ACCIDENTS ON EGMONT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 16

ACCIDENTS ON EGMONT

MOST COULD BE AVOIDED Press Association HAWERA, Monday. In discussing accidents to climbers on Mount Egmont, Mr. L. O. Hooker, president of the Mount Egmont Alpine Club, said today that he was reluctant to pass any opinion as to the reason for mishaps, but he felt that the majority of such occurrences could be avoided if reasonable precautions were taken. “The club is continually pointing out to its members the necessity for observing strictly essential principles in alpine climbing,” said Mr. Hooker. “First of all, those participating in climbing require to be clothed properly to overcome any difficulties which may arise through exposure. Again, with parties going climbing under ice conditions, it is essential to have a responsible leader, and there is the recognised principle that where the slightest danger is likely to arise through slipping, climbers should be roped properly together. “Climbers should keep in mind the fact that they should adopt all possible measures to avoid injury to themselves and inconvenience to other people. A great deal of publicity has been given to accidents, and very wrong impressions may be given as to the safety or otherwise of Mount Egmont as an alpine region. If. however, reasonable respect. to which Mount Egmont is entitled, is shown by visitors and ordinary safety precautions are adopted, there should be no cause to record further accidents of the kind which have occurred from time to time.”