RECORO ESTABLISHED

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1934, Page 6

RECORO ESTABLISHED

CLIMBERS TO MOUNTAIN TOP PARTY OF 60 ASCENDS NORTH SIDE. LARGE NUMBERS AT BOTH HOSTELS What is believed to be a record in mountain-climbing in Taranaki was established at North Mount Egmont yesterday when a party of more than 60 made the ascent from the hostel to the summit. A total of 56 members of the Tararua Tramping Club, Wellington, was in the party. The club members, who had travelled the night before from Wellington, on reaching the hostel at about 6 a.m. immediately breakfasted and began the journey to the top. Both North Egmont and Dawson Falls report record business. There are about 150 people at each place, the hostel and old house at North Egmont both being crowded out. At Dawson Falls there are many campers, while the Syme Hut on Fantham’s Peak is filled. Visitors’ comments were interesting, for the day was one of the best for some years. Not a breath of wind stirred, and visibility was perfect on the North Egmont side. On the Dawson Falls side a bank of clouds obscured the hostel, and it was not possible to view the towns of South Taranaki. But climbers had their reward when the summit was reached.

The number at Dawson Falls is the greatest since Syme Hut was opened five or six years ago. All accommodation resources at the hostel, annexe, cottages and camp house are strained to the utmost.

The presence of large parties from other parts of the North Island has accounted for the number on the mountain. An Auckland Tramp Club party atrrived early yesterday morning and was followed during the day by large parties from the Hutt Valley and Manawatu Tramping Club. In addition many members of the Mount Egmont Alpine Club will spend Easter on the mountain. The popularity of the Stratford side of Egmont as a holiday resort was evidenced yesterday, when a large number of cars carried a big crowd to the Stratford mountain house and on to the plateau. Besides those who travelled via the Stratford road several parties from North Egmont and Dawson Falls crossed to the plateau or traversed it in the course of their trips. As a result the plateau was well peopled throughout the day. Visibility was perfect till late in the afternoon, when mist obscured the view completely at times.