****************** **********Les and a bunch of like minded masochists from College did the Tongariro Crossing recently. Not some weird Pentecostal initiation rite but one of the most popular tramps (read “hillwalks”) in New Zealand. It involves crossing Mt Tongariro (strangely) which peaks at about 1900m (almost 6250 ft) and is a part of the Tongariro National Park. Tongariro itself was last active around 1890 but the nearby Mt Ngauruhoe (now better know as Mt Doom from LOTR) blew a fuse in 1975 and Mt Ruapehu also nearby went kaboom in 1996 sending skiers scurrying. The route is just under 20km and takes about 7 hours. Recovery takes 3 days. It was a fantastic experience though with 2 huge craters to trek through, a volcanic peak to drag yourself up then slither down, fantastic views above the cloud line, incredible colours and textures including sapphire blue lakes, red, brown and ochre rocks, solidified lava flows and ice and snow fields and also great company. Kung Hee, a very nice Korean lady refrained from doing the whole thing in about half an hour to wait for Les, encourage him up the steep bits and hold his hand down the slippy bits. Pretty fantastic all told and makes Les determined to challenge Heddle Hill with renewed vigour when we get home.
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