SOUTHERN ALPS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1923, Page 4

SOUTHERN ALPS.

A GREAT ('LIMBING CENTRE. IMPROVEMENTS AT FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER. WELLINGTON, Oct. HI. .Mr Peter Graham, the well-known mountaineer, who, with his brothtr, now owns the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, has been in Welingten during the past lew days making arrangements in connection with the improvement in the facilities for tourist tralhc on the western side of the high flips, which i- year by year increasing m volume and which now that trains tire running through the Otira tunnel to the Coast, will further iuiivas.'. The Grahams have recently doubled the accommodation at the Glacier Hotel, in anticipation of a large number of visitors: likely te he attracted thither through the opening or’ the Hokitika Exhibition on December loth. r l tie purchase of alltine equipment and various matters lor the eomlorl ot visitors have been engaging Mr Peter Graham's attention. Eventually it is hoped to establish another hut at Alma with a view to popularising winter sports there. Ihe upper basin of the Franz Josef is eminently suitable for lohoganning and ski-ing. pastimes that could he indulgi’,! in there in summer as well as winter. Now that the main rivers along the West Coast road tire all LMged. the motor tour through the Duller Gorge from Nelsmi to the Glacier, thence to Greymoiuh and on to Otira. can he done in comfort amid scenic surroundings such ns few countries in the civili. parts "l the world can lay claim to. The western side ol the range as a climbing centre-i.-. almost unrivalled. U has to a certain extent been exploited some years ago bv lour well-known alI in,' climbers, the Rev Mr Newton. Dr Teiehelniaiin, Air Low, and Alex Graham. hut tin! lirst ascents of Tasman and tlardinger from the west ol the main divide have vet to hi.* made, front the basin of th.- Fox Glacier some magnificent mountains can lie climbed, notably—Tasman ill.!7oft.f. Zendcnlelot (1 (kilo Ift.). Toi res Peak (over 11.00! MY.), llansi (ftNMAft.), llarditiger (lO.rmit.). Douglas Peak (lO.O'iHl't.). (Racier Peak (10.017 ft.), and Conway (Bailiff.’) In fact, the Fox Glacier drains the highest part- ei the New Zealand alps, except Alt Cook. From the head of the Franz -fo-cf Glacier several line climbs can lie made, including the traverse of de la Peeke (USI-dl.) nod Hie Minarets (10.00.5 U.) FRANZ JOSEF GI.ACIF.R ADVANCING. During the .'corse of an interview. Air IVier Graham mentioned the interestin.; fact that the Franz losef Clnrier lets begun aiiotlivr period of advance similar to (hat which took place sixteen veal'.- ago. in 1007. From that, dale there luel been a period of recession. Now the gin i r is coming forward again, anti has advanced between seven all,l eight chains where its terminal face was last year, ft is now _ coining forward again to t!t. vog tai'.on lino, ao.l i |.. ■ ice pinnacles are more \. mu hit ill I I an they have been for several years, while, the eel.oiling ol the ice is r.-mark-j. brilliant. The pic,out. advance has’ nothing to do with lie recent climatic . hang.--. Hie cause being a period o! heave snow fell dating a good Ilia li v car- back. Hie frauz Jo-.-l is. however, one o! the fastest moving glacier- m the world. 11;.; ,-ito iho Defiance 11 ui n moves n Hu- rate oi from tin;. • in lour feet a dev. D lies esi i laa.fd that, in places it Hows at ihe rate of 1 A or Pi feet a 'lav. Even at the snoot Here i- a movemt ol < ■ iron; to l' l inches a dav. AX ALPINE GOLF LINKS. Out of !,he attractions in store tor visitors ill tie; Franz Josef region is a golf course of nine holes which the Grahams are lasing off near the hotel. The course is a Hide and a quarter in length and is situated in tin- niid-i of sconerv that is grand a- well as beautiful. There is a line natural turf, and pulling g!V"Us c.::i he eusilv made. Another ailratlloii is lh*e drive bv inis to the .Map mrika Lakes, ami it is the iiitdil ion of tie- Graham- to pul a launch oil Lake Mapoitriha. Eonio American and Scottish muri-is who have rec.'utlv done tlm A) ( s:-l trip were surprised and delighted with tlm l.eain \ am! grandeur of Ihe ‘’ ' 'l!,.' Ameri-ans had ttot In art! m Hits eoutitrs a- a s, .-ate re.-ei t . am! in|..ud,.! ■ouug .utlv to AmtraUa. hut were diverted liv the glow tag m counts given l.v a t It:• i-I<•!n:r< 1 1 g uth-nian who Wits a fellow-traveller in a t ra is- i ’■< ci lie steamer. Now Hun Hm t>i ir:: Tunnel is fuii-hc! tlm plan for such visitors genoralv is to t inito ihrough to Chrislclinri h and then continue their -igatseeing via .Mount Conk, and Lakes Wank a. Wuknlipn and Te Anau. ‘olive going as far as Milford Sound. H is now"~bcing generally realised that as soon us tlto (iovernment can allord it improvenienls must he made ul Ic Allan and Milford in tlm interests of the lonrist traffic. Under tfie old Liberal regime money was poiire ! out like water at Rotorua, which docs not in any tray compare with ihe soiiilmru woude'.-laml. Tlie present Mini.-ic; :nCltarge of Tourists and Health Resorts i- km-wit t ohe sympatht t ic to impr..vena nts to attract louri-Ls to He son'll and il is hoped belore long to itnnmve eondit icti-i at. I c Anau and Alillord Sound. Money is already available ;,,r much-needed improvements on the rend to Te Anau. which has been in a deplorable ( im.litiou.