MOUNTAIN SAFETY

Press, 6 May 1981, Page 27

MOUNTAIN SAFETY

Where to go for mountaineering, tramping, ski-ing and deer stalking

Besides mountaineering. New Zealand’s highlands and ranges also provide ideal areas for tramping, ski-ing and deer stalking: The mountain chain of the Southern Alps from the Spencers to Fiordland gives a wide range of mountaineering. Most of the climbing regions are in national parks where each park is administered by park rangers who can advise on climbing and weather conditions. Climbing in the Mount Cook region, where most of the high peaks are situated, is primarily on snow and ice. Many of these routes are long and difficult and with the changeable nature of the weather, parties must be well equipped and experienced, with a wide knowledge of snow and ice techniques. The Mount Cook region has a number of huts which are heavily used during De- ( cember and January. Ski- i equipped planes can sometimes provide access to these ' huts but in general it is probably not advisable for overseas visitors to fly in since the two or three days necessary to reach the highest huts on foot mean that the terrain is not known in case the weather deteriorates; there is thus less likelihood of an accident when the climbers attempt to return to the valley. Many other areas of the Southern Alps, such as the Mount Aspiring region, offer * interesting climbing on expedient peaks. There are still, many remote valleys wherethere is scope for explora-i tion. £ Although many valleys | have huts, the climber must i be prepared to take a tent, '

build a snow cave or bivouac under a rock. Trans-alpine journeys are most interesting and offer a wide variation in difficulty. Crossing rivers can prove difficult or even impossible as rivers rise and fall rapidly during and after rain and are probably the greatest potential risk to the traveller (access is usually up a river valley). Although the climbing season is from November to April, more and more winter ’ climbing is being enjoyed and each winter sees new , routes being attempted. ■ The North Island moun- : tains offer s.now and ice | climbing mainly in the win- | ter months as, in the warmer . climate, the snowline recedes j to a higher level, leaving rock. r On the whole. New Zeaj land rock is friable, and J there are few good solid rock ♦climbs except in the Darran | Mountain ranges in FiordHand National Park, where 'the firm granite mountains .provide some of New Zealand's finest rock climbs with reasonable access. I Tramping • Tramping in New Zealand can vary from eas'y walking on. well-beaten tracks to ambitious and sometimes arduous? expeditions through rugged terrain. Most tramp in one of the national parks or forest parks where there are welldefined routes through scenic areas of native bush and tussock country. Aj few commercial enterprises run safaris, with food provided and cooked by the guide, but more commonly, the\ tramper must be prepared to be self-reliant and provide his own needs — food„ equipment and clothing — for the whole trip. A tent is advisable although there are a) limited number of huts availtable. Weather in the mountains is vei»y changeable — always treat the weather and rivers with inspect. For the more experienced trampqr, many worthwhile “pass-htoppipg” trips may be done wjithin the more mountainous- national parks and also in other mountain areas. New ' Zealand tramping is often stleep; ridges often rise to above the bushline of 900 m to* 1200 m, so that ambitious crossings require a high standard of bushcraft, navigation lay compass, ability to cope w#h the bad weather, and physical fitness. The h popular walking tracks "(Heaphy, . Milford, Routebuim, etc.), are heavily used during holiday periods. A visit during a less crowded time of Che year is usually more regarding. At peak. periods, i. huts are over-.

crowded, making it wise to carry a tent at this time. Ski-ing Two of the national parks of the South Island also contain popular ski-fields — Temple Basin at Arthur's Pass, and the Ball and Tasman Glaciers of Mount Cook. The major commerciallyoperated ski-fields in the South Island are at Coronet Peak, Queenstown, and Mount Hutt, Methven. In these areas, tourist accommodation is available nearby. There are other com-mercially-operated ski-fields of lesser extent with limited available adjacent accommodation. Many ski-fields in various South Island areas have been established by organised ski clubs which operate lodgetype accommodation and run lift facilities for their members. Day visitors are generally welcome to use the facilities at cost. The Craigieburn Forest Park, west of Christchurch, contains several such areas. The lift . facilities range from rope tows on the lesser ski-fields to more sophisticated pomas, T-bars and chair-lifts at the major resorts. Ski equipment is available for hire at sports stores in the major urban centres or on the ski-fields at the major resorts. The alpine mountain region of the South island provides scope for ski touring and ski mountaineering of the highest order. However, a sound knowledge of mountaincraft as well as ski-ing is essential. In the North Island, the established ski-fields are confined to the two major national parks — Egmont and Tongariro (Ruapehu). While many ski clubs operate lodges within the parks for their members, adjacent tourist accommodation is also available by prior arrangement. Deer stalking Deer stalking is the most popular form of hunting in New Zealand, with seven species well established. The red deer is the most numerous and wide-ranging, being interspersed throughout forest areas and marginal farmlands on both islands. Fallow' deer are also established on both islands. White-tail deer are found in restricted areas of the South island, with the largest herd existing in the south on Stewart Island. Wapiti are the only deer restricted to seasonal hunting. These are located in the lower part of the South Island, in Fiordland National Park. Prospective hunters are required to apply for blocks and, if necessary, take part

in ballots for the right to hunt in the one. trophy season, during April, each year. , , . Sika, sambur and rusa are deer species found only in the North Island. Sika is the most numerous of these. The chamois and Himalayan thar are two highlyprized game animals which inhabit tussock country of the Southern Alps above 915 m. Both animals offer excellent stalking and outstanding trophies to the hunter who is prepared to climb high and work hard. Wild goats and pigs, as well as small game in the form of wallabies, hares and rabbits, are found on both islands. Pistols and fully-automatic firearms are illegal. Calibres (such as .303, .270 and 30.06) are adequate for general shooting. (Information supplied by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.)