Tongariro Crossing

For Skywatch@Friday, My world
We were standing at the edge of Lake Taupo and gazed unto the mountains where we could see snow on the slopes despite it was early Autumn. The Water engineer and his mates had crossed this mountain range and describes in great passion about his nine hour ardous climb. He has great plans to do it again inviting 12 year old Sam. He told me that I had to train if I wanted to go with him next January. The photos are tempting, but oh! my poor knees.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a world-renowned trek.The crossing spans the length of Mt Tongariro (18.5 Kilometres) and takes about 7-9 hours. It is New Zealand best one day hike, commonly known as the Tongariro crossings. 
The Tongariro National Park is rich in cultural identity, it has dramatic scenery and unique land forms this combines to make the Tongariro Alpine Crossing a world-renowned trek. (Rated as the best one day trek in New Zealand and listed by many in the top 10 day treks in the world) Many who complete the 18.5 kilometre journey will tell you the climbs can be steep and the weather can be unpredictable. 
Tongariro still smokes, the ancestral fires still burn and the land lives on for all. Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu have all erupted in recent times. In 1990 the park was recognised as a World Heritaghe Site for its outstanding natural value. The Volcanoes in particular are noted for the frequency of eruptions, their highly explosive nature and the high density of volcanic vents. Then in 1993, Tongairo National Park became the first palce in the world to bge listed as a World Heritage Site for the Spiritual and cultural values that the landscape holds for indigenous people