LOST IN THE ALPS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1993, 25 February 1914, Page 8

LOST IN THE ALPS.

CUMBING PARTY MISSING ON

MOUNT COOK.

TRAGEDY FEARED. ENGLISH TOURIST AND TWO GUIDES. < i (By Telegraph.—Press Association,) Chrlstchurch, February 24. Tlie Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Miriisin Charge of Tourists and Health Resorts, this afternoon received an urgent telegram from • the : Hormitage, at Mount Cook, from Mr. B. M. Wilson, general manager of tho Tourist Department, dispatched while en route from the Hermitage to tho AVest Coast, via Copeland Pass. ■ \ Tlio message read as follows "I regrot to inform you that I fear that a serious accident has occurred on Mount Cook. An English, climber, Mr. S. Ij. King, with Guides Thompson and Richmond, left .on Friday afternoon to climb Mount Cook from the Tasman side. They wero seen on the summit at noon on Thursday by Messrs. Turner and Dennistoun, who were at the Haast bivouac, and who wero up on the glacier dome at 4 p.m. 'looking for them. Their steps down again were picked up that evening by those climbing from the Hooker side of Mount Cook—Mr. Friend, with Guides Conrad, Kane, and Brass.

"This party followed the tracks until they were obliterated by a huge avalanche, wliich came off an overhanging icewall on" tho Linda Glacier, between, tho Silberhorn and Tiechelmann Peak. Tho glacier is very broken hero, and if the.party were'caught, they would be swept into a crevasse and would never be seen again. "Mr. Trevor's party '. readied bivouac at about 2.30 a.m., where Messrs. Turner and Dennistoun were proposing to start, and on finding no trace of Mr. King and his guides, they became alarmed, and reported on their arrival' l at the Hermitage." "Chief Guide Graham was with us at the Hooker Hut last night, going' to Copeland, when the'two guides came from the Hermitage with news that Mr. Thompson's party had not returned. Guide Graham immediately returned to the Hermitage, in dreadful weather, and jeft at daylight with four guides, and Conrad and Kane, to search for the party, but. neither lie nor Kano hold out any'hope of finding'.the missing men." ' Later. It is expected that it will be two days before the search party returns. The Hon. R. H. Hhodes has cabled the British Alpine Club asking them to communicate with Mr. King's people. Timaru, February 24. Further inquiry at the Hermitage elicits little further than what was stated m the telegram to the Minister. Mr. Friend's party had. intended to make tho Traverse and. when tho two guides arrived at the Hooker Hut; Guide Graham, supposed-that they wero Mr. Friend's, party; ■ 1 On hearing, the news Guide Graham ;set'out in'a. vile night for the Hermitage to organise a Search party, which Dennistoun and Turner will join.

Mr. Ivinp was a well-known member of the British Alpine Club. Guide Thompson is a West Coaster, and for some years was Graham's first lieutenant. Guide Richmond belonged to Willowbridge and was also an experienced guide.