Conquering the Tongariro Crossing

Well, folks, I did it! the 19.4 (+) Km hike up and down the Tongariro summit! It was wonderful! The Tongariro is where they filmed part of the "Lord of the Rings." I think Orlando Bloom was standing on top of the Ngaurhoe Mountain. It was Mount Doom! It is a volcanic mountain, and all around was volcanic rock, charcoal grey colors, red colors, thermal pools, sulfur smells, ash, and plenty of uphill climbs!!!! I even did a little rock climbing at one point! Haha! That was scary because its a different feeling than when you are in a rock gym, strapped in!!! No, with this, you slip and fall, there is no belaying, you just fall down a mountain! But we made it to the top and back down. We started at 7 am and finished around 3:30 pm.
I definitely had a great time. I went with two great people, Katia and Craig. We rented a car, and were on our way to Turangi. There we got into a hostel the night before the big hike, and played catch with the rugby ball. I can not throw or kick for the life of me! But they let me play anyway! At night, it was just us three in a hostel room, so we stayed up telling stories. Craig loved girl talk, and had the most stories... which will all remain secret since they are not my stories to tell, but nonetheless, our little sleepover was much fun.
We accidentally left the window open with the lights on so during story hour, we noticed we had a few friends along to hear our story! BUGS! And too many for my liking! So after we kindly squashed them, we decided it was lights out so no other intruders made their way in as well.
Lights up at 5:15 am! We quickly threw on our hiking gear, had breakfast, and got on the bus headed for Tongariro. There we met Rodney, our 50 something Aussie, who politely asked us if he could join us. We said of course, and the foursome headed up the trail.
After 8 hours of hiking, we made it to the end.
Casualties:
1. Lost pair of glasses, but FOUND! (Rodney)
2. One puking incident! (Craig)
3. One missing persons incident. (Craig)
4. One (several) bout of profanity. (Caroline)
5. One hiking fashion VICTIM. (Caroline)

Yes, folks, as you can see in the pictures, I had the goofiest outfit known to man. But I loved it. I thought I looked like I knew what I was doing...until I looked at the photos. Haha! Plaid shorts, striped stockings, a winter hat with pigtails coming down, a camera on my hip, and giant hiking boots. A-MAZING!
Craig, did puke, but it was for the best. I told him how I used to puke in cross country. I don't know why I always try to make people feel better by telling them same scenario situations that have happened to me. Maybe because then we can relate with each other, a way of understanding and acceptance. Who knows. But its all good, and he was ready to go for more afterwards. I also joked with him, by looking at the contents of his puke and pointing out that he didn't chew his sultanas (raisins) up properly and that is probably why he puked! We all had a good laugh after that.
I did have a little bout of profanity (sorry mom!), but that was only because we lost Craig at one point, gotten off the trail and were up in the clouds so we could not see or hear. I was getting a little worried that something could happen so I swore a little bit... Sorry! But we found Craig, thank goodness for cell phone reception on top of a FREAKING mountain!!! We all met up again, and carried on our way.
The hike was, as I said, wonderful. I am proud of all of us for sticking it out, and finishing together. Nobody complained and we all remained in great spirits! I had a few blisters to which Katia supplied the first aid kit, Craig popped my blisters, and I bandaged them up...TEAM WORK!!! Then we got back on the bus, headed for a cup of coffee, ate fish and chips, dropped of Katia, said goodbye to Rodney, and headed back to Wellington!
The pictures are out of order. Start from the bottom and work your way up! The last picture is the beginning of the hike, but it is still out of order, and I am not sure how to fix it. Oh well! Also, you will notice us builing a rock pile. At one point in the trip, there was a huge "graveyard" of these things. It was beautiful. They were everywhere from people who have taken the challenge before us. So, of course, we had to do them ourselves!!!! Check out ours!
GREAT TRIP! I suggest everyone to do a big hike that forces you to puke, scream profanities, and feel alive!
I am sore today, but continuing my half marathon training by going on a light run with a running group! AHH!!! Wish me luck!
More to come! I will probably write about my job, and display pics of me at work! Fun, fun!
I hope you all are doing well. I love hearing from you all and seeing what you are doing. Keep me posted on your daily adventures because I love hearing about them!
Miss you!!
Love,
Caroline