Pushing Our Bodies

4 - 6 January 2011

The last stop was at Lake Taupo, its in the center of the island and is referred to as Great Lake Taupo, since it is pretty big. Our first day there we went to the Huka Falls, a waterfall at the end of some crazy rapids. We decided to hike the area and go north  to prep for our long hike the next day. On this hike we came across a couple of black swans and then finally a creek that drained into the river. It looked normal until you put your hand in and realized the water was about 120 degrees, but the area where it collided with the river was like a hot tub, we decided it was time for a break.  It was great people watching spot too - saw guys floating down the river using coolers and people’s reaction when they feel how hot the water was.  After an early night we woke up at 5:30am to get the bus that would take us to the Tangariro Alpine Crossing, what is said to be the most beautiful day walks in the world…it was, though its hardly a walk (18.5km up/down 2 mountains).  The Crossing starts at the base of an active volcano, Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt.Doom) from Lord of the Rings.  Takes you up the mountain thru the South Crater, where there are some incredible views (on a clear day you can see both the Pacific Ocean/East and the Tasman Sea/West) from the top, it was pretty clear but the clouds were below the mountain top that day. Next we went to the Red Crater, which made the walk up Mt. Tongariro a little scary for Dan since there was a several hundred meter drop to the right, once at the top we rested and started the descent.  The climb down was wild.  The ground was real loose so the best approach was to dig your heals into the ground and do a slight jog down.  People were whipping out left and right (Joanne even took a spill).  This took us past the Emerald Lakes, the most breathtaking views we have ever seen.  Finally we walked thru the Central Crater, down the side and into the forest to the end.  It took us 6.5 hours to complete the Crossing and though it was very challenging, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives.  That night we had a great dinner and some beers to recharge.