Rangitoto Island - November 8, 2008

I finally made it out for a tramp on Rangitoto Island. The weather was lovely, I had a great time by myself, and the only stupid thing I did was forget my extra sunblock (which I paid for dearly...ouch). Rangitoto is the newest volcano in the Auckland Volcanic range. It erupted and formed circa 1400 and was quite the surprise for the local Maori who watched it explode out of the Harukai Gulf. *lol* In any case, because it is so new, much of the island is still bare volcanic rock. The parts that are vegetated make up the largest Pohutakawa forest in New Zealand. I was only out tramping for about 4 1/2 hours, but that was plenty of time to trek to the summit, eat lunch, explore the lava caves, come back down, and then wander along the waterfront while waiting for the ferry.