The Summit beckons, 'please take care'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 557, 11 October 1994, Page 7 (Supplement)

The Summit beckons, 'please take care'

By

Kevin

White

"Leaving the ski field I turn my back on frivolity. The slope starts to steepen and I have to kick steps into the snow. I hear my breath quicken, I'm climbing too fast. As an excuse to stop, I pause and adjust my pack, my face burns despite it being many degrees below zero. Counting the steps I make my next 50, soon the count is down to 10. The noise of machinery and people has long since faded. Feeling more alone now, nobody to judge or perform for, just me. No ache from straining muscles, just at-

tention on breathing and heart rate. I adjust my pace according to the conditions trying to keep my breathing and heart beat at a sustainable rate." The 1994 season at Ruapehu has seen record snow falls. With warming weather and bright sunny spring days many are turning their attention to the upper slopes of the mountain, above the lifts. Almost any fine day you'll see intrepid souls turning their backs on the ski fields, skis shouldered for a hike to the summit and the Crater plateau.

For many this will be the adventure of the season. Spectacular views, a sense of achievement and the conquest of a serious mountain make the long haul worthwhile. Why do people do it? Despite the cliche perhaps the only answer is, "because it's there!'" Whilst the summit and plateau are readily accessible from the ski fields an awareness of the environment being entered is a must. Ruapehu is a mountain standing in virtual isolation, its summits Teaching close to the 10,000 foot mark. Effects of high alti-

tude and fickle weather patterns are a consideration in any summit attempt. The experience of mountaineering can be satisfying and fun but it should not be forgotten that even the best prepared and planned trip can turn into an exercise of survival. Such that the experience can be enjoyed in the greatest amount of safety, proper planning and preparationis where the trip starts. Anyone anticipating a climb to the summit will need to consider their personal level of fitness. It's probably unwise for anybody not accustomed to regular physical exercise to take on the challenge. Even for those with a high level of fitness — don't imagine that after a big night of apres ski activities and minimal breakfast that a trip will be a breeze. The day should start well-rested with a breakfast of high carbohydrate and calorie content. You're going to burn a lot of energy in the next hours and depending on evolving conditions may have to rely on some body reserves. Another consideration of travel at high altitude is dehydration; obviously there' s no cafe on the way nor an alpine stream to quench your thirst. A few beers thrown in the pack is definitely not the solution; think about a couple of litres of water or some proprietary re-hydrating fluid. After preparing your body attention should be turned to equipping for the climb. As a minimum anybody venturing off-piste should carry a small pack containing map, compass, whistle, survival blanket, small torch, sun cream, repairtape (for equipment and personal use) and a source of calories such as chocolate. Clothing should be warm, light weight and impervious to wind and water. Don't forget to take a hat as up to 30 per cent of body heat can be lost through the head. Conditions you may

encounter on any day can vary from being comfortable in a T-shirt to those requiring clothing for extreme conditions. Clothing should be sufficient to spend a night out on the mountain as even if the weather looks fine and the weather forecast is good, conditions can TURN TO BACK PAGE

The Tongariro Summits beckon, 'please take care'

FROMPAGE7 deteriorate without warning. Apart from the survival gear there are other items that vary from being useful to essential. The list of 'must be taken' equipment is leamed o ver time and i s best learned with someone experienced. However two pieces worth mentioning are an ice axe and crampons. Take your cellphone along by all means, but if you don't want your peace and quiet disturbed remember it does have an off-button. It does also have certain applications if the trip takes a turn for the worse. But do not rely on it as a call for help. It's all too easy to accidentally find yourself in a position where your only

way out requires a sharp pointed tool, and your cellphone just won't cut the mustard (or in this case, the ice). There is no substitute for experience, knowledge and proper equipment. Weather The Department of Conservation receive each day a full weather forecast and situation analysis from the Meteorological Service. This is available to all at park headquarters as well as a report on avalanche danger. The avalanche report available from the department is applicable only to the northern as.pect slopes. For information on the other slopes it is advisable to contact the nearest ski patrol. Any advice is exactly that — there are no

guarantees of safety. .If intending to spend a day on the mountain offtrail remember to advise someone of your intentions and estimated time of return. The Department of Conservation has intention report forms available which are collected daily, but remember to tell a friend or relative what your plans are. Even if the day you choose to venture to the summit is ideal for climbing in ski boots it is still necessary to carry crampons and an ice-axe. The changeable nature of the mountain' s weather can cause snow conditions to alter drastically in the space of hours. Changing temperature, wind direction and

velocity, cloud cover - all these things have a profound effect on the nature of the snow you'll have to travel in. A slip and fall on ice can be just as deadly as a fall from a sheer cliff, in fact careening down slopes, out of control, without any means of arresting your fall can lead you to exactly that, a sheer drop. According to Kevin Conaglen of Mountain Guides, entering the alpine environment without proper equipment and skills is like going boating without life jackets. Just carrying an ice-axe and crampons are not enough. Learn how to use them and practice self-ar-rest techniques before you need them. It sounds like a

lot of preparation for a trip to the summit, but as soon as you leave the ski fields you are no longer skiing - you are mountaineering. Nobody would imagine that they could be a competent ski er without knowledge of equipment, or instruction in its use and it's no different with mountaineering. There are professionals available to make your day or days of mountaineering safer and more enjoyable. You can choose to make your trip instructional or a guided climb. Instruction will allow you to acquire the skills and confidence permitting safe and enjoyable experiences in the alpine region on later visits. A guided climb will allow you to fully appreciate

the environment in greater safety accomplishing more in a day than you would otherwise manage. For those interested in venturing off-piste, further reading is advisable. "Out-

door Pursuits" by Graeme Dingle or "Mountaincraft" Mountain Safety Manual Three by Lindsay Main are worth the time and effort, both are available from the Ohakune public library.