TRAGEDY AT MOUNT COOK
CAUGHT IN A BLIZZARD
FIVE LIVES LOST
A terrible tragedy, resulting in the loss of five lives, occurred on the Tasman Glacier in the Southern Alps yesterday. According to information received by telephone from Timaru to-day by Mr. R. B. McCrackcn, local agent of the Mount Cook Motor Company, Ltd., a party consisting of four ladies —
MISS KEANE (Christchurch)
MISS MONTEATH (Christchurch)
MISS HERBERT BROWN (Rangiora)
MISS SMITH (Auckland), and
GUIDE BLOMFIELD (Dunedin)
left the Malte Brun Hut yesterday morning, in fine weather, on their way back to the Hermitage, and was making for the De la Beche Bivouac when they were struck by a sudden blizzard, with thunder and lightning, hail and snow. Some hours later their five bodies were discovered in the vicinity of the bivouac by Guide Hilgendorf, going out from the Ball Hut.
From the Malte Brun Hut to the bivouac is a distance of some two miles, but the party would have to strike right out into the Tasman Glacier to reach the De la Beche Bivouac. They would have crevasses on either side of them, and would no doubt have difficulty in reaching the bivouac corner, for the southerly blizzard would strike directly up the glacier. Mr. McCracken said that his company's officials in Timaru were quite emphatic that the weather was good when the party left the Malte Brun Hut and to the best of their knowledge the fatality must have occurred between 10 and 11 o'clock on Sunday morning.
"The whole of the staff were sent out from the Hermitage, with a number of workmen working on the road down there; and the bodies are being brought into the Hermitage this afternoon," said Mr. McCracken. "The weather is still bad down there. The storm struck Timaru fairly early on Sunday morning, and is described as one of the worst they have known down there. It must have struck the party very suddenly indeed. The corner before the De la Beche Bivouac, where the bodies were found, is described by Mr. Harper, of the Alpine Club, as a very, very bad corner. The bivouac is a very good one, affording ample shelter, had they only been able to reach it. But they were evidently overwhelmed by the blizzard."
According to a Press Association message from Timaru, the party left the Malte Brun Hut in good weather, but had only progressed three or four miles when it was caught in the raging blizzard. It was impossible to continue the journey as visibility was limited to a few feet. There was no place where the party could find shelter, and apparently they huddled together on the ice, where they were subsequently found by Acting-Guide C. Hilgendorf, who had remained behind at Malte Brun Hut to clear up and put things in order for the next party. He went out to catch up on the party, but was driven back to the shelter of the hut by the blizzard, which suddenly swept the Tasman Glacier region. The storm was accompanied by vivid and spectacular lightning. There were also peals of heavy thunder. When the storm had abated somewhat, Guide Hilgendorf set out with all haste in search of the stricken party. His mission was destined to be a fateful one, for the four ladies and the guide had succumbed to the fury of the elements.
In spite of the terrible conditions that prevailed, Guide Hilgendorf did not spare himself in a dash to the Ball Hut, and on his arrival there he was "all in," but he was able to give news of the tragedy that had taken place on the white expanse of the Tasman Glacier.
Word was immediately conveyed to the Hermitage, and a rescue party was dispatched to the Ball Hut, but it was not possible to recover the bodies last evening on account of the terrible weather conditions in the Alps. This morning there was practically no improvement in the weather.
The unfortunate happening has caused widespread regret, and it was the one topic of conversation in Timaru.
Acting-Guide Blomfield is well known in Dunedin, where he was a student at Otago University. Alpine climbing was his one recreation, and he was a regular climber at the Hermitage. During the summer vacation he was usually employed as an actingguide. He was twenty years of age.
Miss Doris Herbert Brown who was lost on Mount Cook is the elder daughter of Mrs. Herbert Brown, of Mount Thomas, Rangiora.
Miss Mary Monteath, aged 20, is the daughter of Mr. J. K. Monteath, 23 Poynder Avenue, Fendalton.
