Chris and Rikki in Auckland 2007

Number of images: 60
Created on: Friday 02 March 2007

We visited the North island.  We flew into Auckland,
spent a day there. Took the train south to National Park
(near Taupo on this map). We hiked the Northern Circuit
(see other figure). We then got back on the train and south
to Wellington. After a nice relaxing day on the beach, we
headed north again (on the train) back to near Hamilton.
There, we went black water rafting (i.e., tubing in an under-
ground cave with glow worms).
This is the 4 day Tongariro Northern Circuit hike. We
started at Whakapapa village and went counter-
clockwise. We slept in the huts (New Waihohonu,
Oturere, and Mangatepopo). Mt Doom is called Mt.
Ngauruhoe and is a volvano in a lot of our
pictures. We did not get to Mt. Tongariro.
New Zealand Our Hike of the Northern Circuit


         


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Our first stop, the airport
bar on Easter Island
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Our next stop, the Shakespeare
brewpub in downtown Auckland
(also our hotel).
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The West invades
New Zealand
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A dredger (note the
buckets) at the
Maritime Museum
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1950's in New Zealand
looks a lot like what it
was like in the NE US
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In the SkyTower, looking
down through the glass floor.
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Refreshment at the
SkyTower
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Auckland from the ferry
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The lighthouse in the
harbor
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Rikki on the ferry
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Across the harbor
looking back towards
Auckland
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On the train to National
Park
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Looking out of the back
of the train
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Chris enjoying the view
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Starting the hike
(northern circuit)
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Our first bridge
crossing and waterfall
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Rikki in front of Mt Ngauruhoe
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Chris (looking SE).
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Rikki in the forest.
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Our first night at the hut.
A long first day, right
off the train and then
a 6 hour hike.
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Sunset at the hut.
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Chris practicing his
orienteering skills
he picked up at PSU.
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Rikki
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Down in the bogs in
the valley below.
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Our second hut, Outere
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Inside the hit, a heater
and bunks.
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Plus a kitchen and
running water
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Relaxing by a cliff
overlooking a waterfall.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers
hat kept Rikki's head
warm on the cold nights
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Chris and Rikki
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Close up
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The only barcalounger
in sight.
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Mt Ngauruhoe at
sunset.
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At sunrise.
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Off we go again.
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We did not alter the
colors of this amazing
picture of one of the
 Emerald Lakes
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Chris double-checking
the map, hoping we don't
really have to clumb that
trail nehind him.
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Looking down at the
Emerald lakes
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Yes, we had to do that
climb.
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As close as we get
to Mt. Ngauruhoe.
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The top of our climb
(about 1500 m).
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On our way out of.
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Sunset over the
Volcano.
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Terrain change
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Follow the sign
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Rikki and Mt. Doom
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Chris waiting at the
Train Station
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Our train South.
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One of the many viaducts
(scary tall bridges).
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At the backpackers
(Moanna lodge) in
Plimmerton (near
Wellington).
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The beach.
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Finally, a hot
breakfast!
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Chris and Rikki
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Chris relaxing before
dinner (Indian food)
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Deer farms
(mmmmm, venison)
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Our B&B in
Waitomo
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Our room
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A nice bottle of wine
at sunset before dinner
(mmmm, fish and chips)
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There are a lot of
sheep here too!
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The next morning
before our caving
adventure.
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The cave entrance
from below
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Our group of 8
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Rikki starting her
rappel
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Next is Chris
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Taking a break in the cave (we're on the left)
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Back on the surface