MOUNTAIN CAMEOS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 313, 19 December 1936, Page 2

MOUNTAIN CAMEOS

; FIRST ' ASCENT ON MIDHIRST TRACK.

(By

“Egmont.”-

—Copyright Reserved.)

Early in April, 1936, the death . occurred in the Waikato Hospital, of Mr Alfred B. Scherejr, as the result of injuries he received in a car accident. Mr Scherer and party- were the first to ascent Mount Egmont from Midhirst. In 1881 Messrs Scherer, Sendrick. andyW. F. Gordon attempted to ascend from Midhirst, cutting their way’, but did not succeed in getting above half way, having to return owing to tirpe being limited. On Thursday, Match 9, 1882, Mr Scherer and four enterprising settlers from Stratford (names unknown) started for Egmont by the Radnor Road, getting as far as the scrub that day. Here they camped, and the following morning, March 10, made an attempt to ascend, but owing to the thick fog which prevailed they were compelled to return to camp again, at the same timecutting a good track through about a mile of the scrub. This was Mr Scherer’s second second, attempt.

The next day, Saturday, March 11, 1882, at 7 tftn., another start was made from the camping place and having passed through tUe scrub- and coming to a wide gprge on their right (Manganui). which they' crossed, followed It up till they came to the “East Spur." From there they had t a splendid view of the country between Waitara and Hawera, Tongariro and Ruapehu being clear, as well as Raglan Heads. They found an abundance .of mountain flowers, and an edible berry, and moss' covering the ■ground. Above was dense fog, but they proceeded along the side of the Spur in spite of the bitter cold wind that was blow ing, and reached the East Peak

at 12.30. Owing to the thick fog they were unable to see more than two chains distance. They described the peak as like a knife blade in appearance; on the west and south, the sides were frightfully' steep cliffs, and they were unable to see the -bottom on account of the fog. It was thought no one had been up the mountain by this route, as they found no marks of any kind that indicated human presence. On reaching the top Mr Scherer planted a good size pole, and fixed to it a white flag; (hey also “fixed” some stones to indicate to future mountaineers the spot they reached. Owing .to the dense fog which prevailed ' theiyi did not attempt 1 to explore any of the other peaks, and made the return trip, arriving back at camp about 4 p.m., and getting back to Midhirst a little after noon on Sunday', March 12. On the way up they crossed two rivers and about eight

creeks; whilst the last three or four hundred feet before reaching the top was considered extremely steep.

A lot of people took exception, to the “White Flag” planted on Mount Egiriont. Here is Mr Scherer’s reply: “I cannot really see what is making a fuss about. I merely planted the flag there that it might indicate that persons had visited the spot, and that it might act as a ‘‘trig” for taking bearings, but not as thinks, that we did it out of disaffection towards tlm British

Government. Surveyors generally have white flags on their trig stations, and really' 1 cannot see why I should not be justified in making any mark on the mountain if I like. Should want to pull it down and supplement it -with the Union Jack, Why, he is welcome to do it.”