in the mountain huts, which are often comfortably furnished with gas cookers, heating, sinks, etc.).

Megan and Heidi, two New Zealanders, both worked there for a summer season as Hut Wardens. Our tasks included maintaining paths, bridges, and hut facilities, checking tickets and overnight fees, and providing hikers with information about the park and, above all, the weather. After five days in the wilderness, we always enjoyed the comforts of a house available in Turangi for our days off, for things like a shower and personal grooming. We quickly got rid of the money we’d saved in the park due to the lack of things to buy: fresh fruit and vegetables, a cold beer in the pub…

Primeval forest at Lake Waikaremoana

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Primeval forest Lake Waikaremoana, Te Urewera National Park New Zealand

The rainforest areas around Lake Waikaremoana are some of the few remaining contiguous primeval forests in New Zealand. A multi-day hike around the lake offers all facets of the wild “Land of the Mist”, as the Te Urewera National Park surrounding the lake in the east of New Zealand’s North Island is known. Further reports and pictures can be found in the New Zealand gallery or the New Zealand category.

Red Crater and Ngauruhoe, Tongariro National Park

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Red Crater, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

The Red Crater is the highlight of the Tongariro Crossing, the hike through the volcanic massif of Tongariro National Park, which can also be extended into the Northern Circuit. At this point, the paths from Oturere, Ketetahi and Mangatepopo Hut meet. The vibrant green Emerald Lakes contrast with the sulphurous yellow, red, and black ashes of the Tongariro Red Crater, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu volcanoes in the background.

Milford Sound, Fjordland

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Milford Sound, Fjordland New Zealand

Steep granite walls rise high into the sky. The valley walls, left behind by once mighty, grinding glaciers, are now clothed in lush rainforest. This region experiences some of the country’s most adverse weather; it usually pours down, with waterfalls cascading down the bare rocks. As soon as the sun shines, which is a rare occurrence, millions of sandflies hunt for tourists, for whom Milford Sound is still a ‘must-see’ on their journey. For hikers on the Milford Track, this place marks the end of their dreamlike path through the wilderness of Fiordland National Park.

McKinnon Pass, Milford Track, Fiordland National Park

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McKinnon Pass, Milford Track, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

A highlight of the trek on the Milford Track is the pass crossing from Clinton Canyon into the Arthur Valley below Mount Balloon. From there, you get impressive views of the glacier-carved U-shaped valleys and the rugged granite peaks here in Fiordland. A short and worthwhile scramble over scree and boulders leads to Mount Hart, provided the weather is stable and good.