Hiking Around Tongariro National Park

Hiking around Tongariro National Park has been a pretty cool experience!  Hiking around volcanoes, active thermal vents and craters has been quite surreal.  It's been great being so close to the park. We have had to drive anywhere from 2 minutes to 40 minutes to get to the hikes around here. 

Tongariro is the oldest national park in New Zealand, and the area holds many sacred Maori sites along with some active volcanoes. For the skiers out there, this is also where New Zealand's largest ski area is located on Mount Ruahepu below!  The ski season here usually runs from June to the end of October.  

Lower Tama Lake with Mount Ruahepu in the background. It has very little snow on it right now! 

It's interesting because the trails are all really well developed and maintained, but the touristy, commercial part of things was less so.  I came here with my Canadian Rockies bias expecting a sort of 'Canmore' and 'Banff' type towns to be established here, but that was not the case! Don't get me wrong though, Tongariro National Park is a popular destination for Kiwis and international tourists. There are tour companies, and a variety of accommodation options, but it all seems so minimal when you are used to the Rockies!  

One of the best parts about hiking around here are the signs and trail markers. The trails here are marked with poles when things get confusing.  At trailheads and trail junctions, there are signs that tell you where to go and how long it will take you to get there! It's amazing!  Never be confused again!

Dave and I also went into one of the backcountry huts we passed by and they look so cozy! I've never been in a backcountry hut in Canada, so I have nothing to compare it to.  This one was on the Whakapatiti Valley trail.  They also collect rain water outside so there is always a freshwater supply somewhere. You still need to filter it though!  

In the nicer huts on the Great Walks, there are hot showers, flushing toilets, and gas stoves that you can use. You obviously pay more, but, yes, you can have a HOT SHOWER in the backcountry. Crazy talk! I know!

Twaihai Falls - A short 20 minute walk, and a LOTR set location! 

If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, like I am, you really get the feeling that you are in Rohan and in Mordor. Peter Jackson did an amazing job showcasing New Zealand's natural beauty in the movies. Dave and I went on a hike to Twahai Falls (above), and didn't even realize we were at one of the set locations! 

A lagoon we encountered in the middle of a Ohinetonga Walking Track. 

 One distinct track we went on was called Ohinetonga Walking Track. It's only four kilometers, and has very little view, but the forest you walk through is breathtaking. It was so dense, and lush...two words that don't really do it justice, but it was just amazing and beautiful.  It was also the scene of a rather dramatic pond crossing...but you can ask Dave about that one!

Ohinetonga Walking Track

Ohinetonga Walking Track

That being said, if you are planning to go hiking in New Zealand, here are a few tips from me to you:

• Be prepared!! Check the weather. Ask questions at the info center. Bring the right gear!
• Do not ignore the warnings and track closures you come across. Dave and I have learned that the Department of Conservation does not sugar coat things nor do they over exaggerate their warnings.  
• The weather DOES turn on a dime here, and you can just assume that it will rain. If it doesn't rain, you will probably be hiking in a cloud at some point, so bring your rain gear anyway!  If it just rained, bring your gaiters. There will be mud and puddles, and it will be slippery.

Bring your gaiters!

Hopefully this has given you a nice taste of what Tongariro National Park has to offer.  I can't wait to explore the mountains on the South Island!  

Hiking in the rain.

View of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Mount Nguaruhoe

Happy tramping!

Norman Lake and Sunset Pass

This past weekend I headed out onto highway 93 to hike to Norman Lake/Sunset pass.  I decided to haul my DSLR with me this time, instead of relying on my iPhone4. It was a great opportunity to test out my new, slightly used, wide angle lens, a Tokina 11-16 mm.  It was definitely worth carrying the extra weight and trust me...it was very noticeable.

Highway 93 approaching Bow Lake

Waterfall on the way up

The drive out was absolutely beautiful. I have been so busy trying to tick things off in the area between Lake Louise and Calgary, I can honestly say I haven't been up highway 93 in at least 10 years!  I am so lucky to live near such vast beauty!

The beginning of the hike is about 15 km north of the Saskatchewan River Crossing, and it's about a three hour drive from Calgary.  Of course, it takes a little longer when you decide to stop at your favourite bagel shop in Canmore, but it's worth it.

