The Desert Road

When we left our house to head up the island there was thick ice on the car. We travelled through sun, fog and cloud and then we came to the Desert Road. It was spectacular. I love the road at any time but had never been through it in the middle of winter so it was great to see it in all its glory.

Mount Ruapehu

Mount Ngauruhoe

Cassia and Maia enjoying the snow!

If you see in the foreground of the above picture there is a grey grainy scree on the ground (I'm not a geologist so bear with me for the right words!). When you walked on it it crackled and your footprints left this on the ground:

It was like little ice needles under the surface of the ground. I've never seen anything like this before and it was fascinating and beautiful to see.

If anyone knows the correct term for this phenomenom then I'd be much obliged!