Cookie’s Senior & Senorita

Cookies Senior and Senorita

Dad Climbing Mount Doom (Ngauruhoe)

Climbing Mount Ngauruhoe

CookieNot quite sure why DOC hasn’t made a path up to the summit of Mount Ngauruhoe, because 50 odd tourists ‘making their own way’ up and down was pretty dangerous.. Every few minutes someone would shout “STOOOONE!” as something the size of a microwave flew over our heads..

There were quite a few irate folk having a go at the worst stone dislodging offenders, there was A LOT of people looking for friends and family they’d lost on the way down.. There was more than one sockless plimsole wearing girl, ankle deep in sharp volcanic rock who will be needing some Savlon tonight. There was even one lady muttering “I just want to get off this mountain alive!”

Mount Doom Summit Crater

Mount Doom Summit Crater

Dad on the Way Down

Eric Going Down Mt Doom

CookieThere was definitely a right way up and a right way down this mountain. Up was was definitely picking a way up through the broken, but slightly more solid ridge line (not in this photo). Down was definitely STRAIGHT DOWN the loose scree slope here, we’ll be at the bottom very shortly.

Straight Scree Run Down

Eric Steps Down

CookieMy dad might be 60, that’s right 60. But he knows the best way down scree is to keep the momentum going. Not sure what all the young-ens thought about the old silver fox flying past them on the descent though ;)

Little Big Bench

Little Big Bench

NickyIt doesn’t look it but it was well windy up at the top. Glad of this giant bench for a spot of lunch :) My little legs don’t touch the ground ;)

Mum & Dad Climbing with Mt. Doom in the Background

Mum and Dad Climbing with Mt. Doom in the Background

CookieI forgot to say – Nicky didn’t come with us today. Tomorrow we leave for 8 days solid kayaking down the Wanganui River, so she wants to be fully rested for that.

Mum and Dad on the Top of Mount Ruapehu

Mum and Dad on the Top of Mount Ruapehu

Mum and Dad Heading Back Down

Mum and Dad Heading Back Down

CookieComing down Ruapehu was much easier than Mt. Doom, the scree was of much finer granulation which makes for very predictable and fast downwards progress.