EGMONT CLIMBED IN GALE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 6

EGMONT CLIMBED IN GALE

ASCENT BY SIIR JOHN HANHAM BLIZZARD BLOWING IN CRATERSNOW TO THE MOUNTAIN'S BASE. An ascent of Mt. Egmont by an unusual route, under wild winter conditions, was made yesterday morning by Sir John Hanhani, Aide-de-camp to the Governor-General, accompailicd by Mr. Rigby Allan, New Plymouth, and Chief Guide R. W. Larsen. A blizzard was encountered in the crater. After heavy falls every day this week Mt. Egmont whs covered yesterday in a deep mantle of snow which extended two and a half miles down the track. Around the hostel at North Egmont the snow* was three feet deep, while in the drifts it lay to a depth of four feet. It was under these conditions that the party of three set off from North Egmont at 7.30 yesterday morning. The snow was very soft but was suitable for climbing all the way to the top. On the upward climb the view was not obscured very much with clouds and a fine view was obtained of Ruapehu and the central peaks, which were completely swathed in snow. At the 7000 feet level the party moved to the east instead of following the usual route across the Lizard. The result was that they arrived at the summit by the Stratford route close to the east peak. In the crater a blizzard was blowing, and it was impossible to see to the other side ow-ing to the fury of the driving sleet and snow. The force of the south-west wind was so great that the climbers could not stand up, and no time was lost in the crater. The summit was reached at 11.35 a.m. and a return was made immediately, . the party arriving at the hostel at 1.30 p.m. Sir John Hanham arrived at North Egmont by car from Wellington yesterday and it is hi J intention to proceed to the central mountains to-day. Yesterday’s ascent of Mt. Egmont was his first, although last year he went as far as Drinking Rock.