EASIER MOUNTAINEERING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 816, 9 November 1929, Page 6

EASIER MOUNTAINEERING

ROADS FOR NATIONAL PARK A progressive scheme for the internal reading of Tongariro National Park has been inaugurated. From the Chateau, roads will lead to all parts of tlie huge area, bringing the mountain peaks within easy walking distance and enabling motor trips to be run to points of interest below the snow line. Surveying, clearing and levelling are under way for the first two roads. When the scheme is completed, the numerous walking tracks of this area will be interlinked by well-metalled roads suitable for cars.

A survey party now in camp behind the Chateau is taking out trial grades for a three-mile road to the ski-ing grounds of Scoria Flat, about 3,000 ft below tlie top of Ruapehu. This road will traverse wild country, following the present track in many parts. A second road more than eight miles long will skirt Tama Lakes and terminate at Mangatepopo huts, a few thousand feet from the top of Ngauruhoe. Much of this route has already been surveyed. About 16 or 20 unemployed men have gone into camp about a mile from the Chateau, and have levelled and cleared the first mile or two of this road in the direction of the well-known Taranaki Falls. As soon as the necessary surveys are concluded to Scoria Flat, it is intended to concentrate on that route and complete it first. About 70 men will be employed. These roads will not be completed for some time, owing to the wildness of the country, and the number of bridges * that will have to be flung across numerous mountain streams.

In connection with this projected opening-up of National Park, it is worthy of note that Mr. T. A. Blyth, who has now climbed Ruapehu 101 times, has handed in a cheque for £SO to help build a suitable hut on Scoria Flat.