THE PERILS OF THE PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15262, 28 March 1913, Page 8

THE PERILS OF THE PARTY.

HARDSHIPS OF THE RETURN.

: The sufferings of the returned members | of the party lost on Mount Ruapehu have by no means ended yet- The young man Shubert, who travelled in company with Waters, is still unable to walk, his feet and legs being very swollen, the slightest movement causing pain. When spoken to yesterday he expressed himself very emphatically on the question of mountaineering. -He said it was his first and last attempt. His story of the terrible suffering of the party went over the same ground a« that 1 given to a Herat.p representative fe* Water*, .

The intense cold on the .glaciers -was indescribable, and quite inconceivable to those who had not experienced a . night in the open at an altitude of' between 6000 ft and 7000 ft. Thoir clothing was frozen and their hands aid feet numbed. The party, clad in summer clothing, was j quite unprepared for such an experience. Young Shubert said that Mdlle. Coche was keen on making an early start on. Monday, so they set out to climb to the top of the ridge before daylight., Mdlle. Coche and Bingham soon decided to remain behind, the lady particularly requesting them to go on. As it was/ no use all staying together Shubert and Waters decided to go on for assistance, and left nearly all their matches with Bingham, telling him to get a fire going, for this would serve a double purpose, to keep them warm and act as a guide for a party to find them on their return.

The story of the terrible journey made by the companions to the railway line hae been told by Waters, and • was reiterated by Shubert, who spoke of the hardships of veiling over icefields in 'a blizzard, the laborious battling through the dense undergrowth of supplejacks and "lawyers" in the bush, and tie dangerous wading of icy-cold streams, on the beds of which were slippery boulders. He also told again of the welcome given them at Waimarino railway station, for which they were both very grateful. They were weary, footsore, and hungry when thev reached civilisation again-