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Tuesday 7th May 2013
After the previous days walk, I slept well, although my alarm went off far too early. Once the alarm went of at 5.30am and I sat up and hit my head on the top bunk (there wasn't much space). I got out the room and got changed quickly and washed in the bathroom. By the I got back to my room the light was on and everyone was up. As I got my bags ready the day before packing was easy and I stripped my bed. I then went I have breakfast, a cup of tea, cereal biscuits (as the packet was split), a banana and two crumpets. Slowly people emerged from their rooms. After breakfast I loaded my things in the bus and check my room a couple of times, I think I was paranoid as it was early. I got slightly annoyed with a couple of people in our group, who started their breakfast just before 6.30am, when we were meant to be leaving.
Once we were all on the bus and Wendy said good bye we were off on the lovely windy roads. I was watching as the bush and cliffs go past. It was slightly scary seeing a few rocks on the roadside that had fallen from the cliffs. It proved how vulnerable the cliffs were, especially after rain. It was still dark outside but the sun was rising and we had some red clouds, but other than that it was a clear morning. We had to stop quickly for Pinky to remove a fallen young spalling from the road. I snoozed for the rest of the journey. We arrived back near the hostel where we collected the linen from yesterday and the walkers jumped off (15 of the 17 were doing that crossing). Two guys met us and told us the plan, bag we could hire gear if needs be and pay up. I didn't need anything as I was all set from Kili, but they checked my shoes and clothes. I paid my pennies and once we were all paid up we piled onto another bus which would take us to the crossing. It was only a 20min short drive. However as we drove closer the three mountains came into stunning view against he crisp clear blue sky (two of which had snow on, but only one was properly capped by snow). We were given another brief and we hopped off the bus. We were not able to do the full crossing, as there was a volcanic explosion in November 2012, and today was the last day of the crossing being shut and was reopening tomorrow, so this meant we could only walk about half way to the lakes (blue and emerol) and up the two smaller peaks. It was exciting setting off on our adventure with the stunning backdrop. We could clearly see all three mountains. The path at first was nice and gradual (created by a glacier). Some parts had a wooden path, but other were just the rocky track. There were poles showing the way. The weather was warm (unlike what we had been warned against). It wasn't too long before I could feel my hip hurting, it started hurting on yesterday's walk but I was hoping it would have faded overnight. Also my boots were rubbing, which they have never done before. Progress was a little slow to start with to Soda Springs as we kept stoping to take photos. We didn't really stay too much as a group, and soon we soon spread out. I was happy to be walking by myself, as I had worked myself into a bit of a grump. About an hour into the walk we reached Soda Springs, a waterfall just off the track. Most of us all stopped here and had a mini break. Some of the lads went venturing up the rocks whilst some of us carried on the walk. The next section was steeper, but it was a combination of steps and paths. I found it though as my boots were causing a fair bit of pain (my hip liked going up hill). Again I mainly walked by myself. I soon met up with some others and when we reached the top of this incline (about 1hr) we had a short walk down into South Creator. This was a moonlike environment surrounded by mountains. As we walked towards the end of it and started an incline we saw some clouds coming in behind us. We had decided not to climb the highest peak, Mount Doom, as we wanted to see the lakes, I had nothing to prove with climbing mountains and if I'm honest my feet and hip were hurting. So we continued our walk. We had decided to walk to the lakes and then attempt the smaller peak if we had time on the way down. The next section of of incline as much harder as it was steeper and there was no path and the rocks were quite lose. Eventually I got to the top, with various stops. This walk was much harder than Kili. At the top of this climb we stopped and had a bit of lunch, I finished off my nuts, crackers, apple and fruit bar. It was a quick lunch, and then we were off again. It was a short walk up a gentle climb to get the view into the Red Creator. This was a stunning deep but small creator with deep red sides. From here it was another short walk to see the lakes. The lakes were beautiful, so colourful and bright. The Emerol lakes got their colour from the sulphur and you could see some steam coming from the rocks. There was a large blue lake higher up. We walked down closer to the lakes, although we stayed above them to get a good view. The walk down was fun as it was very lose scree rock, so I could ski down. We took lots of photos before heading back up the slope. We didn't walk all the way to the bottom as the view wouldn't be any better just closer. During the walk back up to the top of Red Creator we saw the guide from our company who was taking another group out. He told us there was an earthquake around 7.30am this morning, quite a powerful one (we were on the bus) and be showed us a picture of when the volcano erupted 6 months ago, it looked impressive. We continued the walk back. It was much easier walking back. The downhills seemed so much easier to the way back down. The clouds were now over the mountain peaks. The smaller summit was covered, so we decided not to climb it, as it would be a rushed walked and we wouldn't get good view. So we continued down. The steep sections were easier going down, although the rocks were a little sloppy. We hadn't seen some of the others in our group, so we assumed they hadn't walked this far up and turned back. As we finished coming down the second steep climb and walked across the South Creator. As we came out of the creator we saw some of the others coming down from Mount Doom. I had walked mostly with Anika, which was nice as we were happy to walk in silence at times. When we saw the others, we realised were (the 5 of us who went to the lakes) the rest had gone up Mount Doom, and some loose shattered and tired when we saw them at the bottom of Mount Doom. We carried on walking down, the last steep section also seemed easier. I was now walking with Irena too, and as per yesterday she started serious conversations, which was not what you want walking in such a beautiful situation. I tried to walk away from her and be by myself again. The walk down to Soda Springs seemed quicker than the walk up. However the walk from the springs to the car park seemed much longer than the way up. I assume this was because on the way up we were distracted by the view. After what seemed like a long walk we arrived back at the car park. The whole group arrived pretty much at the same time but a bit before the bus. I sat down ate my carrot and started reading my book. I was now cold and tired and was happy to read. Soon the bus pulled up and we got on board, we were given a free drink (fizzy or a beer), I took a Sprite and put it in my bag. I sat on the bus hugging my bag and feel asleep in the way back our hostel (hotel type place) 'The Park'. Once at the hostel we jumped off and those who hired clothes returned them.
The receptionist gave us a quick briefing and then we could check in. It was busy but I managed to get in first. I was keen to get a bottom bunk, as my hip was still painful. I got my key and found my room. I claimed my bed and went to get my bags out our Stray Bus. I had no energy once in my room and was cold. I put the little heater on and took my shows off. My feet that were hurting had been intact blisters on my heels. The others in my room and group were heading for the spa (outside hot tub) but I didn't have the energy. I had my biscuits and Sprite and waited for them to leave. I then had a long hot shower and got dressed into my PJs. I decided I would sort my things out for tomorrow and packed my lunch and my bag. I was all set for tomorrow and tonight. I left the room and found the 2 Swiss girls by the fire, as be rest were still in the Spa. I made myself a hot chocolate and sat with them, stoking the fire, writing my diary, reading and chatting. Time flew and around 6.30pm, I made my dinner of noodles, veg and ham. The two other girls were also eating. The rest of the group were in the TV room and the boys were getting their goat meal cooked. I ate my dinner in front of the fire, chatting. I then had my apricots and yoghurt. Slowly more people joined us around the fire when they were finished eating. I was good and said no to the offer of extra food from the Swiss. People had conversations around me, as I wrote my diary (earlier I started reading and not writing). Some of the conversations turned heavy as Irena took a story far to serious, it was entertain to listen to. I finished writing and it wasn't long before 10pm when I headed to bed. Getting ready for bed was simple as I was ready. I laid in bed and read for a while before heading to sleep.
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