The Tongariro Crossing



One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life so far. Physically, mentally and.... Spiritually.

I went on this hike with zero expectations. Zero. I didn't even know that I was hiking up the mountain that I had always wanted to. Remember when I posted a video of a dude hiking up the Tongariro Crossing and said I wanted to do the same thing? I wasn't conscious of the fact that I was hiking up the same MOUNTAIN as he was while I was climbing it!

Just some facts about this mountain: It's a volcano. And it was the one used to film LOTR which Frodo was climbing, called Mount Doom. Actual name, Mount Ngauruhoe.

This one hike taught me NUMEROUS things. And I found out more about myself through this hike.

With zero expectations, I climbed the mountain at my own pace with just the same feelings as I had while hiking 2 hours before I reached the foot of the mountain. I had been positive throughout the hike and felt that every step on this hike was already achievement haha.

We had to walk an hour and climb up a flight of steps in another hour before we reached the foot of Mount Doom. And it was optional to climb the mountain. Some of my friends turned back, thinking it was too dangerous. For my friend Kimberly, and I, we just wanted to "feel how it was like up there". And see what's up there. We didn't even think like, "omg we're gonna climb this huge volcano". We came into it with light, casual feelings.

And look where I ended up.


The TOP of THE WORLDDDDD. Not the world yet. That would be Everest. But hey, it has been the hugest accomplishment for me so far in terms of outdoorsey stuff, completing this mountain. Out of about 16 or more international students, only me and another guy reached the summit. The rest either didn't try or stopped trying. A pat on the back, Si Hui. You really did it. They were also all angmohs, except Kimberly and I. So, Asian pride, there you go.

But of course it wasn't easy. Especially for me. Since I never trained or whatever for it. I DON'T EVEN LIKE TO RUN! But I did know I like to climb, for a start! Now, I really really like climbing. I think I've found my soft spot for the outdoors. Definitely not running, I've never liked it. It's climbing... what took you so long to find me? Or for me to find you :')  Hahaha.

I met and talked to a lot (heaps) of kiwis on my journey up to the summit. We talked and shared food during breaks on the mountain. I started to see New Zealanders in a better light coz of that. What touched me the most were the kind words they had when they knew I was struggling or tired. For every tough moment, there would always be one kiwi who would be there to shower me with words of encouragement. Like one time, I thought I was gonna die coz the wind was so strong I really thought I was gonna be blown away. And never to be seen again. But this dude came out of nowhere and guided me. I'll never forget that. Because of that small hiccup, the rest of the hike up was scary for me coz I couldn't get over that moment of fear. Like whenever I turned and looked down, I freaked out a little. But I told myself that I had to complete this hike. I had to! I knew I would come out of it a different person.

And that from now onwards, each time I encounter a problem, I can tell myself I climbed a god damned mountain.

Speaking of God, something happened on my way down the mountain and I'll tell you about it towards the end so please do read on haha. It's one of those Si Hui moments but I promise you, it made this hike ever more worth it in the end.

I really thought I would scream and shout when I reached the top. But by the time I got there, all I could do was... Smile. Coz I was so damn tired. Yet amazed by myself and astonished by the view I was rewarded.


So here I am, gonna show you from start to end, how I hiked up The Tongariro Crossing.

If ever you get the chance, I highly encourage you to do it. For me.. life-changing. Haha how dramatic, but honestly... definitely something I wouldn't pass for other experiences.

We left on Friday evening for a car ride up to the camping site before we were to go on our journey the next day at 5am in the morning.



My roadtrip friends. 3 Americans, 1 Taiwanese and 1 Norwegian.
I didn't even know them well, but I asked if I could join them and it was by luck that I managed to get a seat in their car in the end coz someone backed out last minute so lucky lucky me, I got it. All I had to do was ask, with a stroke of luck.

We were to meet another 2 cars of exchange students over at the Tongariro.

I must say, only angmohs do this. They are so adept with the outdoors and I watched in amazement at how fast they were able to set up a tent. I felt useless coz all I did was provide light for them like a lamp post while they set the tent up in no time at all. And I, came with no sleeping bag, no blankets at all. How stupid.

BUT ANYWAY!

Mcdonald's was a stopover.




Surprisingly, their Macs SUCKS.

No chilli, only ketchup. And it's not like you have a counter where you can grab all your salt pepper and sauces. You had to ASK for ketchup which comes in a sachet. SO you can't even choose how much you want.

