MOUNTAINEERING TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1922, Page 5

MOUNTAINEERING TRAGEDY.

CLIMBERS’ DEATH ON TARARUAS. The stormy weather experienced over the week-end ended tragically for a Wellington party of trampers who essayed to cross the Tararuas from the Otaki side. The party, which consisted of ten men and two women, left Thorndon station by the 4.15 p.m. train for Otaki, and proceeded to Mt. Hector in the Tararua ranges on Sunday, afterwaids going on to Mt. Alpha. The weather appeared so unfavorable that two of the party, Miss Richardson and Mr. Milne, decided to turn back before the ascent of the range was commenced.

- The trampers encountered very rough weather crossing the range, which made the climb very arduous, and several of the party were much exhausted before the hut at Mt. Alpha was reached. Mr. Harold Freeman collapsed altogether, and though every assistance possible was rendered him by the remainder of the party, he succumbed to heart failure before the hut was arrived at.

Mr. Freeman, who was 28 years of age, was well known in Wellington. He left for the war with the Seventh Reinforcements, and saw the campaign right through to the close. It is considered likely that the undermining of his constitution by war strain was responsible -for his being unable to stand the exhausting tramp in the storm.