Tongariro Crossing 1.0

29.11.2016

8:30 AM parking lot at the starting point of the Tongariro Cossings. Witzi, who is not feeling well, stays with Dibis' car at the finish line and waits for us.

We have ahead of us 19.4 km and 900 meters of altitude difference. With the breathtaking images we have in mind, we are fully motivated. We think of the beautiful volcanic landscape, the red crater, and the unnaturally blue lakes. The fact that it is already very foggy and lightly drizzling at that time does not bother us in our euphoria. 

The first stage to the 'Soda Springs' is easy to manage and we are still in good spirits. The fog and rain intensify, but we firmly believe that this will change and the weather will turn. The second stage takes us to the 'South Crater' and is the steepest and most exhausting (800 meters of altitude difference over about 1.5 km). The fog, rain, and wind worsen and at the latest here, we should have turned back, but since we are both extremely stubborn, we continue. As it had to happen, on the third stage between 'South Crater' and 'Red Crater', we were completely soaked and frozen. The path led through the active volcanoes Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe, better known as Mt. Doom. Due to the strong fog, you could only see 5-10 meters ahead, which was not particularly helpful during the fourth stage from the 'Red Crater' to the 'Emerald Lakes', as the path went steeply uphill on a two-meter wide ridge along the crater and steeply downhill on scree. At the end of the fifth stage, there is actually a large blue lake, but we unfortunately did not see it - it was too foggy :D The worst part was behind us and slowly it was draining our strength. The following descent led through a beautiful alpine landscape (as far as I could see ;) ) to a hut, where we strengthened ourselves briefly. However, we quickly continued because the cold had penetrated to the bones. I have never been so freezing and we longed for the warm car and change of clothes.

After 6!! hours (normally 8 hours, and our speed was not due to our excellent fitness :D ), we finally reached the car and could change. Luckily, the campsite we had booked for the night had free unlimited showers and heating.

My conclusion: With a little distance, we should have turned back earlier, then we would have spared ourselves the cold. But it was still an adventure and at least a story that we will not forget so quickly ;)