Day 46, Mangatepopo River to Tongariro Holiday Park (1134)
A good night's sleep but things were very damp in the morning. There was a bright blue sky overhead but as we were fairly deep in the valley there was little chance of any sun so I just had to pack the wet tent and get on with it.
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| Morning from the tent |
It was a steep climb but as it was a quad bike track reasonably easy to walk although I'm not sure if I would like to do it on a quad.
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| Amazing bush scenery |
Only a short walk today because we went a bit further than planned yesterday and the hills ahead soon came into when I reached the road.
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| Smoke on the mountain |
There was a strange mist round the hills and a bit further down the road it became apparent that it wasn't mist but smoke.
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| Cloud building with the heat from the fires |
When I got to a strangely silent N47 road I turned on the phone and got a load of messages about a major fire on the Tongariro crossing with 43 people being evacuated from the hill overnight.
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| Heat cloud |
I realized that the chance of walking the Tongariro crossing tomorrow are now nil, a great shame as it is lovely volcanic walk.
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| In the campsite kitchen |
On the walk along the closed road to the Holiday Park I was stopped by the fire department who wanted to check that I was going to a safe place.
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| Nice paint job |
The holiday park was glad to see us as with the closed road they had no other custom although there was a threat that we would be evacuated as well.
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| Sunset smoke and fire over the campsite |
A nice sunny afternoon to spend playing cards, eating and washing.
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| Distant rain, pity it wasn't here |
Not sure what happens next!
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