MOUNTAINEER INJURED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 225, 3 September 1936, Page 3

MOUNTAINEER INJURED

SKI-ING AT CHATEAU

Brought Down By Sledge

Party.

CONDITION NOT SERIOUS

Association —Copyright.

The Chateau, September 2

A scene reminiscent of an Antarctic sledge party was witnessed on Ruapehu to-day when a ski-ier who had been injured near the Ruapehu Ski Club"s Glacier Hut at 60C0 feet, was taken down the mountain by siedge under blizzard conditions.

While ski-ing on the slopes near the hut early last evening Mr. S. H. Biss,

of Huapai, a member of a party staying there, had ; serious forward fall, severly twisting both knees and ankles. He was temporarily unconscious but was seen within a short time by another member of the party and was assisted to the hut, where he was given first-aid treatment. This morning two of the party descended to Salt Hut, Scoria Flat, for a sledge. They left a message on the door requesting a car to be sent as far as possible up the mountain. When guides arrived and unlocked the hut they telephoned a message to The Chateau, thus demonstrating the value of the newly-constructed line in emergencies. With ropes attached front and behind the sledge, the difficult descent began about midday. Very heavy snow was falling and a high wind made conditions bitterly cold. Although Mr. Biss was well wrapped up the journey was a coid and trying one for him, especially in his injured state, but he remained cheerful throughout. With polar sledging cries the sledge team made light of the task and was met at Scoria Flat by a party which had come up from The Chateau.

Mr. Biss was transferred to a car at the end of the motor road. His condition is not serious.