MOUNT HECTOR TRACK.

Otaki Mail, 23 June 1922, Page 2

MOUNT HECTOR TRACK.

The sad termination of the attempted trip over the Tararuas to Otaki l>y the Mount Hector track suggests that although those interested in this attractive climb and trump have clone a great deal lo make the way more and more practicable, something further is required to be done. The two young Wellington men. Messrs Iviine and Ballons were not altogether inexperienced in mountaineering, but one perished and the other came very near to death through missing the track ta the log. There arc some guide posts tit certain places, but the recent sad happening shows that. Untie arc points at which it is fatally easy to take a wrong turn, especially in mist and fog, and a few tall posts at those places might serve to keep travellers in the right way. The recent tragic occurrence seems also to emphasise the necessity of some regulation Vicing made to cross the ranges by the Mt. Hector track. There are risks even in summer time from mists and chances of getting off the right line. In the winter the dangers, as the late tragedy demonstrated, arc very greatly intensified and it should be made a rule that no persons should attempt the journey without a permit, granted only when the party desiring it showed that it was properly equipped for the purpose and that the time of the year and weather conditions were suitable. The trip does net merely concern the persons making it; but as tbc recent occurrence showed, affects a very large number of people who have apparently nothing to do with them, or their adventure. If things go well, there is nothing more heard of the experience except perhaps a local paragraph in the newspapers recording the fact that the | trip had been made. If there is reason to believe that an accident has hap--1 pcnci then it is realised that everyone is concerned. Search parlies are organised. and men from town and country go out and risk limbs and lives and lose their time in the effort to bring relief to those in' distress. It is to the credit of humanity that when such a call comes there is never any lack of response to it, however difficult and dangerous the task may bo. The public, however, should not be lightly subjected to “uch a contingency in connection with the Mount Hector track. .It is not a safe holiday tramp in the winter months, and there should be some authority, possibly a Track Committee, whose permission should first be obtained before any persons are allowed to start on the trip. The responsibility would then rest with authority, which would not lightly undertake it, and would therefore be the best safeguard against such accidents as that we -all now deplore.