The 'Wild Hogs' navigating the mighty Waiheke Island


Mike amongst some classic New Zealand bush - Waitomo


Post Luckie Strike Cave trip - nice to be in the sun


The crew mid abseil (rappel) - Luckie Strike cave system


'Above Ground' abseil practice


Putting it to use 100 metre abseil in the dark


It's not all mud, holes and coveralls


The Wild 'Hogette', Karin taking a breather


Mike ready to tear up the tarmac


The ferry to Waiheke Isalnd, with Auckland in the background


Room with a view, open air campsite - Waitomo

Well we have made it to Taupo and the second leg of our journey.

After arriving in New Zealand minus only one bag (Karin), we all made our way to the sleepy caving town of Waitomo on the west coast of the north island. After casually slipping by the large tourist operations we headed towards further west towards our overnight caving plan.

This part of the trip was a journey, where we explored the lower passages of the Luckie Strike cave system, then tramped to a 300+ foot overhanging cliff, where the crew abseiled (rappelled) to their awaiting camp underneath this monstrous overhang. After a night sleeping out with nothing but the over hang for protection, we bush bashed/climbed/abseiled our way into the Waipuna cave system following its long wide and wet passages to exit and a short hike back to the van.

After this two day mission the team headed to Curly’s Tavern for some well earned, burgers and beer.

Today we are headed south along Lake Taupo to the fishing/adventure town of Tokaanu where we are going rafting on the Class III Tongariro River, then tomorrow we are in for a big day either climbing Mt Ngaruhoe or doing the Tongariro Crossing.

Will upload some of the many photos that have been taken in the next couple of days so stay tuned for that

Happy Adventures

Team New Zealand

(aka: Karin, Kevin, Alvin, Hassan, Mike, Dave, Jon and Simon)