New Zealand is a very young country both in terms of human history and its geology.  It is part of the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire” – a string of volcanoes and seismically active zones around the Pacific Ocean. For anyone interested in geology and volcanoes, New Zealand is a true paradise, with a long list of volcanic and mountain formations to explore. 

The Central Volcanoes of the North Island – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro are easily accessible. In addition to their geological wonders, they offer terrific hiking, rock climbing in summer and skiing in winter. In this article, I’ll explore just a few of the long list of the Central Volcanoes’ attractions, along with some useful information. 

Location 

To begin with, the Central Volcanoes are located just south from the Taupo Lake (and township) and are approximately 4-5 hours’ drive south from the Auckland city. They are part of the Tongariro National Park, and more information about the recent conditions, tracks, nature and anything else you might be curious about can be found at the local Department of Conservation offices.  

There are several places to stay around Taupo and Turangi, as well as some backcountry huts in the mountains. If you are planning a winter trip, you will probably want to find indoors accommodation, or the weather conditions are likely to be poor. 

Weather 

These three magnificent volcanoes are some of the most prominent land features of the entire North Island, standing tall and unprotected from any of the storms that hit that part of New Zealand. Given their relatively high elevation and high exposure to the elements, the volcanoes are notorious for their fast weather changes that can get you in trouble. It is not uncommon for hikers and skiers to get caught in a complete white-out in a matter of minutes, which with poor preparation might be detrimental. 

Before heading out for a hike, even if it is just a short day trip, always make sure to check the mountain weather forecast on metservice, compare the car-park elevation conditions to those higher up, and prepare accordingly. It never hurts to carry a light, waterproof/windproof jacket and an emergency blanket, even in the best of conditions. 

Hiking the Central Volcanoes 

Tongariro Crossing 

The most popular and well known track of the region is called the Tongariro crossing. The popular version is a day trip across the craters of Tongariro, but a longer, multi-day circuit version is also available. The day crossing is a 20 km one-way hike across the incredible rough volcanic terrain with its unique flora, rock formations and spectacular landscapes. The first section of the trail leads you through volcanic flats and ash fields from the recent 2012 eruption. After the first hour or of two of hiking, the trail starts climbing up the crater area. If you want an extra challenge, take a side tour up the Mt Ngauruhoe– a steep scree climb that will take you several hours to get up and 15 minutes to get down. 

Continue through the flats until another climb leading to the colourful Red Crater and Emerald Lakes. Excellent photo opportunities will be plentiful at this lunar-like place. The trail passes several other craters and steaming springs until it start descending into a luscious green native forest on the other side. Well worth the day! However, make sure to arrange transport at the end of the track, as it ends on the different side of the mountain. The best is to hike with friends and have two cars, but shuttle options are also available.

Mount Ngauruhoe Climb 

We have all seen the Lord of the Rings and know of the mighty ring mission to Mount Doom. Well in fact, you can climb it yourself – the mountain actually exists and it’s called Mt Ngauruhoe. The climb up Ngauruhoe summit is a 3h hike (6 km) from summit crater or approximately 6-7 h (19km) return from Mangatepopo parking area. Most of the climb is up a steep loose rock/scree field, which is extremely exhausting to climb up and very quick and effortless to get down. The views are, needless to say, breath-taking, especially if you get a clear day. 

The surrounding landscapes are equally as spectacular, with rough and unique shapes and colours. 

Exploring Mount Ruapehu 

Mt Ruapehu is the largest of the three volcanoes with a number of distinct features. One of them, which is well worth the visit, is the Crater Lake. It is a colourful, acidic lake that serves as an indicator for the volcanic mountain activity. Colours vary based on the temperature: from green tones at around 10 degrees C to grey, at 60 degrees C.  The contrasting shades of the lake with colourful volcanic rock, ashes and residual snow makes for a really spectacular view. There are no specific defined routes on the mountain, but given its distinct shape, it is easy to navigate with a help of a map and some common sense. If you are less experienced navigating in mountain terrain, I suggest you find some people who are, or take a GPS device with you, so that you could backtrack your route. 

The Central Volcanoes in Winter 

Ruapehu is a major skiing mountain, where majority of the New Zealand North Island skiers gather. The Mountain is so massive that it contains three ski resorts – Whakapapa and Turoa being the main ones and a third smaller Tukino ski field. It is also possible to do some ski touring outside and above the ski resorts, and explore locations such as the Central Plateau – an incredibly scenic vast Ruapehu summit area with its peaks framing the white shiny fields. 

Ice and mixed climbing is also an option on the Ruapehu mountain, but are both condition-dependent You should consult the New Zealand Alpine Club for more information. 

Image Credit & Copywrite: Br3nda, https://www.flickr.com/photos/taniwha/

Rock Climbing Around the Central Volcanoes 

Where there’s rock, there’s climbing (most of the time). There are several interesting rock climbing options around the Tongariro National Park. Some really good areas include Mangatepopo valley, Whakapapa Gorge and Tukino climbing crags. Most of the climbing in these areas is traditional – requiring gear placements to protect the climb. 

Gear 

The best part about many of the Central Volcano hikes is that they are packed with sights and exciting landforms, but can be done in day, which means that even those visiting for a brief period can have a taste of what it is all about. However, hiking up the volcanoes you are entering alpine environment, and hence you should be ready for any unexpected circumstances. A light backpack for a day will fit food to fuel you for the day (including extra emergency snacks), some extra warm and waterproof layers, a first aid kit with an emergency shelter and sufficient water. Don’t forget a pair of sunnies and sun-block if it’s sunny outside. It’s easy to get severely sunburnt in New Zealand due to the Ozone-layer hole. 

