We saw that the path continued up and we were in it at this point so we decided to keep going. The payoff was Red Crater and Emerald Lakes. They were very nice, but truly, not worth it. After we ate our last snack we decided to head back. We saw the "trail" along the ridgline and it seemed well traveled so we decided to do it, why not? I will tell you why not. For one thing, it took us to the summit (this was not in the plan) of Mount Tongariro at a staggering, heart-breaking 6,600 feet. It was pure hell.
Matt and Cynthia (to be continued)