Miss Smith, was aged 26, she was the only daughter of Mr. H. S. Smith, Woodhall road, Epsom. She left Auckland for a holiday at Mt. Cook on Thursday last. -Evening Post, 20/1/1930.
ALPINE TRAGEDY
WORST IN DOMINION’S HISTORY
FIVE DIE DURING BLIZZARD
BODIES FOUND ON TASMAN GLACIER
Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 20.
The worst alpine disaster in New Zealand occurred on Mount Cook yesterday when a party of four ladies and a guide were caught in a blizzard between the Malte Brun Hut and Ball Hut, on the Tasman Glacier, about mid-day and perished from exposure. Their bodies were found four miles down the glacier from the Malte Brun Hut by Guide C. Hilgendorf, who had remained behind to clean up the hut. The names of the dead are: —
MISS DORIS HERBERT BROWN, elder daughter of the late Mr. Herbert Brown and Mrs. Brown, of Mount Thomas, Rangiora.
Miss MARY MONTEATH, aged 20, younger daughter of Mr. J. K. Monteath, of 23 Poynder Avenue, Fendalton.
MISS HELENA KEANE, aged 24, a clerk, residing at 239 Selwyn Street, Spreydon.
MISS D. SMITH, Woodhaugh Avenue, Epsom, Auckland.
ACTING-GUIDE E. BLOMFIELD, aged 20, of Dunedin, an Otago University student.
DISCOVERY OF TRAGEDY
Reports from the Mount Cook Motor Company state that the party of five left the Malte Brun Hut yesterday morning at about 10 o’clock in good weather to make the journey to the Hermitage. Guide Hilgendorf, who is a student at College House, Christchurch, and a well-known climber, remained in the hut to clear up after the party left. About three or four miles down the glacier a thunderstorm and blizzard of great intensity swept down on the party. Evidently they did not, live long in the fearful conditions, for when Guide Hilgendorf came down following them he found their bodies in the snow at De la Beche Corner. They were all dead when he reached them, huddled together on the exposed face of the glacier. It was Guide Hilgendorf’s second attempt to catch up on the party, for he had barely left the hut when the blizzard came down and he was driven back to take shelter. As soon as the worst of the storm was over Hilgendorf set out again.
After finding the bodies, he pushed on with all speed to the Ball Hut, which is 20 miles from the Hermitage, for help. Word was immediately conveyed to the Hermitage and a rescue party was dispatched to the Ball Hut to recover the bodies, but up till this morning the weather was too bad to enable this to be done.
THE VICTIMS.
Miss Mary Monteath was the younger daughter of Mr. JI K. Monteath, a master at Christ’s College, who resides at 23 Poynder Avenue, Fendalton. From 1919 to 1924 she attended Rangi Ruru Private School, where her quiet nature and fine personality made her many friends. At school she showed considerable musical ability. After leaving (portion missing)
HILGENDORF’S DESPERATE JOURNEY
FIGHT AGAINST GALE
CRAWLED ON HANDS AND KNEES
Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 20.
Further details of the Mount Cook tragedy indicate that the body of Guide Blomfield was found by Guide Hilgendorf about 150 yards ahead of the others. It appeared that he had struggled on in a last desperate hope of reaching the Ball Hutt and assistance. The storm was still raging with terrific force, and Guide Hilgendorf did not spare himself in a desperate effort to reach the Ball Hut. He literally had to fight his way foot by foot against the terrific wind, and for a considerable distance was compelled to crawl on his hands and knees, the force of the gale being so great.
Practically exhausted by his hazardous journey, on his arrival at the Ball Hut he was just able to gasp: “The girls are dead — out on the glacier — blizzard terrible.”
He was immediately conveyed to The Hermitage by car, and from there a rescue party was dispatched to the Ball Hut. The terrible weather conditions nullified the efforts of the party to recover the bodies during the day, and the search will be resumed at daybreak tomorrow.
SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY THE LOCALITY DESCRIBED
Malte Brun Hut (5700 ft.) is situated at the foot of a spur from Mount Malte Brun, and is on the east bank of the Tasman, about 11 miles up the glacier, and about seven miles from the Ball Hut. A reasonable time to cover the distance over the ice would be about five hours. The whole dividing range from Hochstetter Doine (9258 ft.) past Elie de Beaumont (10,200ft.), Minarets (10,058 ft.), Douglas Peak (10,107 ft.), Haidinger (10,059 ft.), etc., to Mount Cook, is visible just across the valley. It provides probably the greatest example of glaciation to be found anywhere outside the Polar regions (excepting the Himalayas), while sweeping past at one’s feet is the white ice-stream of the Tasman Glacier, a mile in width.
De la Beche Bivouac.
The De la Beche Bivouac in the vicinity of which the bodies were found, is on the western side of the glacier, and a short way down. The distance from the Malte Brun Hut is approximately two miles. Here good shelter can be obtained. In good weather, Mr. A. P. Harper, an experienced alpinist, informed a “Dominion” representative, the crossing was by no means a dangerous one in summer, even though there were numerous hummocks and crevasses.
Ball Hut.
Further south, in the direction of the beginning of the Tasman River, and also on the western side of the glacier, is situated the Ball Hut, fourteen miles from the Hermitage and about six miles from the De la Beche Bivouac. The distance from the Malte Brun Hut is approximately seven miles. From the hut up the glacier, about an hour and a half’s walk, takes one to a viewpoint of marvellous grandeur. At close quarters is the Hochstettcr ice-fall, some 2000 ft. high, with its pure white ice sparkling in the sun. Behind this magnificent view and towering into the sky are Mount Cook (12.349ft) and Mount Tasman (11,475 ft.). In a northerly direction is a panorama of peaks extending to the head of the Tasman Glacier, nearly 12 miles away, in which those of Mounts De la Beche and Minarets stand out in their stately grandeur. Opposite Mount Cook is the whole of the Malte Brun Range, the highest peak of which ascends to 10,421 feet. In this view no fewer than ten peaks are over 10,000 ft., and the farthest only twelve miles away.
From Ball Hut, which is at an altitude of 3500 ft., the glacier descends to an altitude of 2354 ft., where the Tasman River begins. Continuing towards the mouth, the Hooker River is then met, up which one turns, leaving the Tasman, to arrive at the Hermitage.
OTHER ACCIDENTS IN ALPS
“There have been only two other serious accidents in the Alps,” said Mr. A. P. Harper, of the Alpine Club, in an interview with a “Dominion” representative yesterday, “and these were mountaineering accidents, quite distinct from the sad tragedy which occurred on Sunday.” The first, he went on to say, befell Mr. R. S. Low, who was coming over Graham’s Saddle (8800 ft.) by himself from the West Coast to the Hermitage. Breaking his leg, he crawled about two miles, and was discovered just in time under the shelter of a large boulder. He recovered, and was now in England. The second accident, a more tragic one, befell Captain King and Guides Darby and Thompson, two of the finest guides that New Zealand had ever had. This happened about 10.000 ft. up, when they were descending Mount Cook. They were overwhelmed by an avalanche, and it was only quite recently (portion missing)
Rangi Ruru she continued her musical studies, becoming an accomplished pianist. She was a member of the Aeolian Club.
Miss Doris Brown had had considerable experience of alpine climbing. About six years ago she made a very difficult climb on Mount Cook. She had also done a lot of climbing on the Franz Josef Glacier. She was a niece of Mr. Guy Mannering, one of the best known of New Zealand alpinists. Her uncle played a big part in the development of the Mount Cook area andd his preliminary work enabled the peak to be climbed.
Miss Helena Keane was employed as a clerk with W. Williamson and Co., builders and contractors, Montreal Street, a position which she had occupied for the past eight years. She was a particularly efficient worker and had an excellent career at school. Miss Keane was spending the last day of a fortnight’s vacation at Mount Cook. She was a daughter of Mrs. I. Keane.
BLOMFIELD A MEDICAL STUDENT.
