Death hike

Tongariro National Park

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November 29th 2012
Day 1: Friday we literally just climbed the mountain of death. If hell freezes over, that is what I hiked. Yet this is quoted to be “the best day hike in the world.” We ascended a distance of 19K straight up a cliff in 5 hours. With increasing elevation, wind speeds got up to 35 km/hr. That’s 20 mi/hr wind in the middle of blizzarding snow, fog, and clouds. My backpack strap kept slapping me ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more