All by Myself Running the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand - May 2020
Channel: Lockey Price
Date: 2020-05-29

Ever since I heard of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, it had been on my list.  We had thought about dragging the kids across it.  I mean, we had dragged them up and down the Pinnacles Hike in the Coromandel, so they probably could have handled it, but ultimately, this became a solo adventure.  It was initially tough to find someone to arrange a one-way shuttle. Most of the shuttles that were operating at this time of year and under level 2 lockdown were only doing round trips.  Usually a 7.5 hour drop off and pick up duration. 
I wanted to jog it at my own pace and get home to Cami and the kids sooner rather than later.  So, after making a bunch of phone calls I was able to connect with shuttle company that was able to take me out on a one way shuttle. 
 
I drove to the Ketahi Car Park for 7:30 and was dropped off at beginning of the crossing just after 8.  
Long story, short: the hike was amazing.
Long story, long:  
It was cold to start.  I had a pair of tights on (they may have been Cami’s tights) and another pair of pants, my light down jacket, a rain jacket, undergloves, and over gloves and a toque.  One of the guys on the shuttle said it was -8.  Could have been.  

It was a pretty mellow start to Soda Springs.  The springs were partially frozen with lots of green plants beneath the recently frozen ice.
The Devils’ staircase was, honestly, pretty chill and I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON IT! 

I had passed probably 30 people on my way up, but once I passed the last group on the first part of the track, I was all by myself for the rest of it.  If you watch youtube videos or have seen pictures (I’ve included two in the video) this hike is typically ruined, because there are so many tourists on it (thank you Corona). 
The lakes were stunning and it was really cool being up in the alpine on these volcanoes.  

While I was crossing the Blue Lake, I saw something out of the corner of my eye and almost before I could pull out my camera and press record, it was gone.  I don’t know what kind of plane it was, my guess is some sort of jet, but I’ve only ever been buzzed like that at an air show.  I can’t imagine that they let people fly that low through the crossing, but it was a pretty cool experience.  I’ve cut all of my geeking out about being buzzed by the airplane.  You’re welcome. 

The decent is long, and generally uneventful.  10 kms of switchbacks, ending in a forest with a creek and a waterfall. 

Great hike.  Totally worth doing and I was super stoked that I was able to do it without all of the other tourists around.