STRATFORD MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 84, 30 March 1914, Page 7

STRATFORD MOUNTAIN CLUB.

(By Alpenstock.) The membership has now been raised to the number of 170. A pleasing feature is the large number of laides who have.enlisted in the cause of promoting Egmont's interests, . and by their enthusiasm and energy have materially advanced the interests of the Club. It may not be generally known that Fantham's Peak derived its name from the fact that Mrs Fred Bayly, a member of the Club, an:l who in those days was a Miss Fantham was the first lady to reach the top of the peak. One can hardly realise the difficulties that beset the intrepid explorers of those days. No roads suitable for motors existed, in fact the tracks of cattle gone wild were the only ones that afforded even passable going. Our main arteries were not in as good condition as the mountain tracks are of to-day. imagine the bush reaching from Broadway, none having been felled, picture nature's entanglements behatting you at every stride ; the bush lawyers seizing you in thei< clutches and leaving you bloodstained and a sorry spectacle; observe the wild pigs scampering across the quagmire that stood as a substitute for a road, only to disappear in the dark and damp undergrowth, and remember that Mountain Houses were.conspicuous by their absence, \yhich necessitated the carrying of tents,,to shield one from the Mountain's blast, and stocks of provisions on which to oxist, kinematograph before jour view these drawbacks,magnified one hundred fold, and you will then doubtless appreciate, the indomitable courage and the perseverance necessary to unmount the,all too numerous difficulties that confronted the early pioneer. Mrs Bayly's achievement is one of which she may feel justly proud. How interesting it Would be to us young Aloine enthusiastis if some of those who interested themselves in the Mays of long ago in the ■ mountain, were to publish their experiences, or to supply facts connected with their ascensions of Mt. Egmont, to our secretary. During last, week quite a number of ladies connected with the Club made the journey to the summit. Conspicuous amongst their number were the Misses Bredow, of Douglas, who speak in words of unbounded admiration of the awful grandeur of the view, as witnessed from the crater of the extinct volcano, and are firm in their conviction to again subdue the old. snpw-topped monarch at the earliest opportunity. The Mountain Lilly, who is so assiduously attending to ,the, wants of the frequeijters, of pur Mountain House, has hecepted the call of one from our midst to face the world matrimonially, i Whilst missing the influence of jhjar, , angelic, presence, as ( judged by the .sweet snnle that accompairied the wjords of comfort cheering the hearts or the 'tired climbers, the Club extends! to .her its very best wishes, and sincerely hopes that her path to happiness and prosperity lie strewn with' the petals of the mountain rose.

Those who doubt the beauty of the scenery sjurlroundiug the Stratford Mountain House are asked to view the photographs encased at the entrance to the Municipal Buildings jn Broadway. The pictures, which were taken by Mr Williams, caretaker , of the Mountain House, are of the. lower and upper Curtis ,Falls, Strafford Mountain House, and two views of the track leading to the House, in which the siood condition of the track is observed. ..'..*