UNWISE CLIMBERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23437, 29 August 1939, Page 8

UNWISE CLIMBERS

MAROONED ON EGMONT ILL-EQUIPPED PARTY RESCUE BY CLUB MEMBERS [Br TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] • NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday After being marooned on the slippery ice of the Lizard slope, (000 ft. up the northern slopes of Mount Egmont, four ill-equipped climbers were led hack to safety by Taranaki Alpine Club members. The four climbers, unroped and without ice axes, were attempting to climb to the summit of the mountain, when, about 1200 ft. short of their goal, they found themselves in a precarious position, unable to move up or down. A party of Taranaki Alpine Club members making their descent after climbing to the summit found the party marooned. After extricating them" from their precarious position, the club members refused to allow the climbers to ascend any further and led them down to safer slopes. The North Egmont Hostel authorities had made it plain enough that casual visitors should not attempt climbs under winter conditions unless accompanied by experienced climbers, said Sir. H. Wood, manager of the hostel. In spite of that, the four concerned had jeopardised their safety. "As much as we try to control inexperienced and ill-equipped climbers, wo still have trouble in impressing visitors with the danger of carelessness in this respect,'" added Mr. Wood.