ASCENT OF NGAURUHOE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3772, 29 June 1926, Page 75

ASCENT OF NGAURUHOE.

CLIMBER S .METEORIC DESCENT. WANGANUI, June 23 A special message to the Wanganui Herald from the National Park states that the ascent of Ngauruhoe, which still shows signs of activity was made from Whakapapa yesterday, the party consisting of Mr A. Murie Mr A. Haywood (Wanganui), and Mr Ross (Shannon). Except for a strong wind the weather conditions were ideal, but the surface of the mountain was of solid ice and very treacherous, and it was necessary to cut steps for practically the whole distance. The crater was reached after a four hours’ climb and presented a wonderful spectacle, being intensely active over the whole area. Several new fissures and blow holes have been formed, the shape of the crater has been completely altered, and it appears to be much larger since the eruption. The descent began at 2 p.ra. After going a short distance Mr Haywood had the misfortune to r.iiss his foothold. His ice axe was wrenched from his hand, and he was precipitated several hundred feet down a rocky ice face and hurled over a 60 foot bluff. Tlis meteoric course was arrested by a deep snow drift. He sustained a lacerated thigh and severe abrasions, but escaped serious injury. It was nothing short of miraculous that the other members of the expedition descended safely. They assisted the injured man back to the hut where first aid was rendered by a ranger, A. Cowling. The patient rapidly recovered from the shock and was able to get about this morning apparently none the worse for his -»erveracking experience. During his recordbreaking descent Mr Haywood lost his camera containing the first photograph of the crater secured since the eruption. An effort to recover it will be made in the next few days, and if the search Is successful some unique pictures will be available.