Hiking Mt. Doom - the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

For fans of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Ring series and the movies made from them, you will want to make a trip to New Zealand because most of the films have been shot here.  And of all the scenes in the movie, possibly one of the most memorable is that of Mount Doom.  Supposedly, Mount Ngauruhoe in New Zealand and in the Tongariro National park was the inspiration for the scenes for the director in Lord of the Rings.  Some of the scenes in the movie were set on this mountain and nearby Mt. Tongariro.

Yesterday, K and I hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail that went up/down these mountains.  The walk was incredible - if not a real physical challenge.

As I mentioned, in my post yesterday, the Great Walks are incredible "tramps" or hikes through great scenery and landscapes in NZ.  Find more info about these walks here.  Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 12+ mile hike that takes you up dramatic volcanic landscape in a World Heritage Area.  You start just above 2,000 feet and go to about 6,100 feet and back down.  You go through so many different elevations, landscape and climate changes that you have to pack everything from cold weather gear to hot weather gear in your pack.  We were hot at the bottom and a bit chilly on top.

My family and friends know that I stay in good shape.  Still, this was a challenge even for the fit.  K was an absolute trooper.  To say it was a challenge for her would be an understatement.  Still, she did great.  No complaining at all.  Well, ok, at the end coming down maybe a little :)    Funniest comment was "I hate the downhill part.  Could they figure out some way of allowing us to do this without the downhill part?"  Yeah - they are working on that Honey.

About 180,000 people take this hike each year (some in snow believe it or not).  According to our van driver, only 30 mountain rescues a year take place.  Pretty impressive given what you will see in pictures below.

The scenery was just incredible - I don't think I need to say more, but just let you see some of the pictures.  I took 400 pictures (even more than the day before in Wai-o-tapu) so I've tried to select the best of the best.

Way back in the planning phases of our trip, I posted a blog about our options and asked people that have been for advice about this hike.  I didn't get any, so here is my advice to those that plan to go to New Zealand and want to do the walk.

1.  Plan ahead.  Get your hotel lined up before you go.  The nights we were in Taupo, the hotels had no vacancies.
2.  Yes you do need to be in some shape, but you don't need to be an athlete or marathon runner.  We saw people of all shapes and sizes on the hike.  The better shape you are in, the easier it will be, but you don't have to hike 12 miles at home to be prepared.  Can you walk a couple of miles without being winded or sore?  If so, you will be sore after Tongariro's challenge, but you will survive it and love it.  Take it easy (slow but steady) and if you can, do a little exercise to get in a bit of shape before you go.  Most people finish in 7 hours.  We finished in 8 hours.  Not bad for a pair of older folk.  You can hire a guide (absolutely required for a winter hike), but definitely not necessary unless you want someone to help point out special features on your hike.
3.  Have the right equipment.  They don't lie when the guides tell you weather can change quickly.  We experienced several temperature changes on our hike, and for the most part it was a nice summer day all around New Zealand.  Have food and water with you.  The recommendation to us was for 2 liters of water per person (1 to 1.5 would have suited us).
4.  There are no bathrooms on the mountains - and no trees to hide behind either.  Take advantage of the facilities when you see them at the start and end.
5.  Plan ahead with regard to your transportation.  You need a van or car to take you from the end of the trail back to your car at the start of the hike (the start and end of the hike are separated by about 20km).  Alternatively, you can park your car at a tour company's lot and have them take you to the beginning and then pick you up at the end and take you back to your car.  This is the option we chose.  There are several companies to choose from.  I chose poorly.  I chose Adventure HQ.  Don't use them.  Check TripAdvisor for alternatives.  We plan to post more info there about why Adventure HQ is not our recommended service.  Despite this, we had a great day and if this is the only negative we have about NZ, well then we have nothing to complain about.

It will definitely be a hike I shall always remember the rest of my life - for the accomplishment if not the beauty.  Here is a picture from the side of the road as we headed away from Mt. Doom.  Yep - no lie - we hiked that bitch!

After our hike yesterday, we needed something a little more casual and subdued.  For K, that means a trip to the wineries.  More tomorrow on that event.