Acting-Guide E. Blomfield was 20 years old. He was a son of the late Dr. E. E. Blomfield and his mother, now the wife of Dr. McKellar, is a daughter of Sir John Sinclair. Mr. Blomfield was born at Dunedin and was educated at the John McGlashan College, subsequently attending the School of Medicine at Otago University. He had just passed his second year examination. He was a keen alpinist and spent all his vacations at Mount Cook acting as an amateur guide. He was very popular with the alpine climbers. He had climbed all the minor peaks, and this year he had taken up a lot of equipment, with the idea of climbing Mount Cook next month. Among the peaks he bad climbed this season were tlie Footstool and Mount Hamilton. Guide Hilgendorf. who found the bodies, is a son of Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, of Lincoln Agricultural College.
VIOLENT STORMS RAGING
BODIES NOT RECOVERED YET
GUIDE’S THEORY OF DISASTER
By Telegraph. — Press Association, Timaru, January 20.
The latest news from The Hermitage received at 11.30 to-night is to the effect that an effort was made to-day to recover the bodies, but the weather made it impossible to reach the scene of the tragedy. It is understood that a relief party will be organised to-morrow morning. The weather in the district is still bad and violent storms are raging. The tragedy occurred as the party was making its way down the centre of the glacier, the most difficult part of the journey having been traversed.
Guide Hilgendorf advances the theory that the party was struck by lightning.
An inquest will probably be opened at The Hermitage to-morrow.
Considerable difficulty is being experienced by motorists endeavouring to reach The Hermitage from Timaru, as heavy rain has made some parts of the route almost impassable. Many cars are being held up in the mountain regions. -Dominion, 21/1/1930.
BODIES NOT YET RECOVERED
Victims of Mt. Cook Tragedy
VIOLENT STORMS RAGING
Lightning May Have Caused Deaths
No news has been received of the recovery of the bodies of the five victims of the Mt. Cook tragedy. Violent storms have prevented parties from reaching the glacier. It is believed possible that the victims were struck by lightning, hut this theory cannot be confirmed until the bodies have been examined.
Press Association TIMARU, Monday.
Latest news from the Hermitage received at 11.30 o’clock tonight is to the effect that an effort was made today to recover the bodies of the victims of the Mount Cook tragedy, but the weather made it impossible to reach the scene. A relief party will be organised tomorrow morning. The weather in the district is still rough and violent storms are raging. The tragedy occurred as the party was making its way down the centre of the glacier, the most difficult part of the journey having been traversed.
Guide Hilgendorf advances the theory that the party was struck by lightning.
An inquest will probably be opened at the Hermitage tomorrow. Considerable difficulty is being experienced by motorists endeavouring to reach the Hermitage from Timaru as heavy rain has made some parts of the route almost impassable. Many cars are being held up in the mountain regions. -Sun, 21/1/1930.
ALPINE TRAGEDY
SEARCH PARTY’S SUCCESS
VICTIMS’ BODIES RECOVERED
EFFORTS IN STORM.
By Telegraph — Press Association. TIMARU, Jan. 21.
A large party that left for the scene of the Tasman Glacier tragedy recovered the bodies and camped for the night at the Ball Hut, which they reached shortly after 10 o’clock.
Strenuous efforts made yesterday were rendered futile on account of the terrible weather conditions on the glacier.
To-day the weather was still unfavourable. A violent electrical storm accompanied by driving rain and hail has been raging in the Alps since Sunday morning. Chief Guide Vic. Williams is in charge of the search party. -Hawera Star, 22/1/1930.
THE ALPINE TRAGEDY.
EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.
GUIDE TELLS STORY.
FINDING OF THE BODIES.
TERBIBLE JOURNEY TO HUT.
BATTLE WITH ELEMENTS.
[BY TELEGRAPH. CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday.
"After I left the Malte Brun hut the blizzard increased in intensity, vivid flashes of lightning cleaving the heavens. Conditions were so unpleasant that the metal head of my ice axe sparkcd and sang whenever the lightning struck it. I was compelled to tie the axe to the end of two Crampton straps. I then dragged it behind me."
