Today we climbed Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom). We did not do the entire Tongariro Crossing as it was partially closed due to Mt Tongariro erupting several times, and also out of respect for Mom who did not want to have to worry about both her daughters climbing an erupting volcano. So instead we hiked to (10 km!) and summited the one and only Mount Doooom. No words can describe the difficulty, hardship, magical moments, tiredness, soreness, out-of-breath, altitude sickness syndrome...but we spent 2.5 hours climbing over loose gravel and up lava flows to reach the snowy crater, and 45mins sliding down the loose rock on this 2287m (7503 feet) mountain. Well, the pictures may tell a better story.... Unfortunately due to the cold, the camera battery died before we reached the summit. You will either have to climb it yourself or take our word for it, the view was incredible and the feeling amazing.
We spent the night soaking our sore body in the hot thermal pools at Taupo De Bretts Spa Resort. We meant to go to our favorite small campground attached to some hot springs - Waikite Spa Resort but the weekend crowd beat us to it! :( Well, luckily we managed to get a camp ground in De Bretts, and even had a 40 deg C (104 deg F) private thermal pool :) Dinner was delicious - Hannah's great choice, highly recommended Shayne's Fresh Fish n Chips.
Food to introduce to Grace - NZ Fresh Fish and Chips ✓
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| Only Hannah knew what we were in for... |
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| See Mom? We stayed well away from the danger zone! |
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| Some Bon Jovi-esque YEAAAAHHHHS! to get us pumped |
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| Still so fresh and happy! |
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| It is a very exposed climb. |
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| Hannah was very tired |
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| The view is so worth it though! |
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