Comments on: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing: New Zealand’s Best One-Day Hike

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Fri, 14 May 2010 22:53:12 +0000

@Dina – I like going to places like Ruapehu that do skiing in winter….they’re almost always set up for great hikes in the summer!

@Niamh – Thanks! I generally try to write about positive stuff..if it’s a negative experience – unless I can turn it into a funny story – I don’t write about it!

By: niamh

niamh — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:04:34 +0000

Great post – I love that you’re so enthusiastic about everything on your travels. And can’t believe that people did it less than 2 hours, mountain runners are nuts!

By: Dina

Dina — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:23:23 +0000

This makes me miss Tongariro and want to go back there! LAst February Ryan and I visited Tongariro in our way north. We only had a week to drive between Wellington and Auckland, so our time was unfortunately limited, couldn’t do a long hike. We went to Ruapehu. Got up with the ski lift, and did a little hike. We loved the view. It was just very different. Rocks everywhere, no vegetation. They also used this mountain as shooting location for LOTR (I heard), so we were fooling around making some Gollum, Frodo and Sam poses climbing up the volcano We had a great time there. We wished to go to Ngauruhoe, but there were still so much to see to the north. Love this post, Nora, love the video clip. Brings me back good memory of Tongariro!

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:57:55 +0000

@Aaron – Thanks, buddy! Speaking of wanting more video….can’t wait to see our NZ adventures in action! See you soon….

By: AdventureAaron

AdventureAaron — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:44:57 +0000

Now thats a solid video….what coat tails

I want more!

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Thu, 13 May 2010 22:03:38 +0000

@Leigh – despite the crowds, it was great!

@Maya – There are other hikes in Tongariro National Park that are less popular; hence less crowded – and still afford a great experience. (I don’t know this first-hand; only from people I’ve spoken to). I’ve also chatted with people who have had great (solitary) experiences on the Abel-Tasman trail on the South Island…but I think you have to commit to multi-day hikes to get away from some of the crowds. Going during the shoulder season also pays if you’re wanting to escape the crowds.

By: Maya

Maya — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:45:42 +0000

Looks like a great hike. Would love to do it, but I have a feeling that the trail would be a bit too busy for my likings. I really wish that New Zealand had more long day hike trails–in good condition– that aren’t super crowded. Maybe it does, but we didn’t find them on our recent trip to the South Island. Your description of your back made me chuckle. I always feel like I am carrying a monster pack on the trail, but I like to be prepared.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:23:34 +0000

Sounds like a suoerb hike. I would love to do it.