The first three km of the hike was a series of steep switchbacks through a forest, with a few places to catch a glimpse of the highway, the Alexandra River Valley and a lovely waterfall.  We also gained 420m of the  of the 725 meters of elevation here! The guidebook was not exaggerating when they used the word "excruciating".

After the endless switchbacks, we crossed a small part of the meadow and reached the campsite 4.2 km in.  The campsite itself is quite nice, although we booked three sites and there weren't enough for us. Three out of the four bear hangs also didn't work, so eight of us shared one.  If you know anything about bear hangs, you know how unpleasant it can be to raise and lower them!

On our way up 

Quite a picturesque little spot!

Our campsite

After setting up camp, we continued onward to Sunset pass, which was another 4 km.  We hiked through some beautiful meadows, that seemed to fight back with its thick unruly bushes. The bushes had grown over the path, so it was hard to see where it went and difficult to get through at some points.  We were skiing through armpit height bushes at one point!

Hiking through the endless meadow that seemed to fight back with its thick, unruly bushes!

After what seemed like forever, we finally reached Sunset Pass. Morale was a little low, but the strong gusts of wind provided some reprieve from the swarms of mosquitos that followed us wherever we went!  I counted eight bites above my left eyebrow when I got home... Kory had at least fifty on her shoulders by the end of it.

A view of Pinto Lake from Sunset Pass. Approx. 8km from the parking lot, although it felt like more.

Coming back from Sunset pass

Stunning views

We bolted back to our campsite for our long awaited dinner. Jenn prepared a fabulous meal of sausage cooked over the campsite complete with a delicious salad (with arugula!).  Steve brought ketchup.  We didn't quite get to my freeze dried risotto, but maybe next time!

A few minutes after leaving our campsite.

After trudging down the switchbacks, we decided to have lunch at Waterfowl Lake. It was a few minutes south of the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Guided by Steve's cousin, Katarina, we stopped at a partially submerged picnic table. The area had obviously been affected by the flood, and it made for a beautiful lunch stop!

Stopped for lunch at Waterfowl Lake. The recent floods have changed the landscape here too!

Although it was a short trip, I definitely had to battle the negative thoughts in my head while we were hiking up the switchbacks.  At some points during the trip, I couldn't get anything done because I was swatting the swarms of mosquitos away.  It was definitely worth the effort and the days of itchiness to come.  Thanks again Steve for organizing the trip, Jenn for taking care of dinner, and Kory for letting us take your car.

Waterfowl Lake off highway 93, just a few minutes by car south of the Saskatchewan River Crossing.

It feels like this blog has mainly been about my adventures so far!  Dave has been busy helping disadvantaged kids have adventures of their own. He is working as a climbing guide at the Tim Horton's Children's Ranch in the Kananaskis until we leave for New Zealand.

After talking to him, I'm so proud of all the hard work and effort he and all his coworkers put into giving these kids an experience of a lifetime! They get to experience so many things related to the outdoors, the arts and music. I'm also really glad he is getting a glimpse into my world as a teacher :).

Lake Minnewanka

I went on my first backcountry country trip this weekend with some friends around Lake Minnewanka. Since Dave, the one who always carries the DSLR, had my little point and shoot, I decided to solely use my iPhone! I purchased an alloclip for my phone and KaBlam! I was ready to go.

The alloclip comes with a fish-eye, macro and wide angle lens. 

The hike to our campsite was 9km from the parking lot. It follows the shore of the lake most of the way there. The beginning of the trail was peppered with tourists, trail runners and mountain bikers. Everyone was, of course,very polite about sharing the trail.

Wide Angle Shot

Wide angle lens and stitched together with a fancy iPhone app. 

Our fantastic group! 

Steve - coordinator, bar tender, unofficial spirit leader, tour guide and navigator

Jenn - bringer of wine (very important job!!!), photographer/historian/ship's log

Jeanne and Marthe - lovely ladies from 

France and absolute troopers on their first camping trip!

Kory - anti-spirit leader and my loyal bathroom buddy (also very important job!) 

I was the sun dancer. No one ever saw me dance... Wasn't sure they could handle it. 

I love the fish eye lens!! 

Overall, a fairly easy trip (when you avoid the lookout...it's a 10 km side trip from lm9 camp site) and great for first time back country travellers! Note: bring a small hatchet for your back-country fire! Only use dead fall, leave the living trees alone! Or just have your friends haul in fire logs by sneaking them into their packs... That works too.

Remember: The best camera is the one you have with you!