And sauces like curry, bbq, sweet and sour, mayonnaise all cost 40 cents each. When you get them for free back in Singapore! WTF?! Suddenly even the macs in Singapore becomes so precious LOL LOL.

AND. NO. OREO. MCFLURRY. To me, that's a fail with a F minus. You fail already and you fail even more without Mcflurry. How can macs not have Mcflury?!?! That's the ultimate fail of all!

This is dumbfounding coz I assumed as long as it's a western country, anything Western should be awesome. I guess not.


ROADTRIP












Love that horizon at the back of Dmitra. I freakin love her American accent. Cracks the hell out of me. Like she doesn't even need to say a joke, it's like I'm watching TV. HAHAHA. Freakin typecast Americans haha.

Love roadtrips. Music blasting and boogeyin in the car. They do it best.

Once we reached the campsite, we camped overnight under the stars. They were so nice to let me sleep in the tent they made while they slept outside to look at the stars. Initially, it wasn't that cold. But when the night eased in, the coldness crept in and freakin froze me TO DEATH. I WAS SO NOT PREPARED FOR THE COLD. I had 3 layers on, yet it wasn't enough. It was freakin colder than the mountains the next day siah? Shivering like mad I asked myself why I was doing this lollol. I hardly slept. Like less than 2 hours and I was up at 4:30am to pack up and get ready for the hike. Surprisingly, didn't feel sleepy or tired at all. Maybe it's the coldness.

I thought I was the only one, but the rest couldn't sleep either haha. Only the Norwegian. Guess he was used to the cold.

Met the rest of the students,

AND WAS READY FOR THE HIKE!!!!




Lovin that crescent that greeted us in the purple sky..



Enroute!




Ahhh.. the sky brightening up. This really was the colour of the horizon.




Lawl.




Sky turning blue






This was when we were separated from the pack. From 16 to the 3 of us at the back.
The angmohs walked SO FAST and climbed up the stairs SO FAST. So we decided niehhh we'll just make do with walking at our own pace. The first hour of the hike, we were walking way fast like speedy gonzalez and I was SWEATING IN THE COLD. I didn't even think I could perspire in the cold. That was how fast we walked.

Second half, ahh heck, let's just walk and rest and eat our snacks at our pace heh heh! I enjoyed that second half much more coz I got to soak in the sights before moving on.





At this point in time, I already felt like a winner, coming that far into the hike. I was amazed by myself and the view on top. Time check: 8:30am. Began at 6am.

Little did I know, I was about to embark on my journey up MOUNT DOOOOMMMMM



Yeapp that's Mount Ngauruhoe aka Mt Doom for YOU! Looks small and insignificant from here but trust me, when you're there, it's is quite something.

That's Kimberly my Asian friend. We seek familiarity and comfort in one another HAHAH.


AND RIGHT NOWWWWW............

THE HIKE UP THE MOUNTAIN BEGINS!!!!!!!!!




It was about 9am.
Face is still clean.




Climbed and climbed till we could nearly breathe the clouds.
Yeap as you can see, we were on all fours.



Ah sucks lah, my panorama.
But yeah, this was what we saw hahaha.



Taking a break from our hike on the mountain.
I enjoyed these breaks coz you could see really far from above and relaxxx. T'was amazing!

OH OH I got this windbreaker for only $11.50! SO CHEAP COZ YOU KNOW WHY??!! IT'S IN THE KIDS SECTION HAHAHHAHA. For boys aged 14. Hahahah what a cheapo. But hey angmohs are so huge, duh us asians can fit into anything they wear! Got hood somemore siol! Which was freakin useful coz the wind was sucha bugger.




FOODDDDDD
I enjoyed eating muesli bars so much while I was up there. They taste so awesome when you need them haha. I brought A LOT of food for my hike up coz I didn't wanna starve and I needed energy food! Chips, One whole pack of waikato chocolate, a box of 6 chocolate muesli bars, chocolate chip cookies, sour gummies and a peanut butter sandwich with banana slices!

Yumz.




Now above the clouds




The mucus and sand from my nose. I know it's disgusting ; )
Skin on my hands and arms became very dry as well as you can see.






