Ok, so the big event in the past couple days has been the Tongariro Crossing - the best one day tramp in NZ - no arguments here. Sonja (from Austria) and I couldn't have asked for a better day. People kept telling us how cold and misserable is would be and how windy and basically left you no desire to do the walk. But we got on the shuttle bus at 7:20 (so early for me) and headed out. I had bundled up, but not long into the walk found myself getting rid of lots of the layers. Anyways, basic synopsis. You walk through the Mangatepopo valley until Soda Springs wh
ere you start the longest steepest climb I have ever done on a hike. Pretty intense. Up to your right is Mt. Ngauruhoe and to your left is Mt. Tongariro, both active volcanos. When you reach the first summit, you cross through South Crater (looks like I imagine the moon), then over for another steep climb and up to Red Crater (looks like an amusement park ride where the roller coast comes out of a volcano). Then down a very steep hill (lots of people slipping on the scree) to emerald lakes, which are very beautiful, but stink something awful of sulphur. The accross central crater and the the long decent down to the end of th
e trail at Ketetahi. Pretty intense and such a variety of very cool landscapes. Hopefully the pictures speak for themselves. It's 17km, we took our time, but it was still 7 and a half hours on the trail. What an awesome day. Then back to the backpackers where we went out for apple crumble at the pub next door. Played some pool and then back to the hostel for some well deserved hot tub time. Yesterday and today are lazy days. This afternoon I head to Taupo.
Ok, so the big event in the past couple days has been the Tongariro Crossing - the best one day tramp in NZ - no arguments here. Sonja (from Austria) and I couldn't have asked for a better day. People kept telling us how cold and misserable is would be and how windy and basically left you no desire to do the walk. But we got on the shuttle bus at 7:20 (so early for me) and headed out. I had bundled up, but not long into the walk found myself getting rid of lots of the layers. Anyways, basic synopsis. You walk through the Mangatepopo valley until Soda Springs wh
ere you start the longest steepest climb I have ever done on a hike. Pretty intense. Up to your right is Mt. Ngauruhoe and to your left is Mt. Tongariro, both active volcanos. When you reach the first summit, you cross through South Crater (looks like I imagine the moon), then over for another steep climb and up to Red Crater (looks like an amusement park ride where the roller coast comes out of a volcano). Then down a very steep hill (lots of people slipping on the scree) to emerald lakes, which are very beautiful, but stink something awful of sulphur. The accross central crater and the the long decent down to the end of th
e trail at Ketetahi. Pretty intense and such a variety of very cool landscapes. Hopefully the pictures speak for themselves. It's 17km, we took our time, but it was still 7 and a half hours on the trail. What an awesome day. Then back to the backpackers where we went out for apple crumble at the pub next door. Played some pool and then back to the hostel for some well deserved hot tub time. Yesterday and today are lazy days. This afternoon I head to Taupo.
1 comment:
Hi Ali,
I'm at Michella's house right now with her and Hal. We wish you were here! We got drunk last night (surprise surprise) and some boys asked about you. Wish you were here.
Jenny Penny
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