Climbing Restrictions Opposed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 1

Climbing Restrictions Opposed

The Mount Cook National Park Board was opposed in principle to compelling climbers and trampers to observe instructions from rangers, the chairman of the board (Mr N. S. Coad) said yesterday. The board had found that if climbers and trampers thought they were going to be told what to do or what not to do they would not discuss their plans with the rangers at all. Mr Coad was commenting on a statement by th* presi-i

dent of the Wellington Asso-;l iciated Mountain Clubs (Mr;' ■R. C. .Jeffreysl who suggested!’ (that it might be necessary to! press for legislations permit-ii ting rangers to issue tickets |l if their warnings were dis-1■ regarded. I Mr Jeffreys had said that the recent incident on Mount h Ruapehu involving a young : i Colombo Plan student high-:: lighted the necessity to give i . rangers greater authority. Mr Coad said that by and ; i large climbers a 1 Mount Cook ! I gladly took notice of the ' grangers and most parties 1 were well equipped and well led. : He said there had been some icases where partiee had beenu

inadequately prepared for what they intended to undertake but had taken the advice of the rangers. “However, if an inexperienced party refused to accept | the advice of the rangers we would have no power to stop them.” Mr Coad said. "We realise that with the greater use of the Mount Cook area by climbers and ■ mountaineers the dangers could grow.” Mr Coad said the board appreciated that the Tongariro board which controlled Mount Ruapehu was faced with a more urgent problem because of the number of people who went there and because of ready access to la height

While many visitors to Ruapehu went for the scenery those who tackled the mountains in the Mount Cook area faced stiff tramping and climbing from the moment they set out. Mr Coad said the same applied to the Arthurs Pass National Park although there were not as many climbers there. After several fatal accidents in (he Mount Cook area in 1964 the board had had long discussions with search I and rescue and mountaineer- ! ing organisations. It would be happy to join in any further discussions to promote safety in the mounI tains. | I