Thanks Gary! Feb is a great (although busy) time to do it. 3.5L was pretty perfect for me, had less than .5L left at the end so wouldn’t have taken any less than that. There are basic washroom facilities around the Soda Springs turnoff and at Ketetahi Shelter around two hours from the end. You want to hold your breath and go fast but they’re pretty well maintained.

Sooo many people! But still a great hike. And no worries – you only ever see protests in your own country (even as an Aussie, all I saw in NZ were celebrations of Waitangi Day).

Wow that’s crazy! Your picture of the queue at the chain ascent made me laugh as I remember that spot well. Thanks for informing me on Australia Day too.

However, as an Aussie, I do need to point out that Australia Day sees just as many protests as Waitangi Day – especially since, unlike NZ (which was polite enough to name the day what it is, rather than keep it as “New Zealand Day”, which it was for a brief period), we celebrate the day of European settlement of the continent. “Invasion Day” is the second most common name for the day, so it’s not all celebrations!

So true – it’s a bit like another planet up in the volcanoes.

Such a great idea!

I seriously thought that for years, I think taking it at your own pace is the key. Certainly some of the people on the track should not have been there but they must have all made it out ok!