Inexperience leads to Ruapehu tragedy: Green

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 428, 17 March 1992, Page 3

Inexperience leads to Ruapehu tragedy: Green

Once again Mount Ruapehu has claimed the life of an inexperienced climber. Recently 35 year old Aucklander, Anil Patel slipped and fell to his death while climbing the high peak of Mount Ruapehu, from Turoa ski field. Mr Patel's tragic death highlights the fact that anyone venturing into mountains should be prepared for changeable and often severe conditions, said regional conservator Paul Green, Department of Conservation. 'The severe winter of 1991 has left a considerable amount of snow on Mt Ruapehu. In the days leading up to Mr Patel's fatal accident there had been a light

dusting of fresh snow followed by severe frosts and the resulting conditions required climbers to be experienced in mountain craft and to be equipped with ice axes and cramppns," he said. "Mr Patel's party were neither sufficiently experienced or equipped for the climb. Department of Conservation staff involved in the rescue also noticed other groups and individuals climbing Mt Ruapehu without the necessary equipment." Mr Green who was search controller at the accident scene, said the right of individuals to climb in the mountains has long been recogTurnpage4

Ruapehu tragedy

From page 3 nised and protected in this country. He said the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, mountain clubs and govemment agencies have done much to advocate mountain safety over the last 30 years. "It is a major concern that the safety message does not always seem to be acknowledged and that the North Island peaks of Mount Taranaki and Mount Ruapehu are often treated with disrespect," Mr Green said.