Along we continued, heading south through the North Island towards National Park. One of the primary features in National Park is Mt Ruapehu – otherwise known as that volcano that Peter Jackson used for Mount Doom. One of New Zealand’s best day hikes is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 19.6km odyssey, up and over the pass in between the two volcanoes (the very ambitious can summit the volcanoes – I am not one of the very ambitious) but I had been toying with the idea of doing the crossing. It seemed like the thing to do when you’re in New Zealand.
Mount Doom - the day before. It doesn't look that big does it?? The pass that I hiked is to the left.
Smiling now - but inside I'm thinking "What have I signed up for??"
The day started early – the shuttle bus to the crossing left at 7:00am. Already I’m thinking “what have I gotten myself into”. Luckily on the Magic Bus I’d met people who had also chosen to complete the walk, so at least I’d have people to walk with. The hike started off easy enough – a couple of kilometres on relatively flat terrain. But then we got to the stairs (which the shuttle driver had helpfully pointed out that the locals refer to these as the Devil’s Stairs). Midway up, we had to stop for a snack break, and to take pictures of the amazing vista. At the top of the stairs, you hit the South Crater, which is beautiful, and desolate.
Yeah - we all look happy now.
Looking back towards the car park about 1km in - can you see the path?
The start of the stairs. Ugh, the stairs.
Looking back over how far we've come.
Glo gets in on the action.
I'm smiling because I think the worst is over. Hah - little did I know.
Inside the crater.
Looking back across the crater. I'm feeling pretty proud now.
It was then time for another incline – what I like to refer to as the Devil’s Sick Joke. It wasn’t so much a walk up a hill as a hands-on-the-ground scramble up and over boulders on the side of a mountain. But then you got to the top and saw the Red Crater. The terror starts to fade in the face of beauty.
Doesn't look too bad - does it? That's part of the sick joke.
Mount DOOOM!!
See - sick joke.
The Red Crater
One more little ascent to go, and then begins the descent, down towards the Emerald Lakes. I can’t even describe what it was like to see the lakes. But I can describe the descent down to them – terrifying. You walk/slide/fall down the side of a mountain on loose volcanic scree – think gravel, but looser, and it hurts more when you fall on it. And you have to empty your boots when you get to the bottom.
The Skree Slope.
Jenny, Diane & I.
This begins the long descent back to the carpark, where the shuttle picks you up at the end of the walk. It’s brilliant, up until the last 3km. I don’t know what it was, but at the 16.5km mark, I hit a wall. I’d walked far enough, my blisters were starting to get blisters, and all I wanted was for the walk to be done. But the sense of accomplishment when I walked into the carpark was immense. Although I do maintain that there should be a congratulatory sign at the end at the very least. Although we did treat ourselves to Nachos, Cake and Wine that night.
Looking back!
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