SCALED RUAPEHU.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 251, 23 October 1928, Page 10

SCALED RUAPEHU.

LONG PULL THROUGH SOFT

SHOW.

TRAMFERS' WEEK-END

HOLIDAT.

NATIONAL PARK IN EARLY SPRING

After three days of revelling in the snow fields of Tongariro National Park, 20 members of the Auckland Tramping Club returned by tho Main Trunk Express this morning with faces burnt by sunshine reflected from the snow, and with memories of a delightful holiday.

The Header of the party (Mr. W. M. Mays) said that leaving Auckland on Friday night they reached the Whakapapa huts at 4.30 a.m. Light snow was jailing. Early in the morning they left for the snowline, and, arrived there, they had a good time toboganning and glissading. In the afternoon a visit was paid to the Tarauaki Falls and the Haunted Whare. Sunday was a perfect 'day, so seventeen of the party set out for the top of Ruapehu, and the 9000 feet climb through soft snow was astrenuous undertaking. The 'glorious views df Ngauruhoe and distant Egmont, which the climbers enjoyed irom the summit, were, however, ample compensation for the long hard climb. While up the mountain the party ascended Te Heuheu Peak, and visited Cathedral •Rocks and the Crater -Lake. The views over the Kjiimanawa Range and the plains "were magnificent.. With the exception of a small patch in the middle the Crater Lake was frozen over. As the snow was in excellent condition for glissading, the .party made very good time on the descent from Ruapehu. On the way down the Ski Club hut was visited. Although Monday turned out wet, the holiday makers went off In several parties, visiting Manga tepopo Huts, and South Crater, Nga Puna a Tama, Tawhai Falls, and Haunted Whare.

With many regrets, rucksacks were packed, at the end of the day, and the ,party SBt out lor the city after a thoroughly enjoyable week-end.