ALPINE PERILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20968, 3 September 1931, Page 12

ALPINE PERILS.

Sir, —Mighfc I mako a suggestion that each person making a mountaineering excursion include in his equipment a small shrill whistle of the police variety, and in the event of his boing lost, the captain of epch band of searchers could carry a small alpine horn or other instrument of megaphone quality. In this way communication could be quickly established between the lost and the searchers.

Betty Bell,

Sir,—May 1 offer a suggestion toward eliminating some of the risks taken with mountain climbing in rough country. Erect small depots at distances apart according to the nature of the country, strong boxes on posttf, lined with felt and sheet galvanised iron. Contents:* Plasmon biscuits, block chocolate in hqrmetic-ally-sealed tins, bandages, etc. Also a plan of locality and a small pocket compass. Each depot to be numbered and marked with line of direction to the next depot or nearest path. The cost would be reasonable. An alternative, trained dogs. Mountaineer.

Sir, —Tho leading article in Wednesday's Herald, which urges so well the case for tho introduction of some control in mountaineering, overlooks one point. Tho members of the Ruapehu Ski Club and other mountaineers who have played so important a part in tho organisation and execution of the search are, I think, mostly men who have gained their experience without qualified leaders or guides. Most of them have had no opportunity of learning otherwise. If such restrictions as you suggest had been in force in the past it seems to bo doubtful if these men on whose courage, experience and skill so much has depended, would have been able to fit themselves for the task they have undertaken. As to the licensing of guides, everyone must agree that this is necessary. Mountaineering affords opportunities for the development of courage and self-reliance which are all too rare in modern civilisation. Any system of preventing amateurs climbing unless they hold officially recognised certificates is therefore most undesirable. Without regulations it should be possible to warn inexperienced parties. J. H. Rose.