Concluding remarks 

The Central Volcanoes of the North Island are an exceptional and a memorable location. The area is famous for its geology, vegetation, scenery and much more.

After you are finished exploring the volcanoes, make sure to stop at the peaceful waters of Lake Taupo. The area is also very rich in cultural heritage and history – a very special treat. 

Last week, I had the privilege of being involved with the media team for the first Yeti Trans NZ Enduro. It was a 5 day multi-stage, multi-location Enduro race across the South Island of New Zealand.

It started up in the Craigieburn Range, traveled to Mt. Hutt, Coronet Peak, Alexandra, and finished off near the Skyline bike park in Queenstown. Below is a video re-cap of each day that I put together. Day 1 has no riding in it, but shows the amazing atmosphere of the group of 100+ riders, and 30+ volunteers that were involved in the race. For more info and to join us next year, check out the Tranz NZ Enduro Facebook page.

For more info and to join us next year, check out the Tranz NZ Enduro Facebook page or visit the Trans NZ Site.

Video:
Jason Beacham
Ronan Dugan
Matt Wood

Edit:
Jason Beacham
208 Media
facebook.com/208medianz

Drone footage:
Ronan Dugan
SRD Photography
facebook.com/ronanduganphotography?ref=hl

I got to go up a little known local bit of singletrack with a few of the boys today and put this together.

The trail is called Gum Ta Native, in the bush behind the town of Te Aroha, New Zealand.

It was all hand built by one man (who is actually in jail now – oops), including all of the bridges, rock work, and terracing, over the course of about 10 years. There is no fancy editing, no slo-mo, no music, just the sounds of the forest, bikes, and a bit of fun thrown in. Sometimes the simplest things are the best!

Riders:
Doug Battersby
Lester Perry

Not my best best season yet with injury, travel, and bad weather getting in the way, but still a good one!

Check out the first four episodes of Season 2, shot in New Zealand, as well as the Sub Par Skier YouTube channel.

Music: Shihad – Home Again

After a pre-season filled with rain, we finally got a massive dump of snow! This allowed us to finally get up for a few days. Day 1 was bluebird with good coverage, but not much open, meaning we hiked up to get the best snow. Which was a good choice! Day 2 was high winds, creating some pockets of fun snow, with variable conditions, which forced an early closing that day. It ended up being a great way to start the season! Here’s looking forward to the rest!

Skiers: Jason Beacham Chris Dews
Snowboarders: Clinton Gray Dean Hishon

Music: Tapes n’ Tapes Freak out
Shot by Jason Beacham, Clinton Gray, Dean Hishon
Edit by Jason Beacham 208 Media

Started with a good day skiing with my wife and daughter, then had a “skiing by braille” experience, then had a super fun day that ended with one of the biggest crashes I’ve had in the past 10 or so years. It was still good times! What can I say? I LOVE SKIING!!

Music: Poison Nothin’ But A Good Time

Skiers: Jason Beacham Chris Dews

Music: Peking Duk – “High”

Queenstown, New Zealand is known as the adrenaline capital of the world for the wide range of activities from paragliding to jetboating. However, there is one thing that started in Queenstown and is considered a must when you visit there… BUNGY JUMPING. We decided that since it was our first day there we should get it over with rather than being nervous the entire stay. We booked it right before we went to bed so naturally I was very nervous and didn’t sleep well.

In the morning we walked to the center early to catch our bus to the bungy spots. They made us sign our life away, wrote a bunch of markings on our hand, and we took the most quiet shuttle with a bunch of terrified faces all around us. We got to the first place, which was the Kawarau Bridge, known as the first commercial bungy jumping in the world. Fortunately for me, I got to watch Grace get ready first and go through the prepping. After the video we watched, she walked over to the bridge where a couple of guys got her set-up and I nervously awaited for her. She was the first one of the day and had a nice crowd watching her. After they counted down from 3, Grace did a beautiful leap with her arms out and no hesitation. After a free-fall of 43m (141 feet) she almost grazed the turquoise water of the river below. Yelling and laughing the entire time I was impressed, however the chills overcame my body because I knew that I was up next.

I did a different bungy nearby up in the Nevis Canyon which was also where we did the canyon swing. Once we got to the top I was hooked up with my harness and brought in a little cable car over to where the jump site was. We got into the pod, they put me in this little chair and strapped me up. They walked me over to the ledge and my heart began racing like crazy, but I knew hesitating would make things worse. After the countdown they gave me I jumped right away and began my 8.5 second free fall of 134m (440 feet). I don’t think that I have ever screamed that hard and once I got pulled back up from the bungy I could do nothing but laugh. I got to the top still shaking, but felt safe, until I realized that we were doing the canyon swing next. We walked around the corner down a skinny bridge to the canyon swing were Grace got her harness on and was ready for more.

The Nevis Canyon Swing is the largest one in the world, you start by free falling 180 feet (60m) then the harness catches you and you swing 900 feet (300m). Grace went first and as she was hanging ready to fall an employee ask’s her, “would you like a countdown?” She replies “yes” and he tells her to wave to me then “DROP” she is gone and all I see is a yellow spec flying through the air. She came back with a big smile, then it was my turn. I got a similar treatment but I think I may have been more prepared.

It was an amazing experience and once we got back we walked around Queenstown enjoying the city and paragliders flying through the air. Queenstown is an entire city with the Spread Stoke mentality and should be somewhere that any thrill-seeker needs to make it to.