THE PRESS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1982. Rescues, and a tragedy

Press, 30 November 1982, Page 20

THE PRESS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1982. Rescues, and a tragedy

The patience and courage of the two climbers stranded on Mount Cook, and of the rescuers who had to wait for days, has been rewarded. The most serious casualty after two weeks' of atrocious weather appears to be an R.N.Z.A.F. Iroquois helicopter which crashed near the summit on Sun J "v evening. Grea.. ■’redit must go to the Chief Ranger at Mount Cook, Mr H. A. Youngman, who organised the rescue and kept morale high through days of waiting for a break in the weather. The rescue itself was a team effort. Special credit has been earned by Mr Don Bogie, the mountaineer who was lowered from a helicopter to the stranded men, and the helicopter pilots — especially Mr Ron Small — who braved poor light and rough conditions as soon as any approach to the summit was possible. The climbers themselves, Philip Doole and Mark Inglis, were caught by a sudden change in the weather in what was expected to be a fairly routine climb. Neither they not their rescuers could have imagined that the snow cave they built on November 15 would be “home” for two weeks. When rescued they were reported to be “in Al spirits and totally in control of the situation.” They have given a striking demonstration that calm good sense, and a knowledge of mountaincraft, can save lives, even in appalling conditions.

The frustrated rescue attempts, and the success yesterday, have gripped the attention of the community for several days. Other incidents in the mountains in

that time should not be overlooked. Three trampers in South Westland, one of them injured, also owed their survival last week to. common sense and a snow cave when rough conditions destroyed their tent; One of the party was eventually able to go for help and the injured man was brought out by helicopter. Yet tragedy can still strike too swiftly in the mountains for any evasive action or rescue to be possible. A young hut warden in the Fiordland National Park was killed by an avalanche on Saturday while going to the assistance of a Walker who was reported to be suffering from exposure on the Milford Track. A companion walking a few moments ahead of the dead man survived and, indeed, did not know of the tragedy until his companion became overdue. Against such disastrous misfortune, and a sudden and unexpected onslaught, virtually no protection is possible. New Zealanders are fortunate in the opportunities for recreation and high endeavour offered by mountains and bush. Only foolhardy people do not recognise the risks involved, and take appropriate steps to reduce them. The mountains generally pay a rich reward to those who venture there and if all hazards could be eliminated there would be less point in venturing. The escape in South Westland, the courageous rescue on Mount Cook, and the swift tragedy in Fiordland, all within a few days, are reminders of the kinds of price that sometimes have to be paid. The challenges of the mountains are still worth confronting.