TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK.

Shannon News, 10 January 1922, Page 3

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK.

ENJOYABLE MOUNTAINEERING HOLIDAY. A party consisting of Messrs Alex. Morgan, Bert Spencer and Harold Hook, of Shannon, and Elsdon Clark, of Levin, have just returned from a vacation of strenuous mountaineering. A member of the party has kindly supplied us with an interesting account of the trip. ON THE TRAIL. “We left Levin on Sunday, December 25, by the Auckland express for Waimarino,” said our informant, “arriving there at 6.15 on Monday morning. After making necessary arrangements for the conveyance of our bulk foodstuffs and clothing to Ketetahi (which was our objective), we returned to Ohakune the same day, and after partaking of a hearty lunch, we hit the trail for the Ohakune hut, which was 15 miles distant; resting on 1 lie slopes of Ruapehu at an altitude of about 4000 ft. Each member carried a pack weighing 401 b, which consisted of food and clothing to last us f or six days, till we reached Ketetahi. The Ohakune. hut was reached at 6.30 p.m„. and arrangements made for supper and a comfortable night’s rest. Thursday morning broke fresh and brilliant, so we decided to climb Ruapehu that day( instead of waiting till Wednesday, as was our intention). We left the liut at 6 a.m., and were joined by another party of four from Wellington. When within about 700 feet of the summit we all decided to have a snack,' as some of the party were starting to knock up. We all felt much better after the rest, and our party gained the summit in great form, the Wellington parly having to turn hack when within about 300 ft of the top, on account of not having the proper equipment. A most beautiful view was obtained from the summit, the surrounding country and coastlines, the crater lake, and Mt. Egrhont, the base of which was wrapped in a blanket of clouds, being features of the survey. After spending about an hour on the top, we started our descent. to the Waihohonu hut, which lies on the north-eastern side of Ruapehu. We were unlucky in not picking up the trail to the hut before dark, so accordingly, had to spend a night in the tussock. We were all too “done in’’ to light a .fire or to eat, y and three of us failed to obtain any sleep on. account of the well-developed snore of the other member of the party. That was the third night running that three of us had not had a wink of sleepl STRENUOUS TRAVELLING.

“We rose next morning (Wednesday) at daybreak, and in five minutes picked up the trail leading to the hut, which we reached at 5 a.m. We slept most, of the day, and at 5 p.m. we paid a visit to the Ohinepango Spring, which lies about a mile south of the hut. The following morning (Thursday) at 9.30, amid a steady downpour, of rain and a dense fog, we hit the trail for Ketetahi, which lies on- the north-western slopes of Tongariro. The rain ceased at about midday, so we decided to boil the billy. 1.30 p.m. found us in the bed of an old crater, ilie ascent oujt of which Was very strenuous, as we discovered later that we had taken the wrong trail.' It was too late in the day to retrace our steps, so we decided to travel northeast and try to pick up the old horse trail, which also leads to Ketetahi, but failed to find it on account of the fog. We then travelled due east, making for the old Waiouru-Tokaanu mail route. At about 4 o’clock the fog lifted and we sighted Lake Koto Aira, about 10 miles distant. WT altered our course to- north with the intention of striking Poutu Pa, which lies on the shores of the latter. We found the ‘going’ very strenuous, as we encountered a number of deep ravines and dense bush. At 6.30 p.m. we found ourselves in the bed of a deep ravine, witti cliffs on either side towering up for about -iOOlt; so, as we were not through, and some of the party were getting argumentative (which is a certain sign of knocking up) we decided to camp for the night. NATIVE HOSPITALITY. “We had a very hard climb out of the. ravine next morning, and two hours were spent on the top looking for a running spur down to the shores of the lake. The rain and fog still accompanied us, and at about 9.30 that morning (Friday) we arrived at .the pa. The natives treated us most hospitably. We were given the free use of a whare ,and within an hour were presented with at kit of potatoes, a large scone loaf, and half a sheep. No time .was lost in preparing the gifts for dinner, and at 12,30 p.m. we all sat down to a regular feed. Most of the afternoon was spent in drying our clothes, and having a very much needed ‘clean up.’ AT KETETAHI.. “Saturday morning we set out for our objective (Ketetahi), which was 17 miles distant, AT 12.30 p.m. we passed through Otukau Pa, and were given a light lunch by the natives. We readied Ketetahi at 4.30 that af-

ternoon, very tired and wet. One of ther party did the whole 17 miles from Poutu Pa to Ketetahi blowhole in his bare feet, his hoots having refused to carry him any further. “We were all very disappointed in the Ketetahi hut, there being no fireplace attached, and no firewood within a-quarter of a mile radius. NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS. “At about- 10.30 that evening as we were turning into bunk we realised that it was New Year’s Eve, so under the eonduetorship of “the doctor” we indulged in a suitable musical greeting to the New Year. “Sunday (New Year’s Day) we were unable to leawe the hut on account of the rain, so at 11 a.m. “the Professor” took the service; and the day was spent quietly. THE WONDERFUL BLOWHOLE. “Monday, the 2nd, found the weather a hit blighter, so we set out for the Blowhole, which is about a mile Jrom the hut. The sight we witnessed Was compensation enough for the little discopafort in the hut. Rotorua with all its wonders has nothing to be compared with the- awe-inspiring Ketetahi Blowhole." We also enjoyed the dips in the sulphur streams, which are greatly beneficial to those suffering from rheumatism, : etc. • We believe that one of our party was totally cured of a serious attack at Ketetahi. ' - • ON THE HOMEWARD TRACK. “Tuesday morning, two of the party, Messrs Hook and Clark, decided to return to civilisation, so went io Wanganui to witness the boat race. Messrs'. Morgan and Spencer stayed at Ketetahi till Thursday, when they returned to Waimarino, and were joined at Marion Junction by the other members, all the party arriving home on Friday, 6th inst.