N.Z. ROCK CLIMBS TO BE GRADED

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31981, 7 May 1969, Page 8

N.Z. ROCK CLIMBS TO BE GRADED

The grading of rock climbs In New Zealand with a numerical system has been adopted by the New Zealand Alpine Club, the club president, Mr A. R. Craigie, of Otago, says in his report to be presented to the annual meeting on May 9. The proposal to grade climbing routes has been linked with a proposal that Hie club should approve a series of guide books to the Mount Cook region, says Mr Craigie. A sub-committee was set up to investigate the grading of routes. Members with overseas experience were generally against grading mixed routes of snow, ice and rock, and it was finally agreed that mixed routes could not be graded, but a standard system might be applied to rock climbs.

The proposal to issue the guide books has been postponed in the meantime, says Mr Craigie.

A fine climbing season and exceptional snow conditions enabled many parties to venture further afield and under-

I take a wide variety of ascents under favourable conditions, Mr Craigie says. Mr Craigie says it was not a season where parties were forced to retreat to base huts, "there to spend valuable days pounding uncooperative barometers and scowling at the occasional views of the mountains through the storm.”

The good weather also contributed towards a season almost entirely free from accident and marred by only one fatality.