AMONG THE PEAKS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1333, 10 January 1912, Page 6

AMONG THE PEAKS.

CHRISTMAS ON RUAPEHU AND NGAURUHOE. [Bγ "Pbvkbil."] One hears of trips to the Milfortl and Marlbarough 'Sounds, of tho SVuugnnui l<l ver trip,- of jnuntsj through tho Uuilur Gorgi', anil lounges by the seaside, but Kcniom duos it occur Iα us wliav a glorious lienmgo we have in tliat range «i hoii.ry out volcanoes whlcli ionn a ndgu extending neariy uailwny. ■α-russ the whim oi the iSortn Jsniiid. 'iiiese luouinaiiia—i reler to 'longunro, Ituupeuu,ami Agaurulioe—face onu as nu ie,ues uie u-uiu ai Waiouru, and aro almost as easily accessible us tho wcii-iruuiii!it upianus, oi Switzerland. .and tne Tyrol, yet how Imle attention they, receivu troui the. liohdayluaicer in search ol new sensations. Tins season a lew people—pernaps uutler two Kcoic—camped at L'tiristnias-timo in the mountaiu nut, which is situated on the banKs of tho ice-cold Waiholionu Stream (which has its source in the ice caverns of l<impellu}, near the ID-milo peg on tho Waiouru-Tokaanua road. This spot is a favourite one, aiid tho hut, substantially built, and containing two rooms, with six bunks each, is generally the base for all campers and mountaineers.

The parties that gathered there this Christmas numbered about 32 people—-a party of. nine from Auckland, another party headed by Messrs. .Natusch, of I'atmerston N.orth, and Gardiner, of Taihape, composed of 1!) persons, aud included five ladies; Messrs. Murdock and Cwrie, of Napier; two walking enthusiasts came over on a tramp from Napier, via llaugitiaki, Taupo, Tokaanu, Hoto-Aira, aud Tongariro, also helped to swell the number;:. All the above parties succeeded in climbing Ngauruhoe, and visiting other place* of interest to tho north of the hut, but, owing to the unsettled weather, a number of them failed to reach tho top of Kiiapehu. However, several of them, including some of the ladies, succeeded in reaching the north peak of this mountain.

The only party representing the Empire city was. composed of Messrs. T. W. Brown and L. Wardrop, who arrived at tho Waihohomi Hut on the 24th ultiuio. On Christmas day bad weather prevented any attempts at the mountaineering. On Boxing Day, however, the weather showed signs of clearing, and an early start was made for To Heu Heu, or the north peak of l<uapehu, which was still covered in fog aud mist. Owing to the exceptionally bad winter and spring, Kuapehu has more,snow on its slopes this year than previously known, and tho snow line at present reaches down to within five miles of the hut.

On arriving at the snow line, this party had not proceeded far when the weather changed, and a howling galo set in, accompanied by snow, sleet, fog, win, mist, etc., but did not prevent these two climbers from pushing on. By dint of hard work, with ice axes, they succeeded in gaming the higher levels, spelling now and again for the thick fog to lift in order to follow the main ridge. At times it was impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. The party got off tho main ridge several times, and they found it necessary to cut a large number of steps in order to get out of some awkward places.

After some G£ hours' plugging away, they found themselves below the high bluff near the top of tho peak, and.Vproceedine across tho face of tho Whakapapanui Glacier, thence by a few zig-zags, they found themselves on tho ton of tho North Peakafter seven hours' -hard work from tho Mountain Hut. This climb (the first one this season from the Waihohonn side) was a most trying one, and was earned out in a gale and snow storm Owing to the intense cold and the snow that was falling,,tho party only remained on top tor about one minute, and tho descent was then undertaken. The falling snow had in places completed obliterated their tracks, and added to their difficulties. The weather now began to break and clear. At about 4 p.m., when tho lower levels were reached, thr> mountain was clearing rapidly, and about G p.m. it was donouslv clear. Tho next day another early start was made, the morning being absolutely perfect, not a single cloud in the sky, and the mountain covered in its beautiful mantle of snow, free of all fog and mist. After four and a half hours' steady work the summit was reached, and soino excellent views of the surrounding country were obtained, over the fields of cloudland, with steaming Ngauruhoe thrusting its jaggod fangs heavenwards. An advance was then made to the top of Pare-Te-Tai Tonga (9025 ft.), and thence across tho snowfields to tho wonderful turquoise-tinted Grata Lake, where pieces of ice. could lie seen and heard tumbling into its warm wntors. Tho return journey was made across the Wangachu Glacier to the North Peak, and thence to the main spur, enjoying en route somo excellent glissading spins on the lower levels.

The next two days were spent at the Mountain Hut, bad weather preventing any climbing.

On December 30 the weather cleared, and Ngauruhoo claimed attention. Tho climb was undertaken from the northern side, tho summit being reached in 3\ hours from tho hut. The party attempted to get a closer view of the activo vent by crossing tho snow fields in the crater, bnt owing to the numerous dangerous cracks in the ice the attempt was abandoned. The volcano was booming heavily at intervals, and sending up largo clouds of sulphurous steam. The return journey was made by climbing out of the crater to the eastern crags, and thence around to the southern spur. On arriving there a cut across country and a visit to Lake Nga Puna, a Tarn a was undertaken.

A visit was also paid to ,the Ketelahe Hut, some 1G miles away across tho Tongariro Range, where the party arrived at 9 p.m. Tho following two days were spent in visiting and climbing Ketetahe springs, Te Mari crater, Blue Lake crater, Red orator, north and south and eastern craters, and Mount Tongariro, and many photographs .of those interesting places were taken. Bad weather having now sot in. the party were detained in tho Ketetahi Hut for three days, at the end of which time, patience having become exhausted, they. packed their sweigs and set oft for "Waiouru, via the Tongariro Rnngp. Tho gain was so sevore in crossing the country that they found it necessary nt times to Ho down in tho snow and await a calm before proceeding. tually they arrived'.it AWiiouru' at 10 p.m. nn the sth* inst., having covered somo 10 miles, with heavy swags, in one day.