Routes — Day 1 climbing Tongariro

A highlight of this tramp is climbing to Tongariro summit, 1967m. The views are great and there is a kind of elation getting to the highest point on a mountain.

It is easy scramble. No problem if the weather is good.

On Tongariro you climb until you can get no higher. The summit is not a crater but a heap of volcanic boulders.

Tongariro summit

Surprisingly there is a lot of life atop the volcano; especially insect life. We were somewhat swarmed up there.

atop Tongariro, with Ruapehu in background

You may have a chance to slide down snow fields to speed your return to the junction. Go for it.