THE GODLEY GLACIER

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1924, Page 4

THE GODLEY GLACIER

MANY CHANGES. WELLINGTON. Fobi-muy 22. Mr T. A. Fletcher, editor of the '•School Journal,” and his party have returned from their trip to the Alps in t la. vicinity of the Godtev Glacier, without being able to do any important climbs owing to the changes in the gander and the riverOcd. Great changehave taken place since last season. The liver had developed three branches. all oi considerable extent. Oni- stream had crossed to the other side of the valley and was now Hewing down on i he mouth-eastern side undermining the hillsides ill places and making travel|i;,.i a very -slow process, l pint arrita I at the terminal face ol the glacier, finihvi changer. were encountered. V, hel'e ii was formerly possible to i/h.loiii access lo the glacier by means of . he deposit of moraine and block ice, the parly was met by a lushing torrent of water, which had apparently lirst undermined the debris and then carried n away. The water, lo an unknown depth and some thirty oi forty feet in v,blt'n. rushed past, carrying with ii 1.1 go blocks of ice and enormous hotildi r , the grind of which could he hear/, some distance away. The scene tv:i, one of utter desolation, hut at the same time it was most wonderfully f.i-<-iunt-il i: r. On iln- far .side of tlie stream a wall of ice rose sheer to a height oi JV) to 2(H) feet, and lying nbuut in :dl direct ions were enormous blocks oi ice each of which weighed several lulls. The party traversed tile moraine fm some distance and occasionally it vas !ieec>-:iry to travel last in order tp avoid a danger zone caused by si ones falling i'rum the dill's above. Although a careful survey was made v, iilt the object of finding a safe crossing, none ” n> found, and the return journey was made with the disappointing knowledge that no climbing would he possible this season. Several days wore'.spent at the old base camp site, hut a week's had

wi at her finally drove the party back to tlie Wilson lint and before the weather settled down again, it was nei r--sni v to pack up and return (o <ivilis:iPu’iug the trip a lnt ol iiselul information was (iblaiued. and Mr Craw!i rd was aide in carry out a great deal or valuable work mi behalf of his department. whlrli i.-, at present busily employed in I lie preparation of a map covering (me alpine district? ol the cmnth Island. A large number of photographs weie taken, which ere cm Fcried to ie interesting "hen compared with those ol lamed during previous -e:\-on-. Ibex will cciiauily slum tinenormous change.- whivh have been censed by the heavy wiut-.-r of last | year, ami the exceptionally big thaw in the spring, followed by the v hat •• ■■ ma| storms during the ■ he: 11111111 .-]■ mom!:;.. Tl:i l.v are i expansible for the gloat changev lift'll " ill make it impossible ;,, obtain access at the glacier from the diet. come.