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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 1 (April 2, 1934.)

Our Mountains, Hot and Cold

Our Mountains, Hot and Cold.

One of the attractive things about our volcanic peaks in the Tongariro National Park is the knowledge that changes are always possible there, that dramatic happenings may come along at any moment. That feeling should not make people nervous; on the contrary, such a place as Ngauruhoe crater should be regarded as a great safety yent, and a periodical little blowout or blow-off is in the nature of relief to a volcano's pent-up inner self. A good head of steam issuing from the great crater or from such a hot shop as Ketetahi is really something to welcome.

The Red Crater, on Tongariro Mountain, has had trouble lately with its pipes, and according to a report from a party of climbers, has coughed out a mass of rocky obstruction, and has altered its contour and surroundings somewhat in the process. The Tongariro craters have always seemed to “Tangiwai” the most interesting spots in the National Park region. Most of them are dead, but the still steaming orifices are always places to watch for reminders of the fact that, in the words of the sailors' chantey, “There's fire down below.”

In the other mountainous direction, our Southern Alps, it was pleasing indeed to read Dr. Walter Williams recent eulogy of Aorangi's majesty and beauty. Dr. Williams, of Missouri, President of the World's Press Congress, is a much-travelled man, and he places our Mt. Cook region ahead of Switzerland, the Andes and the American Rockies for mountain glory. We should think all the more of Aorangi for that compliment from a competent authority. Surely we may describe it now as the Peerless Peak of Alpland.