Tongarioro Alpine Crossing

This hike in Tongariro National Park in the center of the north island is extremely popular. It is however fairly challenging - 19.4 KM and about 1000 meters climb. The weather was perfect - sunny and fortunately a cooling wind at the top. There are buses which drop one off and pick one up at the end of the trail. Our driver estimated that about 2000 people did it this day. On weekends they sometimes get up to 5000 people doing the crossing. Views were spectacular. Hugh and I did this and had to keep going. We felt reasonably fit after doing the Kepler tramp. Caroline sensibly decided her knees were not up to it.