An Ascent of Mt. Egmont.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVIII, 31 October 1903, Page 45

An Ascent of Mt. Egmont.

(Continued from page 45.) of snow 3000 feet above us. We did not find the time irksome, as we found plenty to occupy and amuse us, what with reading, ping-pong, music and stories. But as soon as fine weather made its appearance we who were ambitious enough, and had the physical strength, started off one morning to attempt the climb. But after reaching Humphries’ Castle (which is considered half-way up from the house) we had to return owing to a thick fog. This same afternoon a large party arrived from New Plymouth, with the intention of reaching the summit on the morrow. Many of them proved of the noisy class, and therefore no one had much more than forty winks that night. Next morning, before daybreak, our party was up and on its way. Arriving at the top of the bush line before sunrise, we climbed a ridge, and there waited for the return of day. The sun slowly rose above the horizon a little to the south of Mt. Ruapehu—a ball of pure gold. From here we plodded on at the rate of about 900 ft. rise in the hour until we reached the line above which no vegetation grows—-About 2000 feet from the summit. The climb from this upward became rather wearisome on account of the steep grade and loose scoria we had to contend with. There were five in our party who made the climb, three ladies and one gentleman besides the writer. The ladies climbed remarkably well, and were doubtless many times spurred on by the sight of provisions ahead, which we men carried strapped on our backs. Many times we had to climb almost on hands and knees to prevent ourselves from slipping back on the loose scoria until within 900 feet of the top, when we got on to solid rock, with patches of frozen snow all round us. Looking about, we got a splendid view of the surrounding country, ineluding New Plymouth and the Sugar Loaves. While looking down the mountain slope we could see straggling groups of the other party. We reached the summit at 10.30, thus taking six hours to climb the 5120 feet from the house. On our arrival there a broad and very extensive field of frozen snow met our view. The summit, including the crater, which is full of frozen snow, is some five acres in extent. From the highest point. 8260 feet above sea level, we could just discern the outline of ranges in the South Island over Nelson way. Unfortunately our view was very often interrupted by clouds coming round us, But with the extensive view we got when clouds did permit, and the novel experience of being surrounded by so much snow and ice, and also of seeing the rolls of clouds, like pure white, wool, floating below us, we were very well repaid for the hard work we had. in ascending. Having a kodak with me, I was fortunate enough to obtain some novel and interesting pictures, which are given in this issue of the “Graphic.” After spending about two hours in this delightful atmosphere, we began to descend, and reached the house again about 3 p.m. Needless to say, we slept very soundly that night, as the noisy party had gone back home, and we felt we had justly earned a good night’s rest. We

awoke next morning without feeling any ill effects, and spent the day exploring the wonderful and beautiful bush and collecting some of the pretty mosses and ferns which grow there in wild profusion. The next day we spent in much the same fashion, and in the evening we decorated the old barracks and held a concert and dance as a farewell to this magnificent mountain. The following day our party and another packed traps, and we wended our way slowly down the shady and rugged, but beautiful, track to the radius line, where our brake was awaiting us; then, having almost all a down hill run to New Plymouth, we arrived there at 5 o’clock. This concluded one of the most enjoyable holidays I have ever spent, and, notwithstanding the few days’ rain (which was rather unusual just at. that time of year), we all proclaimed it a‘first-class excursion. The accommodation at the house is not all that could be desired, but the charge made is very trifling, 1/ per day, or 5/ per week, inch’ding use of cooking utensils, and 1/6 per meal if desired. Neither has the caretaker as much power to quell the disturbances of noisy visitors as might be desirable, but this could easily be remedied, and I can strongly recommend this trip to any who want a complete change of air and scene, or those who would desire to climb mountains.