This was the part I was talking about. Coz at this point in time, I couldn't see Kimberly anymore so I was alone and the winds were blowing at me at my side so hard and strong. I literally thought I was gonna die. I swear. I was clinging on to dear life. And what's worse, there was nothing solid to cling on to. So my life in other words.. WAS DANGLING. F. I was damn scared coz not many other climbers were around. I reckoned I had gone on the wrong side of the mountain. I started to panic and then got scared of the height that I was at coz when I looked back, oh my lord, it was terrifying.

Then my saviour came along. He asked me if I was ok. I told him I was scared, honest. And he said I should go on the other side coz the rocks here were "shitty" hahaha. I thanked him and wished him luck as his climbed his way down. Such kindness :')

Time check: 11am. It was already 2 hours on the mountain.

I then continued my way up.




A better panorama shot haha.
Can you see the Emerald Lake?? Once I saw it, I knew I was really really high up.


The Emerald Lake is on the left in the middle of those mountains.



That was how scary it was whenever I looked behind.
Whenever I think about it, I seriously think I could have died if I had succumbed to the wind.

Time check: 12:30pm. an hour and a half from just now. A total of 3 and a half hours on the mountain. I think if you're more experienced, it would take you faster. For me, it was my first so I took a lot of breaks and took my own time climbing.

This was the last picture I took with my Olympus camera. Coz it died. And SPOILT COZ OF ALL THE SAND!!! F! Gonna send it in for repair to Christchurch tomorrow. Called this morning. Most ex can be up to $250 if lenses have to be changed. But I think the lenses of my camera are still ok, just something jammed somewhere. So it shouldn't come up to that expensive.

Next best alternative? iPhone.



Lookin great here huh? With cap and hood up I look like I'm ready for hire as a construction bangla.
A satisfied, but a there's-still-more-work-to-do face.

Kiwis asked me where I was from, what I was doing, WHY I WAS ALONE. I had lost Kimberly by then coz after losing sight of her, I realised I was on my own and I had to complete this mountain by myself. A nice guy told me she'd gone down already.

Throughout the climb, I spoke to at least 5-6 different kiwis and they were all helpful. Told me to be aware of the rocks falling from above that could potentially hurt me, and gave me tips on how to get down or go up. Each of them gave me words of encouragement that pushed me at every step of the way.

"You are almost there, don't give up"
"The last 100m can be the most tough, but it's so worth it when you're up there"
"SEE YOU AT THE TOP!"

I was so touched by all their words and told myself I could do this. I would verbally say it out.

Once, I was told by a guy to go down coz I think he could see I was struggling when the winds were blowing. I knew I was in for some shit coz the wind was really so strong my asian body felt like it was gonna be swept away. And I was thinking man... I'm so close yet this dude is telling me to go back down! Should I listen to him? Or should I press on?

In my heart, I whispered for some divine being to protect me hahahha. Coz I said I really want to get up there so pls ah pls and thank you.

In the end, after an hour or 2 with more struggling especially towards the last bit where I crawled on all fours up with every last bit of energy left,








I WAS FINALLY UP THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


THE SUMMIT. I conquered Mt Doom. I just.... couldn't believe what I had just done. Ugh, the feeling is wonderful. And EXHAUSTING. Haha.

A different picture from the one on Facebook. You can see the happiness in my eyes.... I was... ecstatic. And just.. so so SO proud of myself!

Do you see the lake now? It was gorgeous from up there. Emerald and shimmery under the sun.

I could see everything from up there. Places FURTHER AWAY from these mountains. The ocean, the lakes, the roads. It was magnificent! SO worth it. Especially since I never imagined I'd ever do this in a lifetime.

The best surprises are ones you truly never expect. That's why they're called surprises haha what am I talking about haha.

I honestly couldn't believe what I had just done. I wasn't human.

Time check: 1:30pm.
= A grand total of 5 hours climbing up the mountain.




The view...

Taken using an iPhone.

And there was a big dip behind me.



Wouldn't wanna end up in there.


After hanging around for about 15 mins or so, savouring victory, I decided to head down coz it was getting too cold. The wind was torturous.

Going down I heard was easy coz we could just slide back down on the other side of the mountain. Fair enough. I thought it was gonna be real easy but turns out, it was a really long long LONG slide down the mountain..

And here comes the part that I wanted to share with you guys.

As my legs were practically retarded by the end of the climb up, I decided to slide on my bottom. I stopped halfway while sliding to take pictures using my iPhone.

Big mistake. Coz I put it right back into my pocket in my trousers. Then continued sliding down.

Yeap. You know what's gonna come.

