The students arrived at Mt Ruapehu in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day collecting measurements in their new surroundings to analyse the processes that takes place in the national park.
The following day the group were up at 5.30am for an early start to begin their ascent through Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, one of the world's best one-day walks.
“It was a beautiful walk comprising of stunning features such as the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and Mangatepopo ‘U’ shaped valley,” says Geography Teacher-in-charge, Jennifer Mayne.
With wet and stormy weather forecasted for that afternoon, the group power-walked the crossing, completing it in just seven hours.
“We were fortunate to have fine weather the entire walk and breath-taking views as far as Mt Taranaki,” says Jennifer. “After successfully completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing we soaked our exhausted bodies in the Tokaanu Thermal Hot Pools, which was a lovely end to the hike.”
On the final day the group travelled to the Tongariro National Trout Centre where students fed the endangered Whio bird and learnt about the conservation work that the Department of Conservation and Genesis Energy are performing in the local area.
