Hi all,
Can Tongariro be done while staying for only 2 nights in whakapapa?
In total I have 6 nights in NZ plan is to spend the first 2 nights in Auckland
Then Spend the next 2 nights in Whakapapa and then
Last 2 nights in Auckland.
1.Is this possible?
2.also can I do the Tongariro alpline crossing without a guide in End of may?
3. Is there a place to hire/rent hiking gear (boots, jackets etc)
TIA
How are you travelling - car, train or bus?
What sort of snow & ice experience do you have? The TAC could already be quite dangerous by the end of May. By having only 2 N at Whakapapa you are limiting your options to one day only. You would need to contact DoC at Whakapapa for up-to-date advice a few days before; and of course on the morning of your trip. You may also find that the shuttle operators have shut down for the winter. It would be safest to contact the guiding companies.
I hiked the Tongariro crossing 11 years ago in April and it was not an easy hike with great weather, it was tough but worth it. I agree with kereru, contact local guiding companies before you plan such a trip.
Are you talking about the crossing or circuit. The crossing is a long one day hike that has a different start and end point.
The circuit starts and ends in Whakapapa and is a 4 day hike. You could do it in 3 days but no less.
I would not recommend it in Winter as on top of the red peak gets some crazy bad weather.
May is going into Winter, the weather will get bad and the days will get darker faster.
Travelling by bus.
I've extended it to 3 Nights in Whakapapa.
What sort of snow & ice experience do you have?None, apart from walking a lot during snow in the UK
On this trip I am planning to do only the crossing.
It's looking like that even the crossing is going to be far more complicated during the end of may.
I might just stay in Auckland :(
It's one section that both pass through that is the problem. At the top of the red crater. I have been up their when the weather turns and it is not fun. You get zero visibility. The rest of the trail your reasonably low so it will be the usual wind and rain to deal with but when you start getting up the volcano you have extremely thick fog to contend with also. In winter it can snow in that area. If you get snow fall I wouldn't even attempt it. You better off to postpone your trip till summer or do something different to hiking while you here. Get out of Auckland and go to Rotorua or somewhere.
I think that if the weather is dangerous the shuttle operators won't take you. On the other hand there is a mob that guide winter crossings.
This 72 yo did it last October in fairly severe conditions - 0c at the top, high wind and cloud but no rain. There was snow on the ground in places. Here is a pic about half way up Red Crater - it's a steep scree slope, and for me the toughest part of the walk.
