TAUPO CLIMBERS VIEW VOLCANO AT CLOSE QUARTERS

Taupo Times, Volume V, Issue 207, 20 January 1956, Page 1

TAUPO CLIMBERS VIEW VOLCANO AT CLOSE QUARTERS

After being obscured from view at Taupo by cloud for some considerable time, Ngauruhoe volcano became visible again on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 10 and 11. On the Tuesday a column of white steam rose to about a thousand feet above the summit from the righthand side of the cone. During the Wednesday massive steam columns rose to two thousand feet, and towards dark were rising higher still. On Thursday morning visibility was good but little activity was visible from Taupo. On Friday the mountain was again hidden to Taupo viewers by cloud, but reports from the Chateau Tongariro stated that ash was being ernitted and red-hot rocks ejected from the crater on to the outer slopes. On Saturday morning last the mountain was visited by Messrs Richard Tomkies, of Taupo, and Colin Murphy, of Auckland, who managed to drive in a small car right to the Mangatepopo Hut, at the western foot of the volcano, after being stuck a number of times. They report that the track is very rough and did not recommend its use by car drivers. From the Hut they ascended the cone to a point about two-thirds of the way to the summit, on the northern side of the 1949 lava flow. Hot rocks were being thrown constantly from the crater of the spatter cone, to an accompaniment of explosions and frequent rumblings. From a vaniage point on an old lava flow the two climbers watched the activity . for about half to ' threequarters of an hour. At no great distance south of them ejected rocks were frequently rolling down the slopes of the volcano, reaching points far below. Watching the crater rim above they saw rnany lava blocks hurled out, causing showers of dust to rise as they struck the outer slope, and as these rolled down the mountain side they emitted a "sizzling" sound. One large block which hurtled from the crater flew past the watchers, at a distance of 40 or 50 yards, with what was described as a screaming sound. That the volcano's angry mood rnade retreat advisable was obvious^ and the two climbers left their observation post, keeping their faces carefully toward the crater during the earlier part of their descent in order to be able to see any rocks that might hurtle in their direction. Wihile they were observing the activity it was noted that whenever the wind, which was northeriy, slackened, waves of hot air could be felt from the crater above them.