ASCENT OF THE HOCHSTETTER DOME.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11493, 28 January 1903, Page 8

ASCENT OF THE HOCHSTETTER DOME.

The first ascent of the Hoclistetter Dome for this year has been accomplished by Mr Low*, of Dunedin (says the T.mavu ■Herald"). On the 19th hist., he hn the Hermitage, where the weadhtT for tie last ten days had been delightful, and the pyaks of 'Mount Sefton and Mouiii, Cuok periectly ckar day after day. * Accompanied by guide Smith and Messrs A. R. Bloxaai and H. R. Bloxam, of Christchurch. Mr Lowe Left the Hermitage at 8 a;m-, and after a pleasant but hot walk the party arrived at the Ball Hiit at 12.40 p.m. Later on Mr Lowe and the quids proceeded on to the Malte Brun Hut, Messrs Bloxam accompanying them for about an hour over the ice of the Francis Joseph glacier, t-nd then returning to tfca Ball Hut, whew they stayed the night, and returned to the Hermitage the next day- Mr Lowe reached the Malte Brun Hut. at 8 p.m., and starting shortly before 6 a..m. tiie next morning, the 20th, ascended die Dome by 11.25 a.m., the ice and snow for the whole trip being in the most favourable condition. The view was very grand, except that the lowest part, of the West Coast was enveloped in fog, but all the peaks of the ranges were perfectly dear. The return to the Hut occupied from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m., and at 4 p.m. Mr Lowe and the guide started for the Ball Hut, which they reached at 8 p.m., and after staying the night left at 7.50 a.m. on the 2Lst for the Hermitage via tlie Ball Pass. The ascent of the pass occupied five and a half hours, and they arrived at the Hermitage at 5 p.m. The weather was exceedingly 'hot: but. otherwise die trip was a most enjoyable one. Guide Clarke and two other mJn who had proceeded some time previously over the FitzGeralld Saddle to the Copland Valley with Mr Pringie, vrho is taking photographs of that route, arrived back on the same night, the 21st. after a sixteen ihoui-s' journey from the Welcome Flat. They had a successful journey over, and Mr Pringle secured soma good photographs.