A BIG SLIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1920, Page 4

A BIG SLIDE.

DOWN MOUNT RUAPEHU. To be caught on an avalanche of snow and precipitated a distance of over SOO feet down the side of Mount Euapehu, is an experience that befel Mr. L. A. Johnston, son of the, postmaster at Te Awamutu, who has returned practically. none the worse for the experience, except that at present lie is suffering from severe cuts,.and bruises on both arms (says a Te Awamutu, .correspondent). Mr.. Johnston states, that a party of sixteen, including himself, elimb.ed the mountain from Wajfmarino side. The weather was. .fine, anil.'the snow ..line was reached at JAn altitude of about. 6000. feet.'. It was suggested that the party, should, rope .to provide against a pre", eipitqtfs glissade, on .the treacherous ice, but/this was not done. A further height was .reached, when suddenly, without warning, a snowface of. some twenty acres broke loose. Mr. Johnston, Who was at the rear of the party, was inside the danger area, and he was swiftly carried away, to the horror of his companions. He soon became lost to sight in the drift snow further down, near basalt rocks. The frightened party immediately rusfiVd down the mountain side, prepared for the worst, but. after a descent of about SOO feet, Mr. Johnston was found lying near some jagged rocks, with wounds on his arms. He says he barely escaped being dashed to pieces on rocks near the snowline. Strangely enough, about four years ago, a climber was dashed to pieces almost in the same spot.