Yay.
The Tararua Northern Crossing was not my choosing. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to it because my fiance had talked it up - he spent time in the Tararua mountains when he was younger and thought it would be fun to show off his old stomping grounds.
On day one of three we made our way to Tarn Ridge Hut. Based on our fitness levels we expect to be there in less than eight hours.
It took 12 hours of huffing, puffing, photo stops, snack stops, whining, and some crying to get there.
Like many tracks, trails, and routes that I've hiked in NZ, this trip started off with walking through some farm land and up a mossy mountain.
After about four hours we had a scenic lunch stop.
Then, up and away we went.
Mitre Peak - 1571 meters
Yes, we felt on top of the world... but, I was also feeling lightheaded, wobbly, and anxious. The heights started getting to me. I wasn't mentally prepared for the route we took. I wasn't expecting an easy walk in the park, but I had no expectations that this trip required a head for heights!
I struggled when we had to hike upwards. I got myself through dodgy sections by taking baby steps and using two trekking poles to feel steady. On the steep downwards sections I slid on my rump.
Somehow, I bum slid down this little gem right here:
Onwards, onwards, onwards. Right across the top!
In between whimpers, I managed to put my distress aside and look around me. Even though I was a bit freaked out, I still appreciated the natural beauty of being on top of mountains.
Just before sunset we reached the hut. It was freezing and so we got right to work on heating up water for sugary hot drinks and preparing dinner. Since we had the whole hut (which sleeps 16 people) to ourselves, we turned up the music on the iPod. Being busy and having a tunes helped me relax after a stressful day.
The next day we left the comfort of Tarn Ridge Hut and started making our way to Te Matawai Hut. This time, I was fully warned that there was a dodgy section (the Waiohine Pinnacles - 1400 meters) that would be worse than the previous day. Then, I was given the option to take an easier route: get off the ridge line and head down to the river.
Ha! I am not one to back down from a challenge! I would be just as nervous crossing the Pinnacles as I was the day before, but I was determined to keep going on our planned route. (Besides, years ago a small group of men managed to get over the Pinnacles at nighttime, holding flashlights, without a scratch. Surely I could do it in daylight with both of my hands free!)
I made it over the Pinnacles without too much of a hitch. Our lunch break was at Arete Hut.
Unfortunately, I don't have pictures from the rest of the trip. Bummer! Basically, we had an uneventful (but HOT) walk to the hut followed by an uneventful night in the hut.
Our last day was my favorite. We tramped to South Ohau Hut and had a quick rest stop before making our way out via the Ohau River. And, when I say, "via the river" I mean that we were actually in the river for a few hours, sometimes wading in water up to our butt!
Truth be told? The water felt amazing. My feet were so tender and the cool water was a relief! I actually walked in the water when I didn't need to, just because it felt so good.
So, now I've done the Northern Crossing. I totally underestimated what the Tararuas could throw at me, but I'm glad I was able to roam around my fiance's "backyard". I honestly couldn't imagine the pre-teen version of himself doing the same hike - I'm quite impressed! With that said, he didn't think the hike was too difficult and didn't quite grasp what I was on about ("Heights? What Heights?").
Well, that just means I'll have to give him a taste of his own medicine.
This summer, when we visit upstate New York, I've decided that we're going hiking in the Adirondacks... He's never had to deal with rattlesnakes and bears before!
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