Joe's post -

Dec 24 – Joe’s post

A word about the Tongariro Alpine crossing. It’s best done if you are under 30. The first 8 hours were the worst, but the last 5 minutes were not so bad, expcept that we were already near dead. The first 4 hours were really hard… all uphill, very steep. Went straight up to the rims of the craters. After that it wasn’t so bad, but we were so tired that the next four hours were really hard to do. After we got to the hotel, we sat in the hot tub and then ate. I fell asleep at the table. Went to be at 7 and slept for 12 hours and felt much better.

The scenery was really great, and we’ll post pictures of it. Definitely worthwhile, but getting old is no goddam picnic.

The mystery about why there are no people in the Country is, however solved. They are all doing the Tongariro Crossing. Every hour between 6 and nine, 5 or six large busses disgorge people for the hike. Every language imaginable is being spoken. You are supposed to bring bad weather, and cold weather clothing, food and above all water, because, the water up in the volcanic area is not drinkable. Some people brought very little, and given the difficulty of the hike, we expected them to get into trouble. But the weather was good, and these young people don’t seem to flag. The trail was full of people all the time…. I guess pictures are best….they will come. I’ll do that today.