Tongariro Crossing - phew!
Another hugely action packed day - we did the Tongariro Crossing. For those who don't know, this is an 18km full day hike in the Tongariro National Park, which is full of beautifully scenic snow-capped mountains and a really tough challenge. It's recommended as one of New Zealand's greatest walks.
There were times when were walking on a steep slant across snowed-in mountains with no barriers, no walkway, nothing. So literally at death's doorstep for the majority of it. We finished it in 6hr 30mins which is not too bad.. they say it normally takes between 7-9 hours. At one point I was just dawdling along and then *woosh* - my foot went knee-high into the snow. Wasn't expecting that! Even though you try to follow in other people's footsteps (quite literally) it's still hard to judge the snow. It was SO bright that your eyes play wierd tricks on you. The views were *out of this world*, and the challenge of it was even more satisfying.
Although now both Ketan and I are limping and complaining a lot :)
And we have photos again - I'm getting good at this photo malarkey!
(A quick backtrack as I forgot to blog about it - before Taupo we went to Waitomo, which is famous for the Glow-worm underground caves. It was spectacular sight, like thousands of little stars lit up just above your head in pitch black - unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos there but I thought I'd tell you all about it none-the-less).
11 comments
It looks amazing..loving the photos!
wow that looks brilliant... me and arun did that in March and it was brilliant, kinda jealous that you got to do it in the winter.
Wow - it looks amazing in winter! i reckon i would had even more stress out on it if it was snowy when i did it! the knee deep in snow.. ARGHH! and what you said about the light being really bright, i wouldn't have liked that at all.
i laughed out loud about limping and complaining... we literally could move that evening and then for about 4 days after. Photos are good. Are you chilling out in Taupo before you move on - recover from the Crossing?!
x
Phew, I thought it was only me and Nilesh that hobbled around like geriatrics for the next 4 days... x
P.S Cried on Devil's Staircase? Yep.
Woooooohhhhhh!Beautiful scenery.Are you going to rest for few days?
jo - i am actually sittin here laughing out loud at your second comment. i felt your pain..!
Dudes
This looks sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awsome, im happy and depressed a the same time.
Happy for you guys, depressed for me being stuck in the office.
Have lots of fun guys, it looks like you already are!
Amar
Awesome!
Was one of my favourite days of my trip, really glad you enjoyed it too :)
Was it also insanely hot then insanely cold for you too?! Ridiculous place, so cool.
This looks soo unreal, can only imagine how crazy this would have been in real life!! 'Gwaaaaan Kejal!' Lol!
I'm currently in the university computer room...joy!! Miss you lots!
Luv Me!xXx
Rikesh - Never seen anything like this before, it was totally mind-blowing because we just weren't expecting it!
Raj P - Yeah, the winter thing definitely paid off!
Nish - Seriously, the pain afterwards. Ridiculous?
Jo - 3 days later and I still need feel like I need the aid of a chair-lift. Devil's Staircase - MUMMEH. I actually was panting like a Loser telling Ketan "I think.. I gotta.. turn.. back (pant)" throughout the whole staircase part!
Mum - We're in Wellington now, and have been walking around a lot. Was in so much pain but today it's easing off.. slowly.
Amar - Good to see you checking in on us :)
Nilesh - That's exactly what it was, hot and cold periods throughout. hardest walk I've ever done, I was obS the least fit one there ;-)
Rajpreet - Computer room! studying hard I see ;-) it was so surreal to be up there in the mountains, the scenery was awesome.