Ruapehu A.I.C., 1959

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RUAPEHU A.I.C., 1959 This is the account of a magnifi- of Tahurangi, and high above an cent weekend-an Alpine Instruction extensive snowfield. In the distance Course. Fine, but due to excellent was Blyth Hut, four miles and 4500 snow conditions, rather lacked that feet away. element of danger in which climbers revel. Harold took his crampons off and attained about 700 miles an hour in After the usual luxurious Friday a conventional glissade. This started night trip, the hut suddenly burst a general movement in .the direction into life. From amidst the skis, boots, of down. Here was a place to gladden goggles, wireless sets and chess the heart of any skier; nothing to hit boards emerged Harold Trask, Brian for miles. Hunt, Nick Jennings, Norman Grey, the mountain Don Jeffs and Dave Capper. Gradually the dropped behind, snow-poles were reached We left the strange little N.Z.-type and followed, the temperature dropalpine village about 8 a.m. with no- ped and darkness came. Near to the where to but up, and nowhere to hut there was a terrible patch of fall but DEO Gradual ascent in ideal deep, weakly-crusted snow. This was conditions brought us opposite the a most exhausting area of travel and Alpine Club Hut. Here was time for progress was slow. apeing in the snow and for photo- Blyth Hut was welcome graphy. Ngauruhoe was splendid and Norman immortalised himself indeed. aloof. How grand to be alive in this by dazzling white and blue world. making a superb fire. How nice it was to eat and talk and eat and sleep. We At this stage Nick was feeling noticed that elephants should be tethcrook, but he fought on like some éred outside and hastened to do so, 1959 Evans. Now the Whakapapa also crampons must not be worn in Glacier stretched out like a giant bed. Blissful oblivion for twelve road; all we had to do was walk hours. it. This we accomplished in a umal Sunday dawned fine eternity and entered the area of cold and cold. Egwinds near the crater lake. Standing mont was seen under glorious condiaround there among the wind-blown tions and seemed to be floating in razor blades is not a pastime to be air. A start was made about 11.15 recommended, so we moved on to a a.m. and under grand conditions we more sheltered place. Nick was feel- wound Ohakune. our way through the bush to ing worse. Surprising what a luke- only nine This was but a memorable like trip, warm drink of water and can from some miles, travel an extract do, plus verbal spurs from SyereE ideal film. On the way we saw the bridge on the new Ruapehu is a strange customer. It road tuilt by the people of Ohakune. has the vastness and peculiar attrac- A very solid and creditable construction of all great mountains. It has tion. There was a lengthy stop for stillness and cause for reflection, yet brewing and then on into the town with its mysterious crater lake it can of Ohakune. At 4 p.m. the truck turn on quite a show. What an attrac- rumbled into view and as we rode tion it would be in Switzerland send- away it was as if we were leaving ing up columns of steam! This we an old friend. passed in awe and after climbing DAVE CAPPER. over a small cornice we met Bill Drake, Brian Cropp, and Bruce Mil- * * * ler. They had had a good day and were returning after an unsuccessful ANOTHER Amendment attempt on Girdlestone. We bade The them farewell and disappeared into July, 1959, issue of the Journal the endless snows. is shown as Vol. 9, No. 2. Please amend to read Vol. No. 2. (Who We were now on the western side said "Sack the Mantotie