CRATER CLIMBING PERILS

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4228, 14 February 1921, Page 2

CRATER CLIMBING PERILS

YOU MAY BE GASSED, BURNT OR BLOWN UP. What is the world's most dangerous sport: Mountain-climbing takes many victims, but climbing down Into the craters of volcanoes easily beats it. t The latest attempt has brought no loss of life, however. Dr. Mollandru has just made a descent into the fiery crater of Vesuvius, which is at present active, though not in a state of (^eruption. His object was to take photographs. Such descents are usually made in fire-proof clothes and gas-masks. The floor of the crater of ahjictive volcano is usually semi-liquid. Parts are solid enough to stand on, others are pools of liquid rock. Tremendous heat is given off, and the air is full of the stifling fumes of sulphur. Vast jets of steam keep bursting unexpectedly through the floor. In addition, there is always the sporting chance that the volcano may start erupting. ■ Two' attempts to explore the crater of Etna were made, in (1911, shortly befoi'e it started erupting. In one attempt the daring scientists actually descended a thousand feet and took successful photographs. The other attempt was made the week after by two Americanv cameramen for a film firm. They did not get down far before asking to be hauled up again, one being so badly gassed that he died some weeliS: later. The most ■ tragic piece of crater-r climbing' on record took place some years ago at Tama-Vitu, the greatvolcano in the Solomon Isles. Three white men (two of them English) and their negro attendants had just reached the floor of the crater when, an eruption began. A negro dragged one of the Englishmen out insensible. The rest were* never seen ; again. The trip was made merely out of curiosity.