Adequacy of Clothing for Alpine Climbing

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7143, 14 February 1930, Page 9

Adequacy of Clothing for Alpine Climbing

COMMENT ON RECENT TRAGEDY. “It came as a great shock, but perhaps particularly so to those members of the club who had , just returned from the Hermitage, to read of the tragic loss of life on tho Tasman Gracier,” states a recent bulletin issued by the Mount Egmont Alpine Club. “We wish to extend to the relatives of tho four young ladies and of their guide the club’s deepest sympathy.

“At the same time we feel that it is in the interests of the club members that the opportunity should not be lost of stressing the fact that such an accident would have been next to impossible had the party been properly equipped. Undoubtedly the storm was a particularly severe one, but severe storms must be expected and provided against when' travelling in mountain areas. Lives have been lost, on Egrnont in the same way, and yet the lesson' is very slowly learnt, and one far too often sees people on the mountain in clothing that would provide very little protection from bad weather. As has been pointed out frequently in the club's bulletins,’it is essential that all climbers carry a rucsac with car.digans, gloves, scarf, bala-

clava, etc., and a windproof and rainproof coat. ■’ : “This latter is of great importance, as woollen' clothing ' 'does not'provide sufficient protection from the wind and is soon wet through if the .weather is bad. No matter how the day is when a start is made on the climb, a coat made of Japara or some other material should always be carried; and, after all, the person who cannot carry a rucsac with food and extra clothing has no business to be climbing the mountain. ’ It has certainly been pleasing to note the precautions taken by. the majority. of the club members .in these ■matters, and those who made the Cook trip were congratulated on the . completeness of their outfits. ’lt is certain, that, if, their example yzere. morb freely followed, accidents such as the one that has just occurred would be jinheaid of." .