Tongariro Alpine Crossing

A week has passed since I did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Slowly, all my muscles have calmed down. The muscle soreness was really indescribable. Walking was almost impossible!

Our alarm clock rang at 4.30 am. I could hardly eat any of the porridge for breakfast because I am not the best breakfast eater early in the morning. But I needed strength for THE biggest HIKE of my LIFE, so I forced myself to eat something.
At just before 6 am, our shuttle arrived to take us to the starting point of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We drove for a little over an hour, which I used wisely: to sleep.

At just after 7 am, we arrived! Quickly go to the toilet, because who knows when the next opportunity will come, and off we go. I could hardly wait! 19.4 km awaited me, which were more or less uncertain..

The first kilometers were still really harmless. A paved path, a few steps here and there, and then a little uphill. Even here, the view was great! On the right, pure nature, with a view of Ngauruhoe, covered in snow, and on the left, a mixture of rocks, stones, and small rivers.

But at kilometer 6, the whole hike started to hurt. For over a kilometer, there were stairs that pushed us to our limits (also called 'Devils Staircase'). After that, we were rewarded with a kilometer of 'flat land'. But kilometer 8 was also tough. After what felt like five steps, I needed a break. I could hardly lift my legs anymore because of the pain in my calves, and I had no more endurance. This kilometer went steeply uphill, to the top of the Red Crater, the highest point of the hike.
When I reached the top, I don't even know what I felt and thought first, but I had a little emotional moment. In that moment, I thought to myself: 'You did it! You can be proud of yourself'.

Followed by a little sliding, walks between the mountains, and emerald green lakes, nature engaged in a little race. Every view, every moment became more beautiful.

After 19.4 km, a 6.5 h hike, 768 meters of altitude, and the highest point of 1,868 m, we completed the hike. Although the last 400 m were the most agonizing meters, dragging on as if there was no end, they were soon over.

Afterwards, we sat on the ground, ate our pre-cooked noodles, and took deep breaths.
In retrospect, I am so proud of Elli and myself. How many doubts we had: 'how long will we take?', but above all 'will we even be able to complete the hike?'. And yes, we did it and can be proud of ourselves.