HARDY MOUNTAINEERS.

Shannon News, 1 November 1929, Page 3

HARDY MOUNTAINEERS.

NEW RECORDS ESTABLISHED. LEVIN AND WELLINGTON TRAMPERS PENETRATE TO MT. BANNISTER. FIRST NIGHT TRIP TO, AVALANCHE FLAT. A party of trampers who Avent far into the Tararua Ranges during last week-end proved themselves A r ery fit, making se\ T eral nerv records and scaling the precipitous sides of Mt. Bannister, a peak Avhicli is difficult of approach and has not been \ r isitcd for many years. Leaving the Pipe Bridge at 6.45 p.m. on Friday, Messrs W. Harris and Geof. Gapper, of Levin, set out for the Mangahao Valley. They travelled up the Ohau Gorge Avith the aid of electric handlights as far as Deerstalkers’ Flat, which was reached at 9.10. Camp was pitched there for the night. Leaving at 5.50 next morning, the trampers continued on to the confluence and up Deception Ridge, the top of which Avas gained in good time. The descent to Avalanche Flat was made slowly, as some blazing Avas necessary, to clearly mark the track for a party coming in that .night. On arrival at Avalanche Flat, the camp Avas got in order and a quantity of dry Avood collected. RECORD BROKEN IN THE DARK. At 4.45 p.m., Saturday, Messrs Wilson, Hines and Gray, members of the Tararua Tramping Club, left the Pipe Bridge for Avalanche Flat, via the Ohau River and Deception Ridge. The arduous climb up Deception Ridge Avas commenced at 6.30, and 40 minutes later darkness set in and the remainder of the journey Avas done by the aid of torch light. They reached Avalanche Flat at 9.55 p.m., tlie time taken being 5 hours 10 minutes. This was a ucav record, the former record being 5 hrs. 30 mins. It Avas also the first night crossing to Avalanche Flat. A DASH TO DUNDAS.

At 5.15 on Sunday morning, all the mountaineers, Avith the exception of Mr Harris, Avho remained in camp, left Avalanche Flat, for Mt Bannister (5080 ft.), Avith light packs, consisting of some clothing, food and cameras. They started off at a hot pace, Avhicli was maintained to Brockett’s Rocks, on tlie southern shoulder of Mt. Dundas, the time taken being 1 hr. 45 min. —an outstanding climbing record, 1-J hours being clipped off the usual time. Fog Ava s uoav settling over the ranges. Mt. Bannister, the goal, with its top hidden in the clouds, could be seen in the distance, aAvay to the south-east. After a short spell the party continued on their Avayl southwards along the range, saving as much time as possible by skirting the knobs. ROCK FACES ENCOUNTERED.

Thick fog had now covered the ranges, and a strong ■ south-Avest Avind made the conditions cold, but the party kept on, determined to reach the objective. At 7.50 the saddle connecting the Banister ridge to the DundasHoldsAv'orth range Avas rcache);!, and from there steep grades had to be faced; in places there were rock surfaces, but these Avere safely climbed. OBJECTIVE REACHED. The Bu Drome-da ire y peaks Avere crossed, and the last scramble up the rugged side of the peak Avas commenced. Though steep, the rocks afforded fairly good footholds, and at 8.30 the summit Avas reached. As there Avere numerous side spurs, at intervals, readings of the compass Avere made and noted, to .ensure returning along the correct ridge. A small cairn, surrounded by bunches of snoA\ r grass, marks the summit, and there some photos Avere taken. The fog thinned occasionally, but a good vieAv could not be had A LITTLE-KNOWN REGION.

From, what information can be gathered it is about 20 years since anyone has been on the peak. Mr Bannister, a guide, after whom the -peak was named and Mr Cl'imie, a survey tor/, were the first to make the ascent. Mr Gapper has the honour of being the first Levinite to climb the mountain. The southern side of the mountain is almost perpendicular for about 3000 ft., and it is not safe to venture too near the edge of the ridge! IMPORTANT RIVER SOURCES.

From a distance Mt. Bannister appears a very wild, craggy mass, with a sharp peak, which, when the fog is whirling about and over it, gives one the shivers. On the south side are the upper reaches of the Waingawa River, and on the north the source of the Ruamahanga River. ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW.

* There was patchy snow on the eastern and south faces of the ranges, and in the more sheltered parts there were big snowdrifts. The return journey was accomplished in good time, Avalanche Flat being reached at 5 minutes past 12 noon. After a hot meal, the mountaineers pulled camp and left at 1.45 p.m. for the Ohau, the Biackwater forks being reached at 5 p.m. There the Wellington men camped for the night, and the Levin trampers continued on and reached the Pipe Bridge at 7.15.