New Zealand 2 - More volcanic adventures

The journey to Mt. Doom (Tongariro Crossing)
Another highlight from the Taupo Volcanic Zone on the North Island is Tongarirro Crossing with Mt. Ruhapehu. The following fotos are from a day walk we did up Mt. Tongariro.
















The drive to Tongariro NP. with Mt. Ruhapehu in the background.



The walk is not nearly as gloomy as the Lord of the Rings movie wants us to believe. It started out really nice with grass and sunshine - and I think we also had much better weather than Frodo (he must have done most of the hike at night).



This is a bit more like it. In the backround are the slopes of Mt. Ngauruhoe.



The route passed the yellow crater - a moon landscape between the surrounding volcanic cones.



Just a few steps further the color chances and we had magnificent views of the Red Crater.



This thing looked very much alive - steam was rising from vents in the bottom and walls of the crater.



A stunning view on 'Mordor' from the rim of the red crater.



More awesome views - the colour of the lakes is really bright blue (caused by some minerals).

















The black plain of the central crater with some sparse vegetation.