MB AMERY ON TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1927, Page 1

MB AMERY ON TOUR

ASCENT OF "MOUNT COOK ABANDONED. TIM ARC, Dec. 7. ■ After reaching a bight of 8000 feet at the Glacier Dome, above the Haast llut. the lit. Hon L. C. Al. S- Atnery, Secretary of State for the Dominions was forced to abandon lits attempt to climb Mount Cook on account of adverse weather.

'file party reached the Haast Hut on Monday, and found conditions for making an ascent of the mountain ideal. A. camp was established on the Glacier Dome, and all preparations were made to commence the climb in the early hours of Tuesday morning. During the night, however, a nor’-wester blew up, bringing torrential rain. Conditions were so had that there was no chance of commencing the attempt on Tuesday. The party hung on in the hope that the •weather would improve. Their luck was out, however, and although there was a. temptation to wait another day, it was decided to give lip the plan, and the party returned to the Ball Hut.

The journey from the Haast Hut was made after hours of solid going, in the teeth of heavy rain and wind. Air Amery was wet to the skin, but in the best of spirits, when the party reached the Ball Hut. Yesterday morning the weather had improved slightly, and the party set out for the Afalte Brun Hut. covering a ten-mile journey in four hours. From this point Mr Amerv is going to attempt some climb or other, probably the Afinarettes. The start will he

made this evening if the weather is suitable. If the climb is successful, Mr Amery will go down the West Coast side to the Franz Josef Glacier, and from there, will commence a long journey to the Wnilio Hotel, where he should arrive on Saturday or Sunday. The journey will fie broken at the defiance Hut, which is a good days’ tramp from the M inarettes. Should had weather prevent this journey, Mr Amery will return to ’I he Hermitage and to-morrow will attempt- to cross over to the II est Coast bv way of Copland Pass. Tf he is forestalled in this, he will return to Timaru.

Mr Amery is in good form for the arduous days he is spending, and is spoken of by liis party as a thorough good sport. He was told befoie he left The Hermitage, by members of the Alpine Club, that it would he impossible to climb Mount Cook ; nevertheless. he set out. accepting the statement of The Hermitage guides that, given line weather, there would be every chance of making an ascent. To an “old man nor'-wester Mr Amery owes his disappointment.