"Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Ain't No River Wide Enough..."

I love Wanganui so much I jumped at the opportunity to take a closer look at what makes it so great - the Whanganui River. I went on a 3-day canoe trip down the river with Lisa, who is from Munich, Germany. 3 DAYS, from Whakahoro to Pipiriki (88 km). We paddled about 6 hours a day and stayed in huts along the way.

Maria was also on the river with us, but on a kayak. She is also from Germany.

 

 Me chewing.

 Conversation by candlelight :)

 Trekking for 50 min. (each way) while sopping wet...

...to see the Bridge to Nowhere. Hm.

In the hut.

You know you've had a hard day when this looks luxurious.

Lisa and I had great communication and excelled at crashing into rock walls and screaming at the rapids. There were over 100 waterfalls and 75 rapids to "oooh" and "ahhh" at. If I had the energy at the time I'd have been kicking myself for agreeing to go through such pain, but I gained so much from it that I would do it again in a heartbeat... or two :) It was the hardest thing I ever put my body through... 

...until Lisa asked me if I wanted to do The Tongariro Crossing with her. I didn't know what it was exactly, just that it was listed in her Lonely Planet guide. But it sounded cool. I had boots and no plans, so what do I say? "OKAY!" 

So we drove 2 hours north (away from South Island :X) to National Park. To do this...

 Pet rock, anyone? All "races" included!

Soda Springs

Allow me to introduce Mt. Ngauruhoe, volcano (2,291 m / 7,516 ft). 

AKA "Mount Doom" in the Lord of the Rings.

WE CLIMBED IT.

IT WAS NOT AN EASY FEAT. 

IT WAS THE HARDEST THING I EVER PUT MYSELF THROUGH.

SO I THINK I WILL POST PICTURES OF IT.

Back when I had no idea what I was in for.

 Walking away from Mt. Tongariro (1,978 m / 6490 ft) toward Mt. Ngauruhoe. 

Could erupt at any time! Wah!

 My reaction at the top. 

We did it...

The inside of the volcano!!

View of Mt. Ruapehu (2,797 m / 9,177 ft), south of Mt. Ngauruhoe

Continuing onto the Tongariro Alpine Crossing... in search of the hut.

...and into the night we go.

 

Taupo in the distance.

Wah, where is the hut...

Finally making dinner in the hut. 

Up at 6:30am for the sunrise!

Hut with a warden, sleeps 20 people

Brrrr! Coffee time!

Breakfast time!

A little bird!

We hiked, trekked, climbed, slid, stepped, stumbled for 8.5 hours on Day 1. We had great luck on our side - found the hut and was serenaded into wakefulness by the screams and cries of a 2-year old girl who was staying with her  sister and parents. On Day 2, we left via The Tongariro Crossing. But by then the clouds had rolled in and everyone was caught in the rain. 4 hours after leaving the hut, we finally made it back to the car. 

Ice pushing rocks away from the earth.

Once again, we found luxury at the end of the day at the local hostel (aka backpackers), complete with an indoor climbing hall. But I was pretty sure we had had our fill of climbing for the day. Actually, we thought it looked too easy and would be boring.

Lisa in our dorm!

Climbing hall.

Hopefully the pictures say it all. Because there's not much left for me to say.  It's not an experience you can share with someone who wasn't there or hasn't done anything like it. I have 1 big blister on each big toe. Every step up and down the mountain, across the valley... felt like I was claiming my body back. In your face, cigarettes!

Thank you Lisa, for being with me on these trips. I will never forget them, or you. And if, in the future, you ask me to swim to the bottom of the ocean with you, I will probably say "OKAY!" And not regret a minute of it (at least in the end).