Keep up with us on our six month adventure to the other side of the world. We may have very well lost our minds, but that won't keep this from being the trip of a lifetime. We hope you'll join us!
April 25
NGAURUHOE — A.K.A. “MT. DOOM” While the entire day was absolutely spectacular and easily sits alone atop my list of things I’ve done in New Zealand, I would have to credit the side trip up Ngauruhoe with providing the most breathtaking moment for me so far. I’m pretty sure I’ve thrown the term “breathtaking” around a good bit on this trip, but I was quite literally made breathless for a few brief moments upon reaching the summit and taking in the view. I would put it in the category with the first time I stepped up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the moment I saw the Treasury in Petra, Jordan, for the first time. The top of Ngauruhoe has an elevation of 2,291 meters (nearly one and a half miles) and the climb up is on about a 30º to 35º slope of volcanic rock that range from large jagged boulders to patches of corse sand and every size in between. While the demanding climb up was lots of two steps forward and one step (or slide) back, the payoff at the top is beyond worth it. As you reach the summit, a snow-capped Ruapehu peeks up in the south from behind the far side of the crater. The crater itself is impressive, I would venture to say the size of a small basketball arena. To the east are smaller peaks and steam spouts shooting off into the sky above the red and black lava rocks. To the north you get the sense of how high you actually are, looking over a mile down the 30º slope to the base of the volcano. In the distance you can see Mt. Tongariro and a massive crater lake. Looking north, you also realize that both clouds and passing helicopters are below you. To the west you can see all the way across the to Mt. Taranaki on the coast. I have to imagine it is one of the most majestic places on earth.

NGAURUHOE — A.K.A. “MT. DOOM”

While the entire day was absolutely spectacular and easily sits alone atop my list of things I’ve done in New Zealand, I would have to credit the side trip up Ngauruhoe with providing the most breathtaking moment for me so far. I’m pretty sure I’ve thrown the term “breathtaking” around a good bit on this trip, but I was quite literally made breathless for a few brief moments upon reaching the summit and taking in the view. I would put it in the category with the first time I stepped up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the moment I saw the Treasury in Petra, Jordan, for the first time.

The top of Ngauruhoe has an elevation of 2,291 meters (nearly one and a half miles) and the climb up is on about a 30º to 35º slope of volcanic rock that range from large jagged boulders to patches of corse sand and every size in between. While the demanding climb up was lots of two steps forward and one step (or slide) back, the payoff at the top is beyond worth it. As you reach the summit, a snow-capped Ruapehu peeks up in the south from behind the far side of the crater. The crater itself is impressive, I would venture to say the size of a small basketball arena. To the east are smaller peaks and steam spouts shooting off into the sky above the red and black lava rocks. To the north you get the sense of how high you actually are, looking over a mile down the 30º slope to the base of the volcano. In the distance you can see Mt. Tongariro and a massive crater lake. Looking north, you also realize that both clouds and passing helicopters are below you. To the west you can see all the way across the to Mt. Taranaki on the coast. I have to imagine it is one of the most majestic places on earth.