The foregoing was a portion of a statement by Guide Hilgendorf, who discovered the bodies of the ill fated party after the blizzard on the Tasman Glacier on Sunday, made at the inquest concerning the deaths of the four young women and the guide, which was held at the Hermitage this afternoon. Those who lost their lives were Doris Herbert Brown, of Rangiora; Dorothy M. Smith, of Auckland; Helena Keane, of Christchurch; Mary Monteath, of Christchurch; and Edward J. Blomfield of thes Hermitage staff.
Mr. E. Mac Donald, J.P., of Fairlie, acted as coroner, with a jury of four. Constable A. Mackintosh, of Fairlie, conducted the proceedings for the police, Mr. L. E. Finch, of Timaru, appeared in the interests of the Mount Cook Tourist Company, and Mr. W. D. Campbell, also of Timaru, represented the relatives of Guide Blomfield.
Guide Very Experienced.
The first witness was .Alexander Sinclair, solicitor, of Dunedin, who identified the body of Guide Blomfield, who was a son of the late Dr. E. H. Blomfield. Geoffrey Gould Wollery, assistant-manager of the Hermitage, identified the bodies of the four young women, who, he said, had been guests at the Hermitage. He said that on January 18 the four left the Malte Brun hut in charge of Guide Blomfield. They were all in good health and fit to make the trip.
Charles Digby Elms, licenses of the Hermitage, and manager for the Mount Cook Tourist Company, said Blomfield had been employed by the company as a guide for the past two seasons. He was a professional guide and a very experienced man. Guests had spoken very highly of him during the several periods he had been at the Hermitage. Prior to the last two seasons he visited the Hermitage, and had done a great deal of climbing.
All Well And Happy.
Charles Hilgendorf, employed, as a guide at the Hermitage for the past two seasons, said that on January 16 he left the Hermitage with a party for the Malte Brun Hut. He was at that hut when Guide Blomfield arrived with a party of four ladies, on January 18. On the following day Guide Blomfield and his party left the Malte Brun Hut, at 10.30 a.m., to return to the Hermitage. Witness told Blomfield that he would follow after he had tidied the hut. It was raining slightly when Blomfield's party left. At that time witness did not think it would be a rough day. When the girls left they all appeared to be well and happy. They were clothed much as were all women who visited the hut. Witness tidied the hut and followed them about an hour and a-half afterwards. It was raining very heavily, with lightning and thunder, and as he continued his journey the weather became worse, and a gale sprang up.
Discovery of the Bodies.
When witness reached the glacier the condition of the ice was very bad, and he had had to put on crampons. Even with crampons the going was very difficult. The blizzard was the worst that he had known. Just as he reached De la Beche Corner he saw a woman lying on the ice, and he discovered that she was dead. She was lying face downwards in a hollow in the ice, having apparently been sheltering from the wind. He saw no disfigurement of any sort.
About 30yds. further on he found another woman. Her face was cut on the cheek, but he did not take particular notice of it. About 10 yards further on there were two more women, one of them with her face under water. The other was lying on top or beside her. They were both dead. He pulled them out of the water, on to the hard ice and went on to the Ball Hut.
Very soon after he left the bodies the weather improved and he made good time. The bodies were about six miles from the Ball Hut. Witness reached the Ball Hut about 3.30 p.m., a little more than three hours and a-half after he had left Malte Brun. He found the bodies about 2.30 p.m.. He reported the tragedy to the, guide in charge at the Ball Hut. At the time he discovered the bodies of the women he did not see that of Guide Blomfield, probably because he was crawling on the ice when the blizzard was raging.
Crawling on the Ice.
Witness said he crawled on his hands and knees to the corner. The wind was so severe that he was unable to stand up. "I could do nothing else but crawl," he added. He said the storm from the „ north-west came down the Rudolph Glacier, striking the Tasman Glacier at De la Beche Corner. The bodies were at the worst part of the glacier for weather, being exposed to the wind coming down the Rudolph Glacier.
