SWIM IN CRATER

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1932, Page 3

SWIM IN CRATER

FEAT ON MOUNT RUAPEHU. HOT and cold water. Swimming across the '-hot" lake in the crater o! Mount Ruapehu on Thursday, Mr A. Sy'iow and -Mr K. Sy.ow, of Chelsea, Auckland, accomplished a teat equalled only twice b.tore within the memory of old residents of the district. Ihe descent from the crater-rim to the shores of the lake is in itsdf a hazardou s task as the surface is very unstable, pieces of rock and scoria being dislodged at almost every step. Jhe swim across the lake, a distance ot about three-quarters of a mile, occupied 50 minutes.

the swimmer s were handicapped by the tact 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 bore similar characteristics to a copper sulphate solution. The two men, although tired by their long immersion ) were none the worse for their unusual experience.

One oi the other two persons known to have swum the lake previously was the late iMr Girdlestone, of the Land and Survey Department, Wellington, who made a successful attempt about 20 years ago. Mr Girdlestone was an enthusiastic mountaineer and a tablet is erected to his memory near the summit of: Mount Ruapehu. Mr J. Blythe, a schoolmaster, of Ohakune, accomplished the crossing about ten years ago.

Accompanied by Guide Olaf. the iMcssrs Sylow left the Chateau at about 5 a.m. Conditions for climbing were ideal. The ascent of the mountain, which was made jn rather le'suriy fashion to permit of exploration on the journey, was completed in alt.nt six hours.

The descent to the* bottom of the basin presented a more difficult problem, and the trainpir.s were obliged to pick their way carefully down the treacherous sides of the crater. After the successful swimming of the lake no time wa s lost in setting out on Hie 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, tlu* .trampers arriving there at about 6 o’clock. The entire expedition had taken 13 hours.