Halfway down my second slide to the bottom on my ass, I decided to check on whether my phone was still with me. Eh? Nothing? Feel again, HUH WHAT HUH WHERE IS IT OMG PLEASE...

PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE DON"T TELL ME THAT I....

I dropped it on my way down while I was sliding.


At that point of time, the sky came crashing down on me. It dawned on me that..... that I had to climb back up to look for it.

I asked THE LORD, Please.. please don't do this to me. Coz just when I said I was so tired and that I will never climb this mountain again, I believe it was when he decided to test me.

BY GETTING ME TO CLIMB BACK UP TO SEARCH FOR IT.

The first word that came out of my mouth when I found out my iPhone was missing was,

KA-NI-NA

I have never sworn using this word with that much gusto before.

I really wanted to die. Coz I was so exhausted, yet I had to climb on slippery soil and rocks, back up. I was defeated. I wanted to just leave the god damn iPhone behind and continue my way down coz I was just... so... so... damn tired. I was asking God, WHYYY WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME. IS IT A TEST?!?! I WILL CLIMB BACK UP FOR YOU IF IT'S A TEST.

I swear, it sounds like a big joke right now, but back there I was desperate. Coz it was my only form of communication with my other friends who by then, should be back at the car and waiting for me to drive off and I was worried that they'd be worried about me and that I was being irresponsible. And by then, no one else was at the mountain. I was the only one left. I was so. fuckin. desperate. I wanted to cry. But didn't.

I did a lot of talking to myself. I said, Is this what you want me to do?!! CLIMB BACK UP AGAIN? I will do it to get back my iPhone but please help me! I can't do this by myself. I am so tired. Give me a SIGN PLEASEEE. I saw rocks falling down. And I said that if they stopped rolling, it means that it's up there and I could still get it.

I was afraid that my iPhone would be hidden beneath the rocks while I was sliding down and that there'd be no means of seeing it. And I didn't know how far above it was. I had slid down quite a substantial amount before realising it had fallen out. I really was crying for help. I didn't shed any tears tho. But really. REALLY DESPERATE>

I decided to climb. I climbed and stopped and climbed and stopped. Coz I was so tired. I literally moaned in desperation every time I stopped coz I wanted to get back my phone so badly yet I was so tired and exhausted. I was completely, mentally and physically exasperated. I wanted to give up.

But I climbed. And...... there it was. Shining in white. Right back down at me. I made sure I wasn't hallucinating coz I hallucinated a couple of times seeing white rocks as my iPhone. I collapsed to the ground upon seeing it. And thanked God. I made one last ditch effort and climbed and reached for my phone. I couldn't be happier.

So in essence, I climbed Mount Doom one and a half times. One, the normal way. The other, to get my iPhone back.

I will NEVER forget this hike. Ever. After what happened.

I thought my friends were gonna be angry at me for making them wait. But guess what? They were so happy and relieved to see me alive coz they were speculating all the different things that could've happened to me. That I died, lost my way, helped somebody out. And I guess losing an iPhone sounded really trivial as a reason for taking more time than I should. But they were simply glad to see me.

I was touched by them as well coz they went out looking for me :') Asked around if they saw an Asian girl with a red backpack. Then finally, managed to call me on my iPhone and get to me and asked if I was alright.

So what made this whole hiking thing even more worthwhile was how I saw my friends helped to scout for me when they thought I died somewhere. This iPhone scandal became very very serendipitous indeed. But I would never want it to happen again of course.

It actually brought me closer to these people whom I hardly knew in the first place. The roadtrip back home was a fun one. Reached home to celebrate my flat mate's birthday. He was such a happy boy.  Would provide photos if I get hold of them from his camera.

One thing I really like about Westerners in general are.. they're not uptight about certain things? I was really afraid that they'd be mad at me for taking sucha bloody long time. But they weren't and I was sincerely touched.


So here I am, right now, happy that I did this hike. Happy to be sharing this on my blog. And happy to know that I'm happy. Am excited coz my friend tells me both him and I shall make plans to hike up another mountain.

Mount Taranaki. Another mountain on my list of mountains other than Mount Doom. I am excited yet apprehensive now knowing that it was quite a tough climb up. I now EXPECT more from myself. But I don't wanna feel this way. And to just enjoy the ride while I cannnn. That's what I'm here for.

Lack of updates has been due to tiredness the past few days. But I will update more! And share with you more of my stories here in New Zealand. Beautiful New Zealand.