Our 2nd multi-day hike was around a dormant volcano, Mt. Taranaki in Egmont National Park on the west coast of the North Island. A stunning conical shaped mountain, although elusive as Taranaki is often shrouded in cloud just as in this photograph:
Day 1: We experienced wind, rain and hail as we made our way along the narrow track. You can see our route in this photograph, including a heart-racing land slip we traversed one at a time...
The trail was wonderfully varied with swamps, forests and high alpine views.
Day 2: After a very cold night spent high in a hut (little more than a wooden shed) we woke to find a dusting of snow and spectacular views of the path we had followed previously:
The snow and the mountain looked fantastic in the early morning sun, although still no glimpse of the summit behind the cloud.
We found the tarn (small lake/puddle) from which the photograph on the front cover of the NZ Lonely Planet guide was taken. Still no summit view...
... then a magical (fleeting) moment as a gap in the cloud allowed us a peak (pun intended) of Taranaki's icy crown! Yay!
The views in all directions was awe-inspiring.
The two day tramp was really tough on the legs and lungs and included some challenges such as river crossings, steep climbs, huge tree roots and high swing bridges - not for the faint hearted!
This tramp currently holds the title of our favourite walk since we left the UK!
Those views are serious!
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