THE COPELAND PASS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1917, Page 4

THE COPELAND PASS.

SAFELY CROSSED IN SEPTEMBER. GUIDE GRAHAM PRAISES SCENERY. Mr Peter Graham, the wellknown Alpine guide, Ayho.se name has been associated for many years with the Mount Cook region, is visiting Christchurch, alter an interesting little trip over the Copeland Pass, the route which furnishes the most practicable approach to southern Westland from the Mount Cook Hermitage.

The Copeland Pass was first crossed in. 1895, by that great climber Fitzgerald; the passage was made a little later bv Harper. Since those days the route has gradually grown in popularity amongst summer visitants to the Alps, as it opens up some of the finest mountain scenery of Westland including the Fox and Waiau glaciers (the latter was formerly known as the Franz Josel), and a perfect wonderland ol characteristic West Coast landscape. The stages of the journey have been made easier for the tourist by the establishment of accommodation huts and a good hotel on the route, and while the passage, save in the season, is not recommended to the average visitor, Mr Graham and his wile have several times in recent years crossed the pass in the early spring.

On their most recent journey the party consisted of Guides Graham and Lipp and Mrs Graham. They j followed the usual procedure on | such expeditions, leaving, the Herj mitage late in the afternoon and ! spending the night at the Hooker i hut, altitude 3800 ft. Next day’s journey took in the climb over the Copeland Pass, whose summit lies 7000 ft above sea level. There had been a heavy fall of snow a few days before, and the going was heavy, but the weather held beautifully fine and there was no danger for such experienced climbers. Descending to Welcome Flat (1400 ft), wiiere there are hot springs and a good hut, the party inspected the new bridge which is being built over the Copeland River. This bridge, which will be finished, it is expected', by next tourist season, will prove very welcome to travellers, obviating the fording of a river uncertain in its habits.

The third day’s journey lay along a route near the Fox glacier, one of the most impressive spectacles in South Westland. After leaving the Waieka camp the party marched on to the Waiau Gorge, where there is a modern hotel, equipped with electric light and all other conveniences. The road down to the gorge was found in excellent condition, quite up to motor traffic requirements. There are also hot springs at Waiau, and this part of the journey included the famous glacier, bringing the party down to the coach terminus of the Hokitika aud Ross services.; The journey back into Canterbury lay through the Otira Gorge, the round trip including some of the finest mountain scenery in New Zealand. Mr Graham emphasises the practicability and comparative ease of the journey, even in early spring. In the coming season lie expects "a large number of visitors will undertake the journey. In fact several have already made their arrangements.