Day 1: Hot Pools, Geothermal Thermal Springs and New Campsite

So today we awoke to a beautiful foggy morning at the Waikite Thermal Pools. After a groggy start, we started the day with a refreshing dip in the thermal pools.

As we watched the sun rise over the fog of the boiling river, we discussed the plan for the day.

We also took a quick trip to see the source springs again (this time in proper sunlight):

Much to our dismay, we had to leave the hot pools soon after, moving on to bigger and better geologic wonders. Once we had our campsite packed up (including our soggy, dew-covered tents, which did NOT dry after an hour, as we had hoped) we made our way to the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. It took a few hours, during which many people fell asleep.

The first thing we did when we arrived was visit the Lady Knox Geyser. This is a regularly erupting geyser that normally has a cycle of about 36 hours between eruptions. However, for us fine folks up early in the morning, one of the park staff enticed the geyser at a predetermined time by pouring a biodegradable surfactant (or soap, in the olden days) down the geyser's mouth. This destabilized the equilibrium between the cold layer near the surface and the superheated water below, causing a jet of water to shoot up almost 10 m in height - after the staff member had moved away, of course.

After the geyser we remained at the site and the second years learned how to take proper field notes from the fourth years. The second years were given examples of field notebooks, and allowed to sketch the geyser with the proper methods that had just been learned. We also learned about the back-arc extensional rift zone (the area of mantle convection above a subducting plate) that allowed this geothermal system to exist in the first place.

After the sketching we moved into the park itself. This was where the real wonder began.

The vast number and quality of the thermal formations was astounding. We saw several geothermal craters, bubbling mud pits and even a lime green lake of sulfur.

The most iconic feature was the Champagne Pool, a 60-meter-wide by 62-meter-deep pool of acidic, 74-degree water, adjacent to which was the "Artist's Pallette", an overflow reservoir containing bright splotches of sulfur, antimony, mercury, and ferrous salts.

A view from the edge of the Champagne Pool, looking over to the Artist's Palette

Alternate view of the Artist's Palette

Once we completed the hike, we arrived at our new campsite. The best part of the site is that it is on Lake Taupo, with a picturesque view of the Tongariro-area volcanic formations. After going for a quick dip, and a great deal of waiting to cook dinner, we were finally fed and sent off to bed.

That was our day in a nutshell. Tomorrow, TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK awaits! (20 km hike next to volcanoes!) We hope the weather stays beautiful!