330 Transactions. — Geology. 



cave roof and sides hung innumerable long blue icicles and 

 sharp projections of ice. Its depth appeared to be many 

 hundreds of feet, extending probably to the bottom of the valley. 

 To this crevasse Dunnage was rapidly sliding, and there 

 seemed but small chance of his recovering himself. He was 

 sliding with his back to the snow, and his weight started the 

 dry snow, which accelerated his speed ; but he had fortunately 

 stuck to his alpenstock, which, getting in front of him, ploughed 

 into the ice, so that eventually he was able to swing himself 

 clear of the sliding snow ; but none too soon, for with a few 

 feet more he would have dashed into the icy chasm below. 

 The distance he slid was about 200 feet. 



After a brief rest, the ascent was continued, but with greater 

 care ; and without further mishap we reached the summit of 

 Parataetaitonga, which was covered with snow to a great depth, 

 giving a fine rounded outline to the peak. 



The outlook from Kuapehu on a clear day must be very 

 extended ; but, unfortunately, the whole country round was tilled 

 with black smoke from the numerous large bush fires which 

 were then raging on the south side of the forest belt. The 

 smoke did not rise higher than 6,500 feet, and, above this, all 

 was sunshine and brightness, the only object standmg out of the 

 dark sea being the white shining peak of Mount Egmont, 80 

 miles to the westward. 



Immediately below us lay the great crater of Kuapehu, 

 encircled by high peaks from 600 to 800 feet high. The crater 

 proper, or what was probably the former vent, is situated not in 

 the centre of the basin, but appears to be nearer to Parataetai- 

 tonga than the northern or western peaks. The vent, as far as 

 could be judged fi-om our high position, is probably ten chains 

 across. At this time it was occupied by a great sheet of ice, of a 

 bluish colour, and there was no appearance of steam or water. 



On its south-east side the great crater-basin, which is 

 perhaps a mile across, is partially broken down, and connects 

 with an immense snow-field, at the foot of which, at 6,000 feet, 

 the Wangaehu as a considerable stream is first seen. The 

 waters of this river, when they emerge from their ice-bound 

 source, have a yellowish milky colour, and emit a strong 

 sulphurous smell. 



As there was little to be gained by a prolonged stay on the 

 top, we hastily erected a trig, signal, which consisted of a stout 

 bu'ch sapling, driven into the snow several feet, and a ball of 

 black calico. Our names, with the date of ascent, were placed 

 in a sealed bottle, and left in a cairn of stones, on a rock-ledge 

 about a chain to the north of the summit, and about 15 feet 

 lower. 



We now began the descent. By this time the sun's rays 

 had left the south-east slopes, and a hard crust of frozen snow 



