SKI-CLIMBING

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 452, 21 June 1937, Page 6

SKI-CLIMBING

N.Z. CONDITIONS An Overseas Critic “The fittest Riece of ski-mountain-eering it has been my privilege to enjoy,’’ is the description applied by Mr. Colin W. Wyatt, the English expert, to his winter holiday in the New Zealand Alps latt year. Mr. Wyatt has contributed a long article to the “Alpine Journal” (Great Britain), in which he has much praise for the natural attractions of New Zealand for the climber and ski-run-ner and some criticism of the organisation of these sporty in the Dominion.

“New Zealand' otters as fine skimountaineering 'as any country, but to enjoy it to the full and to reap the greatest benefit one must have. ! niore or less unlimited tittle/’’ Mr. Wyatt writes'. “The ‘insular’ climate is exceedingly erratic and uncertain, the country being swept frequently by nor’-westers, the local equivalent of the Fohn, which Past anything from three to six days and render it impossible' to leave the huts. But indefinite weather as we know it is rare; as a rule it is either obviously perfect or equally obviously impossible. When planning a few weeks’ touring on the glaciers it is never safe to g’amble on more than an average of three fine days out of seven, and one must be prepared frequently to be obliged to possess one’s soul in patience for days on end, waiting for the storm to break.”

“Views Unequalled.'' “But if your time is your own I can imagine no finer country for winter expeditions'. The glacier ski-ing is superb and the views unequalled, since from most of the main peaks one can look down to the waves breaking on the coast in the distance, while the huts are very comfortable and well stocked with provisions. Moreover, high alpine conditions occur at 2000-3000 feet lower than in the Alps. Also, owing to the humidity of the atmosphere the snow binds very rapidly and solidly, and the danger of snow avalanches is almost non-existent. In the Southern Alps the ski-ing is usually good; in the North Island it is as a rule too icy except in late spring, but there ths utter strangeness' of the mountains and country more than offsets this disadvantage.’’

Mr. Wyatt describes his ski trips through the great gltrciers of the Southern Alps and his notable ascents on several of the great peaks on ski with Guide Mick Bowie, who, “apart from being absolutely first-rate as a guide, wfes also a good ski-runner and the mast perfect companion for such a trip under every condition.” He says, he looks, forward to the next visit, for he had’ barely skimmed the surface of the work that can be done in those parts.

Straight Bargaining Necessary.” "The New Zealand Alpine Club is erecting new huts wherever possible, but hut building is far more expensive and arduous a matter than in Europe, chiefly owing to the lack of materials -anywhere near the site, and the time and expense in packing them in when obtained, as often as not on men’s backs. Only a small minority of the mountain valleys boYst trails and these, unless fairly well frequented, soon become merged into the bush again, since there is no labour anywhere near at hand for their upkeep.

Hut fees, in the areas where the huts belong entirely to the New Zealand Alpine Club, are very reasonable,, especially considering that they are stocked with food and fuel. In those areas, however, where they are under the control of a commercial company very strict bargaining is absolutely necessary before starting a trip. Also guides’ fees are out of ail proportion to European charges, the charges .for ascents of the more famous peaks being quite ridiculous. Unfortunately no maps worthy of the name are available, and it is therefore not safe for any but a thoroughly experienced party, or a party containing one New Zealander in it, to venture out in doubtful weather since a compass is of little or no use without reliable maps. Government Control Advocated. “The Southern Alps form an ideal area for the keen mountaineer and ski-mountaineer, but for the amateur parties, unless they have ample money and time at their disposal, they are at present too expensive and unsafe from weather causes. “It is greatly to be hoped that the Government will realise the asset to the nation provided by the Southern Alps, and will make an effort to have all huts under control of the New Zealand Alpine Club with a fixed scale of charges, and also tr settle definitely an official guiding tariff for the whole country. The institution of a proper school for guides, awarding diplomas, is much ta be dbsirid,

but I fear is far too Utopian at present'. “The few first-class guides, who are every bit as fine as the crack Europeans-, are much booked-up in advance, and inexperienced strangers, not in the know, may be put in the hands of any odd man round the hotel, irrespective of his knowledge of mountain-craft. This, of course, applies- only to the very crowded and would-be ‘European’ resorts. In the smaller places, especially those managed by past climbers, the consideration and care shown to all types of parties. l leave nothing to be desired. ‘Mountains have ra'ade the fortunes of Austria and Switzerland; there is no reason why they should not do so in New Zealand as well.”