This photograph was taken in 2008. It’s of the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand. A walk it was suggested we do whilst in the North Island. We’d been in the country for a wedding and were travelling back to Auckland airport.
The Tongariro Crossing is a 19.4 kilometre trek at an altitude of 1,800 metres. Little did I know the volcanic peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu are among the top ten single-day treks in the world. It’s popularity due to the incredible scenery and breathtaking Emerald Lakes.
The trek was flat at first and quite enjoyable in the sunshine. I remember laughing just before we started climbing the The Devil’s Staircase. It was short lived. Climbing up uneven layers of lava flows and volcanic deposits was really hard work. Even more of a challenge when I re-broke two of my toes. But there was no going back. The bus dropped everyone off at the start of the trek and collected you at the finish.
The only photograph I have of the Devil’s Staircase shows me at the bottom with fellow trekkers in the background still climbing upwards after 3 kilometers! It was seriously tough but the views from the summit were immense.
This photograph was taken after that following a hike up an exposed ridge. The ant like dots you see on the path are people.
We completed the three volcanic peaks of the Tongariro Crossing in 6.5 hours (above average despite the broken tootsies). We rewarded ourselves with cold lager. It was a hideous yet thrilling experience – we couldn’t walk for days afterwards. Despite all of that it still remains one of my most memorable achievements.
This post is for What’s The Story? the photography Linky on this blog. We’re also linking up with Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse.
Wow! What an achievement! What a great thing to have experienced.
Thanks Sarah – I wasn’t a fan at the time but the scenery and the emerald lakes were amazing 🙂
Well done for doing the hike, beautiful atospheric pic!
Thank you – its a miracle I got to the end. Although there was the promise of cold beer 🙂
That’s an amazing shot. Looks like a tough walk but I can imagine the views were stunning.
Thanks Laura – the walk was hideous but incredible views 🙂
I can see why so many Scots ended up in New Zealand-it looks stunning. A fantastic achievement for you too. It must have been a great feeling.
It was a great feeling when it had ended! No not really, the views were absolutely incredible. New Zealand is an amazing country, we’d like to get back one day and explore the rest 🙂
Wow what an amazing place. I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. You describe it beautifully and it’s no wonder its scenery features it epic adventure movies.
You should definitely go Tas, it’s a wonderful country. We only saw a bit of it while we were there but we’d love to go back 🙂
Stunning shot and what a wonderful achievement!
Thank you Rachel – it won’t be something I forget in a hurry 🙂
i would love to live at the end of the world its so beautiful and your picture make me crave the adventure again
It’s a great part of the world, I’m not surprised 🙂
Fabulous photograph, well done for completing the trek despite the poor tootsies!
Thank you – tough trek but some incredible sights 🙂
What an amazing achievement! I’m not sure I would have been able to make it, especially not with broken toes..ouch!
Thank you Jess – I reckon you would have made it too. There was no going back, the coach moved 🙂
Wow amazing photo and what a great experience you have to share!
Thank you – it was a great experience 🙂
Seriously impressive achievement even without considering the broken toes! It looks like a grueling hike 🙂
Thanks Lou – seriously grueling but came out the other side 🙂
Oh my what an achievement! I lived in New Zealand for 6 months when I was 19 and the scenery of the North and South Islands was spectacular. Your poor toes! x
Thank you Helen – how amazing to live in NZ for 6 months. Our visit was far too brief 🙂
Wow, what an amazing hike – and experience. The views must have been stunning. How on earth did you break your toes, again?!
The views were incredible Sara – a great experience. Broke toes again stumbling on the lava, was tough to walk on 🙂
wow how amazing is that!! well done you for managing to do it too with broken toes! xx
Thanks for linking up with #Magicmoments x
Thank you lovely – was an incredible experience albeit a hard one 🙂
[…] linking up with PODcast’s What’s The Story, a linky littered with much-loved […]
Lovely shot. Makes me want to go there now!
It’s a great place Jamie – the other parts of New Zealand we saw were too. Would love to go back and check out the rest of it!
Sweetie – you’re a better person that I am – I would be rubbish at this!!!……. What fab views though and hope your toes recovered nicely xx Stunning photo
You would do it too I promise you – I cried. A lot! But the views were something else and the beer at the end wonderful 🙂
Wow what amazing place Well done xx
Thank you Lisa 🙂
Well done you, I know how I’ve felt after some walks in the Lake District – don’t think they quite compare to that though!
Thanks Mary – it was seriously hard work and I really wasn’t equipped for it. You would have been so much better 🙂
Oh my, broken toes and everything! That is an incredible achievement. I have never really done anything like that and am in awe of anyone who has. Bet that was the best beer you ever tasted.
I’m sure you will as soon as the little ones are a bit bigger. That beer was amazing 🙂
That’s a phenomenal achievement Charly. Guess they don’t call it Devil’s Staircase for nothing, eh?! I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand for the stunning scenery. Somehow it always looks so raw in photographs, just like yours. A fabulous story and great picture xx
Thank you lovely lady, the Devil’s Staircase was seriously hard work! New Zealand is fantastic, you’d love it! We’d love to go back one day and explore a bit 🙂
Wow. That is a just brilliant achievement….. and you battled on through with broken toes – don’t know how you did that. I’ll bet the views were spectacular! X.
Thank you – it was a long time ago but no idea how I did it either! I guess it was the lack of bus to cart me away! The views were something else 🙂
What a fantastic thing to do, and with broken toes, I think you need a medal!
Thanks Jane – I definitely deserved that beer at the bottom 🙂
[…] we weren’t particularly well prepared for the 19km walk through three active volcanoes! The Devil’s Staircase broke me although the Emerald Lakes were […]