MOUNTAINEERING RISKS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 8, 10 July 1922, Page 6

MOUNTAINEERING RISKS

The inquest on the death of the late Mr. Kime resulted in recommendations by the Coroner that the local authority should sign-post the trans-Tararua track, erect a hut between Mount Hector and Mount Field, and put a foot-bridge over the Tauherenikau River. The order of importance would seem to be: hut, bridge, track-directions,, but it cannot be said that the bridge is less necessary than the hut, and it is to be hoped that, by the goodwill and co-operation of the Government and the " local authority" and the unpaid workers, real work will start as soon as the ' weather permits. It would seem that the Government proposes to put on the Estimates a £ for £ subsidy, up to £100, for hut, bridge, and track improvements; and as it has been announced that £50 is available from Mr. Kime's estate and £25 from the Girdlestone Memorial Fund,; the financial prospect appears to be good. Probably it has been good—so far as this purpose is concerned—at any time during the last several years, but public action is at all times liable to be attacked with a paralysis peculiar to itself, a paralysis so effective that even the individual donation of £100 for the purposes of a Hector hut failed to get anything done. Recent events, however, have produced a fairly deep impression, out of which, at last, action may arise.

On the subject of mountaineering and mountain tracks, some extreme views are held. On the one hand, it is argued that mountaineering and tramping are meant to be strenuous, wherefore conveniences are out of place ; on the other hand, some people would like to put a motor road over Alpha and Hector. There is, we think, a point of balance between the extremes. If the thing to be aimed at is mountaineering pure and simple, and the preservation of all Nature's disadvantages as well as her advantages, then why Construct any hut or tracks at all ? The more reasonable course, we think, is to construct arterial tracks (such as the trans-Tararua track) of such a standard of quality and accommodation that they may be travelled over in safety not only by the young, strong, and skilled, but also by. people who require easy tramping stages with sufficient shelter and track-guidance. There are many people who would like to go over the Tararua track, who would be benefited by it, and who deserve its benefits, but they will not go until the present degree of risk is reduced. We think that they are entitled to ask that their point of view be considered, and we think that improvements in the way oi huts, bridges, and track-directions should be extended., along the lines recommended by the Coroner, until tho' track oilers » safe tramp lot1 many, not..merely for v few.

The existence of arterial tracks will not prevent anyone from leaving them at will to enjdy the untrammelled mountain-side, and to take what risks he likes. The aim is not to abolish voluntary risks, but to reduce involuntary ones. Aa regards the latter, there is a public responsibility. The other risks belong to the individual himself.