My Valentine, Mt. Doom

My valentine's gift to myself was to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Since I'm not getting in any Great Walks, I have really been trying my best to get in good hikes in all of the national parks I'm stopping through. And I will say, wow their trails are so incredibly maintained. Many of the paths and trails have kind of a rubber grating underneath to help with trek, and there were so many well constructed stairs! What is pretty cool about this trek is that in 13 miles you completely transition from barren volcanic terrain to forestry, and it's neat to see this scenic fade happen under your own two feet.

This hike is a one-way trail. Parking at the end of the trail and shuttle bussing to the beginning is the best way to start. Like any famous national park hike, it's always to entertaining to see the characters that come out to take on the wilderness. Some of the introductory inclines along the hikes had large signs posted at the end reading: 'That was the easy part! Tired? Turn around!'. Apparently an average of two hikers are helicoptered off this trail from November-March, and it's not surprising why. There's the boy in Fila slides, the families that don't bring nearly enough water, the groups that just go for it in denim. For a good chunk of my hike, I was next to a pair who I lovingly referred to as The Worst Couple Ever. I have never heard an adult woman whine like this. Some direct quotes from her include, 'More uphill? Seriously can we actually go higher than this?', and 'These are what you made for lunch? Did you bring anything else for me?', which I was able to hear very clearly since they chose a lunch rock right next to mine. I completely understand stopping along the way of a hard incline, but there was a moment I seriously thought she might sit down in the middle of the trail with a line of people behind her. Somehow, her husband egged her on.

Anyways, some crazy terrain on this trek. It's absolutely barren in the beginning. No shade, sulphur vents, and just the omininous figure of Mt. Doom looming in the near-distance. Can confirm, Mt Doom is big. No wonder it took Frodo so long. This mountain is actually named Mount Ngauruhoe, and people used summit the peak with gold rings up there to toss into the craterous center. However, it's sacred space for the Maori and the local tribes have respectfully asked for people to refrain from climbing it anymore.

The coolest part of this hike was definitely the views from the mid-ridgeline. These should be up in the portfolio soon, but this area is an active volcanic landscape that just had this huge new crater split open in 2012! It is so interesting to see how people across New Zealand have made their peace with living on such a volatile piece of land! The ridgeline offered views of the valley, the blue lakes, and the alpine ridge I'd be crossing into greener pastures. I will say, towards the end this hike felt incredibly long. The last five miles were switchbacks from which I could see my little T-Rex, and these did get a little uncomfortable. While I'm unsure if I would call this the best day hike in the world lime some of the promotional signs,

Me and Mt Doom <3

I am very thankful I got out to hike it! Much of it felt like being on another planet- and it's such unique scenery that I don't get the opportunity to be in.