New Zealand. December
1991
5 members
and 2 others led by Robin (Vicar of Leeds) Rainbow, set off on December, 28th for the first of
Rainbow's 3 volcanoes, Tongariro, only to be forced back after a few hours by
the foulest conditions since Galloway 88 – low temperatures, horizontal rain,
no visibility and, sadly, some of us with woefully inadequate clothing and
equipment. Needless to say, New
Zealand's famous trio of snow-capped North Island active volcanoes were not on
view. However, Verena and Mike Petzold
returned to the area 2 weeks later and on a near-perfect day, climbed Ngauruhoe,
(the second highest and cone-shaped one).
There was
snow at the top and the
crater was smoking ominously from 3 vents.
The last
major eruptions were 1955 and 1974, so
we didn't hang around!
©
WDYFO, 2014