MT. EGMONT MENACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 3, 5 January 1944, Page 2

MT. EGMONT MENACE

FOUR-TON ROCK LOOSE

DANGER OF AVALANCHE. Four tons of mighty massive rock towering above the summer entrance of the Mount Egmont crater is likely to break loose any minute and come crashing down the valley, crushing any obstacle in its path, states the Taranaki Herald. A forbidding warning has been given by the Taranaki Alpine Club to all trampers and climbers to avoid going anywhere within range of this rock, especially against using the Bells Falls track as this track is directly within the danger zone. No attempts at climbing must be made unless the climbers arc accompanied by an experienced and authorised guide. All attempts to do otherwise will be stopped. These precautions must be made to protect climbers on the mountain as the slightest vibration or touch of the rock is likely to send it rolling down the mountain side and catch some party of trampers unawares, with possibly tragic consequences. Not only is there clanger from the rock itself, but there is also a likelihood of it bringing an avalanche down with it. It is hoped by the Alpine Club to remove this danger, which is curtailing pleasure on the mountain at present, by blasting it away some time next week-end, and arrangements are being made for this to be done. Attemots were made by a party this week-end to remove it by means of ropes, but this was unsuccessful. There is great danger in removing the rock by blasting it with explosives as th'* workmen can never be sure which way it will fall and what reactions the explosion will cause.