HOPE ABANDONED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 829, 1 August 1933, Page 7

HOPE ABANDONED.

‘ No Prospect of Finding Russell Alive. STORMY CONDITION'S AT PASS. (Special to the " Star.”) ARTHURS PASS, August 1. The search for the body of Edgar Russell was continued this morning in bitterly cold conditions. Three students, who arrived from Christchurch at midnight, set out early to follow the route taken by Sunday’s party, in the hope of finding Russell below the woodline. Weather conditions prohibited them from going higher as it was blowing a blizzard on Avalanche Peak. They stated before they set out that it was not their intention to go above the bushline. It was pointed out that uncertainty existed as to whether Russell ever left the bush, and it was thought that the missing climber might have gone off on some climb of his own, and in this case was not involved in the snow slide which caught his companions. Speed is essential if the search for Russell is to be an immediate success, for fj-esh snow may fall and bury his body still deeper. Happening as it did in a basin, any new avalanche of snow will tend to pile up over the scene of the accident, thus increasing the hardships of the search. It is feared that the present nor’-west weather may turn to south-west and bring a heavy fall of snow with it. A Big Effort. Guide Oscar Coberger said this morning that a determined effort would be made on Friday for, should the weather improve, a big party of climbers under Mr John Pascoe would proceed to the Pass from Christchurch on the Thursday’s express. He expected that there would be at least twenty climbers taking part in the search. The tragedy has cast a gloom over Arthur’s Pass. All hope that Russell might be alive has now passed. He could never have survived two freezingly cold nights in the bush, with wet clothes and without a fire. He would not have been able to light a fire in any case because the undergrowth and bush is soaked as a result of the heavy rains. The members of the party which set out this morning were Messrs R. Clark, A. S. Griffin and W. M. E. Mirams. They are sanguine that something of Russell may be discovered, along Rough Creek, and it is also their intention to search the ridges about the Avalanche Peak track. The trio set out shortly after 9 o’clock, and intend to return late this afternoon. Small Parties. One aspect of mountaineering to which the fatality has drawn attention is the necessity for climbers forming themselves into small, wieldy parties, from three to five persons. Sunday’s party actually consisted of three parties, which joined forces and gave a total of 18 climbers. Though this number included experienced mountaineers, they could not be held responsible for the fact that Russell was not missed, because the experienced men did not know most of the other members of the party. Messrs Felix Harvey and Leith Wade were to have gone out on a search this morning, but as they intended again to investigate the snow-slide area, they had to abandon their plans. Mr Harvey, who was formerly a guide at the Fox Glacier, was of the opinion that it would be impossible to negotiate the upper reaches of Avalanche Peak in the prevailing weather. The snowcap of the peak was shrouded in vapour this morning, and it was apparent that it was blowing a blizzard There. In Arthur's Pass township, after a beautifully clear night, to-day was overcast and freezingly cold, with rain falling heavily from 10 o’clock. Snow fell early this morning at Cora Lynn and Bealev. Previous Accidents. On two previous occasions the treacherous Avalanche Peak has been the scene of accidents. A Mr Turner broke one of his legs when he was making an ascent about two years ago, and just before that another climber, Mr H. M’D. Vincent, was injured and had to be brought down. Not long ago Miss Lorrimer was caught in a crevasse on Mount Rolleston and was severely injured. COVERED IN SNOW. Injured Climber Makes Statement. (Special to the “Star”) DUNEDIN, August 1. W. S. Gilkison, a student at Otago University, who was a member of Sunday’s climbing party on Avalanche Peak, Arthur’s Pass, has returned to Dunedin. Mr Gilkison was injured by the same snow slide which is believed to have buried Edgar Russell. He received a severe cut on the left eye. Mr Gilkison was able to make a statement to-day. He said: “ The climb is a comparatively easy one, entailing an easy ascent to the lower peak and then another shorter climb to the main peak. About forty or fifty people made the trip on the excursion train and set out for the climb, but by the time the party had reached the lower peak the numbers had dwindled to about eighteen. '* The final slope was being negotiated when it was swept by a snow slide. Most of the party were covered in snow, but managed to extricate themselves, and were inclined to treat the occurrence lightly. Every effort was made to ensure that all members were safe. It was then decided to return to the train, and the party broke up into several smaller groups, so that the loss of the missing man was not noticed for some time, each party thinking he was another.”