ASCENT OF MT. RUAPEHU.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 416, 27 January 1909, Page 8

ASCENT OF MT. RUAPEHU.

A party consisting of Messrs. Purnell, Bush, , and Collins (Marton). Bertram (Taihape), and Gordon (Rangataua) have, just made a successful climb'to the highest, peak of Mount Ruapehu. Leaving Rangataua at 2.15 p.m. qn JYiday, and camping'in the bush that night, an early start was mado on Saturday, and' the edge of the bush reached at 7.10 a:m,"' From here an uninterrupted: view of the mountain, is obtained,- and the summit was gained at 1.10 p.m. The course followed was right along the ridge on the right hand side of the Alum-. Stream from Rangataua. The presence of alum is more noticeable nearer the mountain. - The climb is fairly easy, with the exception of two or three pre-' cipitous; faces:,of rock within about quarter of a mile from the top. These were the only places where. : it was necessary to use the rope., I It; is doubtful if anyone has experienced more perfect weather conditions for the climb,: as the; day, though bright, was not too warm, and when the.top was reacheda beautiful sight was witnessed. - The crater lake lay right at the party's feet-, and this alone is a sight not soon: be forgotten.- The ice .fields seen from this point of vantage are remarkable in extent, and in places -most fantastic in shape. .A beautiful:view of Lake Taupo,; Mount Egmont, and the "Waimarino Plains was obtained from here,; but the countowards Marton" -was thickly enveloped in smoke from numerous- bush fires. The snow was in excellent order for the downward climb, on which the party started at 3.30, after taking some snapshots from the. top, some of whichespecially of the crater lake,' are excellent. They came straight down the steepest face on the return journey, and by using ice axes as a sort of brake mad,e very quick progress, and where it took over two hours' to climb they came down in ten minutes, and'quite enjoyed: the glide, They reached the edge of the bush at six o'clock, having loitered round , the snow viewing the different wonders on the way down. After a good» meal, the. party made a camp and turned in to. sleep. -.- Getting np early on Sunday,' as-it was too-cold to sleep, they made, for the .bush, - and,-taking things easy," reached Rangataua at 12.30. ' The grado is; very good, and were,-, a,,' bridle track cutto. the edge o fthe bush, Rangataua would.'be the, base from which the best ascent could bo made. ,-The Government have an offer, to make a bridle track for 4s. s/ohaiu, ..and it is Jj« sscegbeaU _