To Mr. Campbell witness said: I have been following up mountaineering since I was very young. I have known Guide Blomfield for two years, I found him a man of sound judgment and always careful. for the safety of his parties. There was no reason why Blomfield should not have left the Malte Brun Hut on Sunday morning. I have left the Malte Brun Hut under conditions similar to those existing when Guide Blomfield left. -NZ Herald, 23/1/1930.
LATE MISS MONTEATH.
FUNERAL AT TIMARU.
The funeral of Miss Mary Heather Monteath, of Christchurch, one of the victims of the disaster on the Tasman glacier, took place yesterday morning. Miss Monteath was the daughter of Mr J. K. Monteath, and the late Mrs Monteath, who prior to her marriage was Miss Muriel Devenish-Meares, of Timaru. The cortege left the Timaru Hospital for the Timaru Cemetery. The Rev. H. W. Monaghan officiated at the burial, which was of a private nature. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. P. Newman, C. H. Gresson, I. Hamilton, and H. W. Lomas. The Mount Cook Tourist Co. was represented by Mr J. Richards. The sympathy of relatives and friends was evidenced by the large number of beautiful wreaths received from all over New Zealand. -Press, 24/1/1930.
"CLOTHING INADEQUATE" DECLARES DOCTOR
LESSON OF THE ALPINE TRAGEDY
Reckless and Thoughtless Tourists Must Be Saved From Themselves
Are adequate precautions taken at New Zealand's alpine resorts to ensure that visitors are properly equipped in the matter of clothing against the fierce and icy blasts of the snow-clad region?
This very important question is raised by the recent tragedy at Mount Cook, when Guide John Edward Eldridge Blomfield and four women tourists, Misses Doris Herbert Brown, of Rangiora; Dorothy M. Smith, of Auckland; Helena Keane, of Christchurch, and Mary Monteath, of Christchurch, perished in an unexpected blizzard that swept the exposed point of De La Beche "corner."
At the inquest, evidence was given that the clothing of most of the dead girls was totally inadequate in such a blizzard, and it is just possible that had they been properly equipped for mountaineering the dreadful tragedy would never have occurred. The verdict returned was of death from exposure, through being caught in a blizzard.
MANAGEMENT MUST TAKE STERN STAND
(From "N.Z. Truth's" Timaru Representative.)
In view of all the circumstances, the Hermitage management would be well advised to insist that all visitors should be properly equipped as regards clothing, and to authorise its guides to refuse to allow tourists not properly equipped to accompany expeditions.
Too many visitors to alpine resorts, not realizing the dangers arising from blizzards, are reckless and indifferent, and never stop to think of taking what are obvious precautions.
The majority certainly are amenable to the suggestions of the management, but there are always a few who think that they know more than the men who have lived for years in the snow-clad Alps.
Care is Needed
It is the management's duty to protect these people from themselves, even though it means that, for a time, the Hermitage authorities make themselves decidedly unpopular.
Every precaution should be taken, and if visitors refuse to take these precautions of their own accord, then the Hermitage officials should force them to do so. In other words, it should be made a condition of residence at the Hermitage that every visitor agrees to place himself entirely under the control of the officials, and to agree to obey them in all such matters as these.
Possibly, in this particular case, warmer and thicker clothing would not have saved the lives of the four women, but there is just the chance that it would have, and the evidence given at the inquest makes it clear (portion missing)
as were all women who visited the huts."
Each of the deceased wore the customary alpine boots and riding breeches, but their underclothing, with one exception, was inadequate for such an excursion. "I have examined the bodies of the five victims," said Dr. Fraser. "The clothes on all the deceased were wet, but did not display any great amount of damage. Miss Brown was wearing light (portion missing)
doctor proves conclusively, that the biggest problem facing the management at the Hermitage is the visitor who has to be protected against his or her own recklessness and refusal to take ordinary commonsense precautions."
