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tongariro
After hiking the Able Tasman Track I headed off to work on the north island where I was hoping to do more backpacking. The only problem was that it was winter, and I didn't have shoes to hike at Tongariro National Park, or as some know it. Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings. The greatest one day hike is on this mountain. There are a number of other routes you can take, including a 3 day hike around the mountain, or a longer 5 day hike that also goes around Ruapehu below, which is just south of Tongariro. If you like downhill skiing there is a ski slope on Ruapehu with a very nice large lodge. Another volcanoes on the north island is Taranaki. Unfortunately the weather wasn't very nice.  This picture of the waterfall was the only picture worth posting. There are a number of trails on the mountain but you won't want to wonder off the trail. The vegetation is so thick you'd be lost 5 minutes after leaving the trail. One person I worked with while there is involved in Search and Rescue and he can attest to this. It was so thick I can't imagine anyone even thinking of doing so.

rupehu
taranaki

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