ALPINE CLIMBERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1933, Page 5

ALPINE CLIMBERS

MORE SUPERVISION URGED

CORONER DELAYS VERDICT

[PEP. press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 14. In order to prepare and bring dow a rider in addition to his verdict, C.oi ner E. D. Mosley, who to-day conduced an inquest into the death of San uel Edgar Russell, the Training Co lege student who perished in a snoslide at Avalanche Peake. Arthur' Pass, on July 30, adjourned the ir quiry, after hearing evidence.

“This is a matter of some importance from the public point of view, said the Coroner, “and I think, although it is perfectly evident what was the cause of death, that is my duty to go into the evidence very carefully, and to bring in a rider which may have the effect of causing the public to bo a little more careful.’’ Evidence was given by John Dobrie Pascoe. Wm. Andrew Douglas Brough and Andrew Anderson, all experienced climbers and members of the party on July 30. All stated that they had made several previous ascents of Ava-

’ lanche Peak, and all considered it. easy [ to climb. The witnesses agreed ii was 1 desirable to have some man in charge of a climbing party, but on this day ■ the party consisted of members of three clubs and some outside excursionists. No one was definitely in charge. When the climbers began to ascend, the party consisted of about 40 members. It was reduced gradually until at the end of the bush line, when the climbers left their packs and donned, warm clothing, because of the stormy conditions, the party was greatly reduced. Evidence was that the party was counted, and numbered IS when the bush line was left, but at. this point Anderson joined the party. The snow slide involved all of them. All were carried down distances up to 150 yards. Some lost their equipment. After hurried assistance was given to the climbers who were buried, some shoulder deep in the snow, the climbers searched for lost ice axes and other equipment. Meanwhile the party was again counted, and it numbered IS. The disappearance of Russell was not discovered until the party were returning to Christchurch on the train. Alf Brustad, formerly guide at Mt. Cook, who was in charge of the party which found the body, said the place at which the slide occurred was dangerous. In reply to the Coroner he said that there should be a limit to the number in each party climbing, and a big party should be split up into several small groups, each in charge of an experienced leader. He said that the snow conditions in the New Zealand mountains were often dangerous in stormy weather, and climbing parties should, whenever possible make their ascents on ridges. Thus they would avoid the risks of snow slides, which were frequent in the Spring.