Mt. Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom)

The volcano where the one ring to rule them all was forged, or more accurately the volcano Mt Doom was modelled off for Lord of the Rings movies. Located just off the track on the Tongariro Crossing is a very intimidating climb to the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe. In recent years climbers have been encouraged not to climb it due to the dangers involved with climbing to the summit.

*On way up make sure to use the solid ground of the ridge line otherwise you will end up sliding down as much as you gain height with each step. This is very important to remember if you are going to try to summit Mt. Ngauruhoe.*

On the way down you will be able to 'scree ski' down which allows you to make it down the mountain very quickly around half an hour where as getting up would've taken around two hours.

Scrambling or Climbing

Navigation Required

Alpine

2291m

Maximum Elevation

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Getting there

Go to the end of Mangatepopo Rd (dirt road) to find a medium sized carpark. That is the entry to the Tongariro Crossing track.

Route/Trail notes

Starting from the Mangatepopo Rd car park make your way down a very clear track that runs beside a creek. For the first few kms the track is quite flat but eventually you will get to a long stair case that ascends to the saddle between Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. From here you leave the main track and follow a faint track up the side of the volcano. Try and aim for the more stable ground as most of the mountain is just loose rocks on an extremely steep incline. It is hard going, you will be on your hands and knees trying to gain ground without sliding back down until close to the summit when the ground becomes stable enough to scramble up. At the top it is all worth it with amazing views of the Tongariro crossing and all the massive craters along the way. Descent back down the volcano is much quicker, it's a combination of walking and sliding and if you are coordinated enough you can get down pretty quickly.

Permits/Costs

Parking at Mangatepopo is limited to 4hrs. Either organise to be dropped off and picked up, or pay to get a shuttle to pick you up and drop you off. Alternatively parking is free from the other end of the Tongariro crossing, however this will increase the length of the walk.

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

Probably the hardest mountain I have done to date. The walk along the Tongariro crossing was pleasant but climbing the volcano was pure madness. One does not simply climb to the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe I suppose you could say. The scree is very slippery and the incline is insanely steep. We made it up making quick bursts of about 30 seconds then resting. Becomes a bit more rockier at the top and from there it is a lot easier to climb. Took about 1.5hr to get to the bottom of the volcano, 2hrs to the summit, 40min back down, 1.5hrs back to the carpark. Be prepared to destroy whatever shoes and clothes you are wearing on this mountain, you come back covered in dirt and your shoes get torn up by the volcanic rocks. But the view at the top is excellent, best vantage point of an area that could be best described as Mars-like. Glad I did it, won't be doing it again though.
Vonsnrub on 14 Feb, 2019