MOUNTAINEERS AT REUNION DINNER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30497, 20 July 1964, Page 12

MOUNTAINEERS AT REUNION DINNER

New Zealand’s mountain men gathered in Christchurch on Saturday night at the Canterbury Mountaineering Club’s reunion dinner. Peaks climbed 30 years ago and more were climbed again and peaks yet to be conquered were discussed in detail and successfully dealt with. John Pascoe, author of eight books on New Zealand mountains and a veteran climber, said the gathering had given him tremendous stimulus in meeting old friends. “When -’the club was formed in the depression days none of us were well paid but on the mountains there was a common meeting ground for all types. There were tried techniques—many of which are still in use today,” said Mr Pascoe.

“All of the early mountaineers had an infinite capacity to laugh at themselves in uncomfortable situations," said Mr Pascoe. Father R.' O’Gorman of Rangiora, a pioneer of West Coast climbing spoke of the three passes Whitcombe, Browning, and Hannan. Norman Hardie, conquerer of Kangchenjunga in 1955, said he was happy that wives had also been invited. Harry Ayres said he was there to • meet old .friends, some of whom he had not seen for many years. Lyn Crawford, veteran of two- Andean trips and soon to leave for the Himalayas, said Harry Ayres was New Zealand’s first great climber. Sir Edmund Hillary and Lady Hillary were also present.

Sir Edmund Hillary, a club member of long standing, said his next expedition to the Himalayas included three other club members

apart from Lyn Crawford. They are Peter Farrell, Bryan Hearfield and Don Mackaye. The latter was not at the dinner as he is at present in the Andes. The expedition would build three schools, two bridges and an airfield besides making an attempt on the 21,700 ft unclimbed Tamserku, said Sir Edmund Hillary.