Tongariro Northern Circuit

Oturere hut

Kokatahi to Toaroha

A circuit through beautiful West Coast country in superb weather, taking in Whakarira gorge with a lone whio, a freshly re-cut section of track from Boo Boo up to Pinnacle, and getting lost in fog on the descent to Adventure biv.

Reaching Whakarira gorge

Boo Boo hut

Pinnacle Biv - unlined and mouldy, which is a bit of a shame considering the wonderful spot.

Dave taking it easy on the way to Genoa peak. This is roughly where my Osprey pack’s ‘anti-gravity’ claim was tested, failing by about 100 vertical metres.

Pt 1618

Adventure biv

Lake Morgan Hut, Cone Creek Hut

Another excellent 3-day loop in fine weather, this time in the Haupiri hills beginning on Gloriavale Christian Community land.

Emerging from the Haupiri scrub.

Brian O’Lyn - our route continued over the saddle to the left.

Descending Mt O’Shanessy towards Lake Morgan

Golden tops travel to Lake Morgan hut in time for tea

We spent the evening with three men from Gloriavale. Gentlemen, except that on being offered my Whittaker’s coconut chocolate they swiftly took the entire bar and presented me with scroggin instead (?!)

An early start from Lake Morgan to reach Cone Creek before the heaviest of the rain

On the spur east of Lake Morgan, before dropping down to the basin and passing the tarn at far left

Happy to rejoin the track to Cone Creek hut after descending a slippery unstable scree chute from the lower basin

The bath - one of many side creeks around Cone Creek hut

Cone Creek hut. Dry, cosy and a full house by 5PM

Dave, Cone Creek. We didn’t get a photo of the hot springs at the confluence of Cone Creek and the Haupiri River, but the temperature was excellent even if the pools themselves weren’t too photogenic.