17|11|18, Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Hey guys,

WE DID IT!😍 We can classify the "Tongariro Alpine Crossing" as conquered.

After getting up at 4:30 am this morning, getting ready, having breakfast, and relaxing and waking up with a hot drink, we started from our campsite to the carpark.

From here our shuttle took us to the starting point of the hiking trail.

By the time we were on the track, it was 7:15 am and it was just incredible. We started at the foot of the volcano and could admire this monster of lava rock in the morning sun.

Even the bus driver told us that we had a really good day, as a completely cloudless sky and radiant sunshine should allow us to have a hike like in a picture book.

During the ascent to the crater, we clearly noticed that we were at an altitude of 1800m. This became noticeable because the air, especially for us North German flatland conditions, was extremely thin and we quickly became out of breath.

So we pushed ourselves to our limits and after a 2-hour ascent to the volcano, we made it.

We were greeted by an absolutely incredible view. Since I had never been in the mountains before, it was simply unbelievable for me.

Next to a volcano, at an altitude of 1800m, with a view of bright blue volcanic lakes and the horizon, I felt like the king of the world and the enormous effort was quickly forgotten.

We continued the track with incredible scenery and after just under 7 hours, 30,000 steps, and 20km we were back at the car!

It was an incredible hiking trail that was really worth all the effort!

Once we arrived at the campsite, to be honest, we didn't move anymore!😅

Both of us really feel our entire bodies and feel like we are 95 years old. Let's see how it looks tomorrow. Based on our current assessment, it will probably be a relaxed day!

Greetings from Taupo, New Zealand!🇳🇿

Yours, Tim!😊