CRATER LAKE SWUM

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1932, Page 12

CRATER LAKE SWUM

RUAPEHU ACHIEVEMENT

Swimming across the "hot" lake in tße crater of Mount Buapehu on Thursday, Mr. N. Sylow and Mr. K. Sylow, of Chelsea, Auckland, accomplished a feat equalled only twice before within the memory of old residents of the district (states the* "New Zealand Herald"). The descent from the crater-rim to the shores of-the lake is in itself a hazardous task, as the surface is very unstable, pieces of rock and scoria being dislodged at almost every step. The swim across the lake, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile, occupied 50 minutes. :

The swimmers were handicapped by tKe fact that there were alternating currents of fairly hot and very cold water. The sudden changes of temperature were most marked. The water was bitter to the taste, and resembled a copper sulphate solution. The two men, although tired by their long immersion, were none the worse for their unusual experience. One of the other two persons known to have swum the dafce previously -was the late Mr. Girdlestone, of the Lands and Survey Department, Wellington, who crossed it about 20 years ago. Mr. J. Blythe, a schoolmaster, of- Ohakune, swam the lake about ten years ago. Accompanied by Guide Olaf,,the Messrs. Sylow left the Chateau at about 5 a.m. Conditions for climbing were ideal. The ascent of the mountain, which was made in rather leisurely fashion to permit of exploration on the journey, was completed in about six hours. The descent to the bottom of the basin presented a more difficult problem, and the trampers had to pick their way carefully down the treacherous sides of the crater. After the successful swimming of the lake no time was lost in setting out on the return trip. Three hours after beginning the'descent the members of the party were back at the summit of the mountain. The return to the Chateau was accomplished in about four hours, the trampers . arriving there at about 6 o'clock. The entire expedition occupied 13 hours.