A HIKE FIT FOR A HOBBIT
NATASHA JOHNSON GOES TREKKING THROUGH NEW ZEALAND’S TOLKIEN TERRITORY
Today is the day I’m going to die. A
sacrifice to Sauron, who hasn’t been
heard of in these parts since those
pesky hobbits ruined his crafty plans
to dominate Middle Earth. Slivers of
sulphurous gases infiltrate my nauseated
nostrils as I drudge up Mangatepopo
Saddle, taking me towards the very
active and still-steaming vent of the Red
Crater, the highest point of the Tongariro
Alpine Crossing, touted as New Zealand’s
“greatest day walk”.
Greatest walk for some maybe, but my
thighs are screaming in protest with every
step, punishing me for the many birthday
libations I ingested the night before when,
to the home-grown tunes of Mango
32 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
Groove, I’d believed I could dance, dance,
dance and dance some more.
The epic journey across this expansive
volcanic terrain began innocuously enough
at Mangatepopo Valley, the flattest part
of the 19-kilometre walk, and where liquid
hot magma once flowed. Nowadays it’s all
alpine greenery, making for a mellow walk
from which you can marvel at the majesty
of Mt Ngauruhoe, the model for Tolkien’s’
legendarium and home of the One Ring.
The only dangerous part of this leg of the
trek is getting poked in the eye by one of
the many selfie sticks.
My marvelling (and good cheer) comes
to an abrupt end as the gentle gradient
became progressively steeper towards
Kiwi crossing en route to Tongariro National
Park on New Zealand’s South Island.