The blizzard which, caused the disaster sprang up with tragic suddenness. The weather was comparatively fine when the unfortunate party left the Malte Brun Hut, but within the short space; of two hours De La Beche "corner" — the scene of the tragedy — was the concentration point of a cyclone, which swept over the Main Divide, down the Rudolph glacier, thence to the ice-fields of the Tasman.
Guide's Search
There, about 2.30 p.m., Guide Hilgendorf, of the Hermitage staff, stumbled across a woman lying on the ice. She was dead. About 30 yards away lay another woman, and a little further down the glacier, two others lay huddled together. All were dead.
"The lightning was terrible," Hilgendorf told "Truth." "I could not see very far ahead. There was no sign of 'Teddy' Blomfield, who guided the party."
Hilgendorf searched for the dead guide, but with no success, and notwithstanding that the blizzard was increasing in violence, and that the De La Beche bivouac was less than a mile away, he dashed on through the storm to the Ball Hut for assistance. He arrived at his destination an hour or so later in the last stages of (portion missing)
that Blomfield left a message for the assistant-manager of the Hermitage (Mr. G. G. Woolley) asking if arrangements could be made for one of the other guides to lead the party to Malte Brun on the Saturday prior to the tragedy.
Hand of Fate
At any rate the hand of Fate did not intervene. The message was not received by Mr. Woolley until it was too late to make an alteration in the guides programme for the Saturday.
And so Blomfield set out on a journey from which he was destined never to return.
On the day following the tragedy an unsuccessful attempt was made to recover the bodies of the four young women and the dead guide, but the weather continued unfavorable, and the search party, led by Chief Guide Vic. Williams, of the Hermitage, was compelled to abandon the effort, an electrical storm endangering the lives of the party.
The next day, however, saw a return to more favorable conditions, and a strong party guides and men from the Public Works Department's road camp at the Ball Hut made the journey over the ice to De La Beche, successfully recovering the bodies.
Leaving De La Beche, the search party followed the Husky Trail — used by Byrd's dogs — down the glacier. The "going" was laboriously slow, the stretchers being exceedingly difficult to handle on the treacherous ice, while (portion missing)
that stricter regulations should be adopted and enforced at the Hermitage.
Fatal Journey
On the day preceding the disaster, which took place on a Sunday, Guide Blomfield's little party arrived at Malte Brun Hut from the Ball Hut. They spent the night there. On the way up the Tasman glacier, Dr. J. C,- Bradshaw, accompanied by Guide Mentz Englestaad, met the young travellers, who then appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Guide Hilgendorf, who originally was with the Bradshaw party, remained behind at Malte Brun to make preparations for the Blomfield party. The night was spent at Malte Brun, and Guide Blomfield and the four girls left at 10.30 the following morning for the Ball Hut — a journey which they were destined not to accomplish alive.
The fact that he stayed behind undoubtedly saved the life of Hilgendorf, who made the gruesome discovery of the bodies of the victims of the tragedy.
After having cleaned up the hut at Malte Brun. Hilgendorf set out on the lone-trek to the Ball Hut, and it was (portion missing)
drill trousers, with a silk-wool combination. She was well protected about the chest with three light woollen vests and a blouse.
Miss Monteath's clothing did not provide adequate protection for the chest. . .Miss Smith wore riding trousers and a jersey, with insufficient underclothes. . . . Miss Keane was clothed in a suede lumber jacket and khaki riding trousers; her underclothing was inadequate. . . .
Biggest Problem
Blomfield's chest was bare of clothing, and he was wearing a pair of flight grey slacks and airtex underpants. I understand that Blomfield gave some of his outer garments to the girls, and that his shirt had been removed when resuscitation was attempted. . . ."
The evidence of Dr. Fraser reveals that the Hermitage management should take some action. As one experienced alpine climber remarked to "Truth's" representative at the Hermitage, "The evidence of the (portion missing)
exhaustion, having covered a distance of some six miles.
