ALPINE NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 April 1935, Page 14

ALPINE NOTES

Mount Egmont Club

(By “Alpenstock.’)

Easter 1935 has now taken its place in the pages of history. To some it has been only a break in the weekly routine, while to others it will be a memory to be recalled with the passing of time, a date which some of us will mark in large figures in our own personal histories. To the mountaineers and trampers every climb ami 11 -p is an event which is worthy of memory and those "who answered the, call of the hills and -mountains this Easter will cherish memories of climbs accomplished and tramps made, will have learnt more of Nature in her varying moods and will have met old acquaintances on a common ground and made new friends.

At Dawson Falls this Easter there were parties from the Paua Tramping Club (Wellington) and the Auckland Alpine Sports Club, while a visit ivas made also by members of the Tararua Tramping; Club who stopped at North Egmont House. All available accommodation was used and once again there were several tents erected around the old house, while a number of hardy people were to be found sleeping on the floors of the various huts.

On* Saturday a party of 54, comprising members of the visiting clubs, made the ascent of the mountain, climbing by way of the East Bidge and returning down the North Egmont side and around the mountain, by way of the tManganui Hut. * * * * *

A party of five members of the Auckland Alpine Sports Club made a trip around to the Kahui Hut, stopping there Sunday night and returning to Dawson Palls on Monday via the Syme Hut, unfavourable weather conditions preventing the return trip over the summit.

Interest in the sport of skiing shown by some of the Auckland visitors was evident by the sight of several pairs of skiis at Dawson Falls, and it is pleasing to record that two enthusiasts, Jim MeComish and David Eewis, after carrying their skiis to the summit early on Sunday morning, were able to enjoy about four hours on the soft snow on the North Egmont side of the crater. The keenness of those mentioned is deserving of reward and it is hoped that their names will bo mentioned when the winners of the various ski sports meetings for this year are decided. David Lewis will be remembered as the one who made the canoe trip from Wanganui to Auckland last January. This trip was fully reported on in the papers at the time and it is unnecessary to make any further comment. Dave was one of the keenest climbers on the mountain this Easter and he shows an originality which should help him to gain renown in the sport in which he has clioson to take an interest.

KAPTTNI GOUGE TEIP. On Friday Bod Syme led a party of 26 of the. members of the Paua Tramping Club up the Kapuni Gorge, climbing past Lot’s Wife to the Curtis Bidge and descending to the Stratford Plateau. The party then went as far as the Manganui Gorge before returning to Dawson Falls.

Ascents of the mountain from Dawson Falls on Friday last were made by our members, Andrew Snowdon and C. .Tones, and by Messrs Brown and Moody, of Auroa, the latter climbers descending, on the North Egmont side and returning round the mountain. 11. Snowdon and F. Bourke left Dawson Falls early in the morning of the same day, intending to do an extensive day’s climbing, but wore forced to abandon. the trip after meeting with unfavourable 'weather conditions on Fantham’s Peak. They report having reached the Syme Hut at 2.30 a.m., where they spent the rest of the morning. At 12.30 p.m. the trip to the summit was continued and a descent was made on the north side as far as the new hut which is being built by the Taranaki Alpine Club. From here a further ascent was made, the sunlmit being reached in time to see the sunset. On the return to the summit it was found that a cold wind had had the effect of freezing the snow in the crater and steps had to be, cut where a short time before it had been possible to glissade.- The return trip was made down the north side, to the Policeman and down via. the Manganui Hut, where ‘a party of the Stratford Mountain Club was spending the night. The return to Dawson Falls completed a verv'full day.

MANGANUI HUT TELEPHONE. Members of the Stratford Mountain Club have been re-erecting the telephone line from the Stratford House to the Manganui Hut. The project is an excellent one, but in view of the damage done to the line during past winters it would seem that the club members have to look forward to a. yearly working party to keep, the line in order.

It is understood that. ..the new lint on the north side will not be completed for about another month. Members of the Taranaki Alpine Club slept there during Easter, but as. no bunks have yet been installed and as the lining of the hut has not been completed, it proved very cold.

For the past two years Anzac Day has been the herald of winter, for on each of these occasions there lias been sufficient snojy on the ski track for

skiing.. There is.- an exceptionally small" Amount of snow ,on the mountain at the present .time, however, and there will have to.be a sudden change in the weather if- conditions are to be the same this year.

Among those who stopped at Svme Hut during Easter were Misses H. Carson, J. Downey, AT. D. Patterson and Miss Shepherd, who was a visitor from Thames, also (Messrs C. Dingle and B. Downey, besides a number of members of the clubs visiting the hostel and camp houses.

A call at Dawson Falls was made by a Mr Courtenay, a member of the Alpine Club of Great Britain. Mr Courtenay, who is staying at the North Egmont House, made a trip over the summit with Guide Bov Sole, descending to Dawson Falls and returning by the round track.

Jim Palmer, a. popular member of the club, and a vice-president, came from Hastings and called at Dawson Palls on Friday. Members of" the club were pleased to meet Jim again and will look forward to his next visit, which he says will be made shortly.