The second day is the big day.  Up to 2000 people can do the day hike on a busy summer day, so we tried to start early to avoid the masses. The clouds did not comply, so I ended up sitting and waiting for them to clear at the different sites through the day.  Sabrina and Luke climbed ‘Mount Doom’ of LOTR fame.  It was a very amazing day ~ the weather was beautiful as long as you were patient!

It has changed a lot in the 10 years since I was last here.  Mount Ngauruhoe erupted a few times, one of which landed a boulder onto one of the huts (luckily unoccupied at the time!).  It went through the roof and the bunks.  I didn’t go past that way on this trip, but they left it intact for display and the hut is now a day shelter only.

A cloudy start to the day.

Sunrise

The valley below

Mount Ngauruhoe or ‘Mount Doom’

Crater floor

Crater floor.  You can see tiny little people down there!

Emerald Lakes

The Red Crater with Mount Ngauruhoe behind

Blue Lake

Red Crater and Mount Ngauruhoe

Another of the Emerald Lakes

Emerald Lake w/ red crater

Hiking down the lava flow, Mount Ngauruhoe

A little life in the lava flow

Sunset