EGMONT MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1916, Page 3

EGMONT MOUNTAIN CLUB.

OPENING DAY. ' (From Our Own Correspondent). The opening day of the Egmont Mountain Club, .which was held on the Daw--son's Falls side on Sunday last, was attended by a, fully representative gathering from South Taranaki. A number of members indicated their intention of climbing the mountain, but probably owing to the bad condition of the snow, most of the members altered their minds at the last minute, leaving only three to make, the ascent from the Dawson's Falls House to the trig station, which is the actual summit of Egmont. As announced, Mr. S. Turner came from Wellington and led the party, consisting of "Mr. T. Anderson (Christchureh) and Mr. T. E. Anderson (Mahoe). The actual climb was most interesting, from the reason that the fresh-fallen snow was turned into ice by the wind, causing the formation of "ostrich feathers," pointing to the Opunake and Cape Egmont side. This peculiar ice formation was very pronounced from the lip of the crater to the summit. The depth of snow was considered to be much heavier than six months ago, which is accounted for by unfavorable climatic conditions. The return journey from the trig station to near Fantham's Peak was accomplished in 25 minutes, the glissading down the Kapuni face being fairly good. The journey was a long one, taking from 7.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., owing to the long stay on the summit, from which, with the aid of glasses, a view of the Southern Alps could he obtained, besides the usual sea of clouds around the lower slopes. Dr. A. Thomson (Wellington), Dr. Wm. Thomson and Mr. R. Browne (Hawera) Were present, indulging in their favorite studies of botany. It may be interesting to note that their labors were rewarded by the finding of a plant never known to be found on Egmont before. Mr. 'Browne presented the caretaker with a line book to be used for recording any plant or shrub found, or other particulars known concerning the specie. Another attraction of the day .was the Kaponga Brass Band, under Conductor F. Woods, which played a selected programme of music at intervals. It speaks well for the enterprise of the 'band to travel to Dawson's Falls House to render such a heavy programme. The president of tlie Club (Mr. Law) returned thanks to the band. The following day Mr. Turner again ascended the mountain (to get in form to climb the Southern Alps), making the round trip from the Dawson's Falls side, following the track to where it meets the New Plymouth track, and ascending by that. He was surprised to meet two men on the way down with no nails in their boots and carrying a short stick. He overtook a party of three ladies and three gentlemen, which included Mr. Williams (caretaker of the North Egmont House), and as they ascended by the snow slope Mr. Turner kicked and cut steps for the party on the hard snow into the crater, and waited at the trig station for their arrival. He then descended on the Dawson's Falls side. Mr. Turner's times are very interesting and authentic, he being timed by Mr. Murphy and the caretaker of the North Egmont House, who timed him from the summit. Leaving the Dawson's Falls House at S a.m., he went to the extreme end of the track, ascended to the bottom of the snow which comes out of the New Plymouth side of the crater by 11 a.m., being delayed half-an-hour cutting steps for the party, but which would not be required for himself. He waited at the trig station foi HO minutes, and after spending a considerable time with the party, left them at 12.35, as timed by Mr. Williams. Glissading down the snow at a good speed, and running down the track, he reached Dawson's Falls House' at 1.25. as timed by Mr. Murphy. It might be interesting to note that ■the previous -ecord down from Fantham's Peak is 35 minutes, but no doubt Mr. Turner constitutes a record by doing the journey from the ventre of the crater to Dawson's Falls House in 50 minutes. The condition of the mountain was not conducive to fast travelling from the centre of the crater to Fantham's Peak. This makes the time all the more remarkable. The actual time was 5 hours 25min. for the round trip, having lost 15 minutes looking for the track on the Stratford side, and spending an hour on the summit. Speaking to Mr. Turner about the trip, he said that if anyone in New iZealand can carry a swag of 201bs weight, besides boots of 31bs weight and an ice-axe of albs (which is the full equipment for the climb on the Southern Alps) and do this round trip in six hours he would be capable of tackling some of the easier snow elijnbs.in the Southern Alps. The ascent of Mt. Egmont and down again would be. too short a test of a man's ability to become a mountaineer. It is the intention of the club to issue later a pamphlet of instruction and hints to would-be climbers, so that they may climb in a bad storm, and thus eliminate the loss of life that has occurred in recent years on Mount Egmont. Eor this reason alone the club '(which is organised at the nearest town to the Dawson's Falls fcidc of the mountain) should receive the support of everyone interested in the mountain. It is also the intention of the club to make the mountain and its lovely bush widely known, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia and abroad. Mr. Turner is of opinion that in the future Egmont, although perhaps not in our generation, will have a substantial sanatorium to cure consumption built on the summit, as there is plenty of room on the trig station rocks for a fairly commodious house. The catering and general accommodation at the Dawson's Falls House is very homely and as good as anything in ■New Zealand, says Mr. Turneif The numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, built this season have added to the accommodation, and, if anything, the visitor gets too much for his money as compared with other houses at similtar altitudes in New Zealand.