Ngauruhoe Volcano, North Island, New Zealand

The classic, conical shape of Mount Ngauruhoe Volcano (2,291MSL) peaks through heavy cloud as viewed from the slopes of 2,797MSL Mount Ruapehu (Tahurangi peak) on the North Island of New Zealand. It was quite windy on the solo ascent up Ruapehu, itself an active volcano, with snow dominating the last 600 meters to the summit. I left just as the sun was setting, and finished the descent in pouring rain! My gortex jacket was soaked right through, however the "Blackjack's" I drank at the nearby backpacker hotel... warmed me right up! Photographed on Fuji Velvia 50 film with a Nikon F100, 35-70mm f/2.8D zoom lens, February 2001. Photo © 2001 Frederic Hore, RemarkableImages.ca