Queensland Term Abroad

View across Blue Lake. Note stacked, angled lava flows exposed in distance. Again, where is the vent from which these flows were erupted. Clearly, there's been rapid topographic change through eruption and erosion. Click here for a longshot view of Blue Lake. Hit your browser's back button to return to this page.

Andy's looking cool.

Scoria and pumice litter crater slopes

We're well past the half-way mark, but still have a lot to go. There are people visible on the trail on the left side of the picture. This view faces north; the large lake in the far distance is Lake Taupo, itself a caldera type volcano.

Strongly inclined volcanic strata visible in midground to right. Downslope is Lake Rotoaira. Lake Taupo lies beyond.

Recent water erosion formed this v-shaped valley. Note that plants other than lichen are common again.

Stopping for a late lunch.

View up plant-covered slope to eroded strata representing old eruptions.

We made a pit stop at the DOC (Department of Conservation, commonly spoken as "doc", as in "What's up doc?") trail shelter. The end is in sight from here, literally, but it's still a two-hour downhill hike.

The trail passes some areas on Tongariro's flanks that are actively steaming.

More venting. Note steam plume upslope.

We traversed a set of large switchbacks on the way down. Note the trail angling down the picture from about the center of the photograph toward the lower right. Hikers are visible on the trail in front of an unvegetated patch.

Steam vents..

The final steps of the Tongariro Crossing wind along a rushing stream tumbling through shady forest.