New post on Wilderness Coffee & Natural High!
See the full story on my new website: www.wildernesscoffee-naturalhigh.com → Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki.
As long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by mountains. Especially of the fire-spewing kind. Perhaps because of the total absence of them in my home country… or perhaps it’s something more. The awe-inspiring beauty and majesty of them. The mysterious lure of hidden valleys and adventurous trails beyond.
New Zealand
New Zealand is one of those places I will never get tired of bumbling around. Mount Taranaki looms majestically over New Plymouth, on ithe west coast of the North Island. I was on my way to Tongariro National Park, and then it suddenly came into view.
When she comes to greet me
The mountain that was hardly ever visible. The elusive Mount Taranaki, shrouded by its own mysterious low-hanging clouds for most days of the year. But now it stood there, clearly visible, and beckoning in all its glory. It took my breath away, and I couldn’t resist. It was calling me and I had to go.
This is a short summary. Read the full story (with more pictures!) on Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki.
I literally skidded to a halt and changed my course and planning there & then. The next morning I got up at ridiculous o’ clock, and saw one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen, on a majestic and completely cloudless Mount Taranaki, straight from the front of my tent.
The magic of Mount Taranaki. Sunrise on the completely cloudless volcano.
Mount Taranaki isn’t for the faint hearted. The altitude gain is nearly 1600 metres from the start of the track to the summit, at 2518 metres. It takes about 10 hours to go there & back again, along a very steep stratovolcanic path.
Steep stratovolcanic paths.
Something must have happened on Mount Taranaki that made a deep impression. It was like a force of nature that can’t be explained.
Read all about it, see how to get there & other practicalities on Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki.
(c) Nancy Claus – Wilderness Coffee & Natural High
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As I walk through the valley of the shadow of clouds, I shall fear no heights ;-)
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Tongariro – The track across Middle Earth
Fimmvörðuháls – The fiery pass across Eyjafjallajökull
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Haleakala – The House of the Rising Sun
The Vierdaagse of Nijmegen – Four days of long-distance trials & tribulations
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