Ok...so it's actually Wednesday, March 19th and I'm fixing to hike the Tongariro Alpine Pass which will saddle between Tongariro and Ngauruhoe (the latter starred in the Lord of the Rings as Mt Doom!). It's raining steadily so I'm camped out in my rental car, waiting for the weather to pass. I've been so engrossed in travel the last few days I haven't even put thoughts to paper...Time to catch up.
At Egmont/Taranki Maunga I'm at the Visitor's Center parking lot, planning my next day when I notice the full moon rising. I probably shouldn't but I can't resist the urge. Moonlit hike up a volcano? Yes please. It's strictly forbidden to hike at night, alone no less, and without informing anyone?...tsk tsk. Keep hush.
The path is brilliantly illuminated and steep. The tall canopy gives way to nipple-high shrubbery quite rapidly. Not long after that, low scrub and boulder fields. I keep my headlamp off for the most part, not wanting to draw undo attention up here. Whenever I've seen hikers with headlamps in the mountains you could always spot them what seemed like miles away.
Initially the track is broad and easy to make out in the moonlight. About an hour and a half of marching upward and it has narrowed considerably. Not far on and I've lost all semblance of a way forward in the dark. Strictly boulders here, can't make out a path. Ah well...squat down on this rock and enjoy the moonlight. Can't share pictures. The camera's eye sees only gloom, not as my eye perceives. Take my word for it; volcano side bathed in silver is sublime.
Stars above are unfamiliar, except for...those three in a row. Why that's Orion's Belt! But where is the hunting dagger he typically wears? Blimey! That ol' giant is upside-down! What a goofball! So it is in this neck of the woods, the southern hemisphere.
Getting chilly sitting still. Get moving again. A direct return will get me back to the parking lot around midnight, but I've got some hike left in me yet. Another path presents itself. Around the Mountain Track, just for a wee bitty. There's some kind of radio tower ahead. Perhaps an hour out and another back. Go for it. The shadows are dark here, unsteady cobbles beneath my feet. Steep slope falls abruptly away and sharp boulders below. Gingerly now, keep your feet so as to avoid twisted ankle in the gloom. There and back.
Arrive at the car and it's 2am. Orion is taking a nose dive beyond the ridge. That dog won't hunt. Get some sleep. Onward.
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