New Zealand: Day 5 - Tongariro Northern Crossing
Posted Wed 21 Feb 2007 by Brad under New Zealand Trip
05/12/03 DAY 5
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG day. Today was one of the most exhausting days of my life….hours of hiking. Sleep was okay last night, but woke up a lot and it was always quiet and I was excited. Then heard lots of wind outside. Dreamt an episode of 24 where Marie and Sherry plotted together. Also got a phone call from WMSR (in my dreams).
ANYWAYS, got up, packed all of my stuff, boots still a little wet, but everything was fine. Great views from the Ketetahi Hut.
Hiked back up to the Mount Ngauruhoe to see what we missed when we walked through the mist. We were all amazed by the color of the Emerald Lakes. So much different without mist like yesterday.
UNBELIEVABLE what we missed. The hike up the mountain was rough, but the view was definitely worth it. The big hole in the side was Mount Ngauruhoe …interesting.
Almost running out of pics on camera and only day 5! going to have to go back and delete some.
Met a few people on the trail and ate lunch at the sign between huts. Made some peanut butter sandwiches and bits off hunks of my cheese.
Reasonably fun walk to Oturere hut. Played ghost as we walked across what was almost like a maze. Saw horseflies…the first sign of animal/insect life this whole hike. Stopped at another hut to refill our water.
Three hour hike to Waihohonu hut. Lots of ups and downs kept going from hot to cold. Worst part was in this BEAUTIFUL forest, but we were exhausted and went uphill for what seemed like forever. Had to stop every minutes or two. Should have taken more pictures.
AWESOME views, but long day. Very proud though. Four others here at the hut and guy from Germany. All very nice. Sick of trail food although my selection of Honey Soy chicken was a hit.
Played Rummy and pulled out another victory.
7:00 pm and heading to bed soon. Excited to be done hiking for a bit. Cut out an extra day which is good because I am almost out of food.
Covered in sweat after hike, can’t describe how tired I was. Nice without tv, internet, etc., but will be glad to have it when I get back.
Afraid I might run out of money, but not really. Got the rest of my life for that.
Highlight: Serveral – seeing hut. View from place we walked yesterday. Saw Mount Doom!.
Lowpoint: Uphill walk through forest.
Random Thought: Are dunkaroos still around in the US? If so, do we chocolate instead of hazelnut? (I hope so.)
Back to Day four.
Day 6 coming soon.
Technorati Tags: hiking, Ketetahi Hut, New Zealand, Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Doom, adventure trip