Terrors of Storm
When the storm was at its zenith, Hilgendorf was menaced by lightning. He was compelled to tie a couple of crampon straps to his ice-axe and drag it behind him, otherwise he would have been forced to discard this valuable portion of his equipment.
It is also significant that Blomfield's ice-axe was found some distance from his body, as if he had thrown it away.
Soon after Hilgendorf had arrived with the news of his tragic discovery, Guide M. Bowie led a search party to De La Beche "corner," where the bodies were found.
Blomfleld lay face downwards on the ice. Apparently he was making for Malte Brun when life departed from a body battered by the storm beyond all limit of Human. endurance.
Did Guide Blomfield have a premonition that he would not return from Sunday's journey over the ice? It has subsequently been disclosed (portion missing)
considerable care was required in negotiating the crevasses which gaped on all sides. At Pine Apple Rock — three miles from the Ball Hut — the party was met by a relief party, under Guide A. Dewar, and the bodies were conveyed to a point within a mile of the Ball Hut, darkness compelling the men to abandon their task for the night.
Early Search
The men were out again at 5 a.m. next day, and shortly before noon anxious watchers at the Hermitage saw a pathetic funeral procession crossing the bridge which spans the leaping foam of the Tasman River that springs from the foot of the glacier.
The tragedy has shown the necessity for alpine tourists being protected against their own recklessness and lack of experience, and it constitutes a lesson which, in the future, should make tourists to Mount Cook adopt all commonsense precautions that the Hermitage management may suggest.
(portion missing) at the exposed point of De La Beche "corner" that he stumbled across the bodies of Blomfield's party.
At first it was thought that the victims were struck down by lightning, but this theory has now been disproved.
The fact that the ill-fated party perished in such an incredibly short space of time unquestionably supports the opinion of Dr. C. S. Fraser, of Timaru, that they were inadequately clothed to meet a blizzard.
"I am forced to the conclusion," said the doctor, in evidence at the inquest, "that the clothing of the deceased was totally inadequate in such a blizzard."
The girls, when found by Guide C. Hilgendorf, in his own words, were clothed much (portion missing) -NZ Truth, 30/1/1930.
NEW HUT ERECTED ON TASMAN GLACIER.
WILL BE REFUGE FOR CLIMBERS IN STORMS.
Situated on the Tasman Glacier at one of the most dangerous storm centres in the Southern Alps, the Memorial Hut at De La Beche Corner, which was opened on Saturday, will be a valuable refuge for weary or weatherbound climbers.
The hut is a memorial to the party which perished near it in January of last year and an engraved copper plate in the hut reads: “De La Beche Memorial Refuge. Erected by relatives and friends in memory of John Edward Eldridge Blomfield, Doris Herbert Brown, Mary Heather Monteath, Helena Keane and Dorothy Marion Smith, who perished in a great thunderstorm on the Tasman Glacier — January 19, 1930.” On the outside of the hut is a carved panel: “De La Beche Memorial Refuge.”
The hut is a striking testimony to the skill and determination of the builders. It was sufficiently advanced for the builders to live in it within four weeks of the materials leaving Timaru.
The cost of the hut is about £325, nearly all of which amount was subscribed by friends and relatives of those in whose memory it has been erected.
The hut was opened by Mr A. P. Harper, president of the New Zealand Alpine Club. The party of about fifteen, left the Hermitage early in the morning and breakfasted at the Ball Hut. The seven miles up the Tasman to the hut were then covered.
In opening the hut, Mr Harper recalled the tragedy that had occurred near there more than a year ago. The hut, he said, would be a valuable refuge for parties making high ascents or crossing Graham’s Saddle. It would be used by Hermitage excursionists as an emergency refuge only.
Other speakers were Mr F. J. Rolleston and Mr G. E. Mannering.
The four screws securing the memorial plate were driven by Messrs Harper, Mannering and Wigley and Miss Gardner, an English alpinist.
During the week-end the new Malte Brun Hut was also opened. -Star, 6/4/1931.
No comments:
Post a Comment