ALPINE CLIMBING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 14, 17 January 1930, Page 4

ALPINE CLIMBING

IN SOUTHERN ALPS LOCAL MEN'S SUCCESS Two young Wellington mountaineers ■who have distinguished themselves in the Southern Alps this year are Mr. David Hall »nd Mr. Denis Young. During a month's visit tney were successful in making ascents of the Minarets (10,068 ft), De La Beche (9800 ft), the Hoehsteter Dome (9258 ft), Elie Da Beaumont (10,199 ft), and the Anzaes (8323 ft). In addition, Mr. Hall scaled.Mt. Hamilton (9915) and Mr. Young scaled The Footstool (9073 ft). With guides Hilgendorf and Kerr, an attempt was made also on Mt. Cook. However, it had to be abandoned within 800 feet of the top tea. account of the icy, condition of the Summit Bocks. ..As climbing in the European Alps has absorbed Mr. Hall's attention _ during the past four summers, the time he baa spent in our New Zealand mountains has aroused some interesting comments. The fact that he is a member of the Groupo Dcs Hautes Montaignes of the French Alpine Club is suMeient guarantee of the value of his remarks. PECULIAR CONDITIONS. "It is quite impossible to compare climbing in the Southern Alps' and climbing in the Alps of Europe," said Mr. Hall in reply to a question, ''as the amazing variation of snow and ice conditions from day to day in New Zealand mountains, and the differences in the weather, make foreign climbing standards completely inapplicable." Moreover, he explained, that most of the great alpine peaks were difficult tock climbs. The Southern Alps were notable rather for long and interesting snow and ice climbs, nearly_ all_ of an exacting standard. Book climbing could hardly bo undertaken af all, as the perversity of the climate kept the 'rocks covered with snow for most of tho summer. The bad weather, which had been general this summer, has been a serious obstacle to climbers. Mr. Hall said that the infrequency of perfectly fine days was the most tantalising feature of the Southern Alps. This so hampered climbing in the district that it was plainly very difficult for New Zealand guides to acquire adequate experience, and he considers that it would be worth while sending two of them to the Alps, where they would gain as much experience in a three months' season as in three years of local guiding. When asked what ho thought was needed to stimulate an interest in climbing comparable to that found in Switzerland, Mr. Hall said there- was pressing need for the formation of a strong amateur club, similar in organisation to the Swiss and French alpine clubs, able to maintain its own huts and encourage young climbers to discover the pleasures of guideless climbing. For the use of tho members of such a club a good guide-book was necessary, and a good map also waa needed. Although to one accustomed to Home conditions the gilt was taken off this country's climbing by the practice of reporting ascents in the newspapers, it was Mr. Hall's opinion that the Nev :)Zealanders certainly understood the glamour of climbing adventure.