N.Z. ALPS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1927, Page 3

N.Z. ALPS

MR AMERY’S ENTHUSIASM. WELLINGTON, Dec. 11. Looking extremely fit alter his mountain climbing exploits in the 'Southern Alps, jir Amery arrived in Wellington to-day. Interviewed by a representative ol the " Press,” Mr Amery said he had had a wonderful time in the New Zealand Alps and that he was fortunate enough in the weather to he able to do a good deal more than he could have normally expected. It was true that a sudden break in the weather on the afternoon of December sth, lasting till the morning of the 7th, made it impossible for him to do Mount Cook, which he had otherwise hoped to tryon the 7th or Bth, but apart from that he was able to carry out a programme which not only gave him some firstclass climbing, but also afforded him a good opportunity to see something ol the main alpine chain on both sides. Going up as, far as the Lcndcnfeldt Pass at 2.30 a.in. on Friday, said Mr Amery, they started in glorious moonlight for the minarets (10,058 leeti. Beyond the point to which steps had been kicked the snow was deep and crusted, making the going slow, so that they only reached the summit ridge about 10.30, mounting the actual ice cone of the highest minaret about an hour later, after cutting steps all the way. Their intention was to find a route down the western side of the mountain to Franz Joscl Glacier, and the route eventually selected was a very very steep face of hard, frozen snow, leading down from De Ua Bee-lie, just east of Graham’s Saddle, necessitating the cutting of steps lor 700 teet. I lie next few hours were spent on the Upper Franz Josef Glacier, the party passing through deep snow to the ruins ol the Aimer Hut. below which they had to find their way through the icefall to Defiance Hut, a task of some difficultyand great expedition if they were to avoid being benighted on the glacier. However, they reached Defiance Hut soon after nine o’clock after nearly

nineteen hours’ continuous climbing on snow and ice. TRIBUTE TO PETER GRAHAM. “ The whole day was a most interesting one,” said Air Amerv, “ not only as regards the wonderlul views of the whole range in every direction on both sides, but also in the technical interest of the climbing’, which aflorded ample opportunity for Peter Graham to exhibit his remarkable skill and judgment in finding his way through difficult and broken snow laces or on crevassod glaciers. I have climbed with many of the very finest guides in the Alps in Switzerland, and I should not hesitate to put him in the first-class with any of them.

ALPS CONTRASTED. “ Both from the point of view of scenery and as a field lor mountain sport the New Zealand Alps can hold their own wiili those of Switzerland or the Rockies. Unless it he the eastern face of Monte Rosa. I know of no single view in the Alps which can compare for impressiveness with the view of Cook and 1 usmau fiom Glacier Dome, or any view of snow, mountains, and glaciers generally find than that from -Mafic Brim Hut. w

there is nothing in the world that l know of to compare with the striking contrast between the almost tropical verdure of the AYest Coast hush an 1 the Great Franz Josef Glacier descending right through it from the world of snow above. The 1’ ran/. Joseph Glacier is certainly, taking it all round the most beautiful glacier 1 have seen anywhere. As an all-round field To. mountain sport, too, I doubt if the New Zealand Alps can be beaten anywhere. It is true there are not quite so many rock climbs of the first magnitude as there are in the Alps, though plenty at a somewhat lower altitude, hut for snow and icecrnft of the first order, for ski-ing, and for ski-moun-taineering the opportunities seem to me to he quite unequalled. “ The wonderful opportunity which the whole of this Alpine country offers to New Zealanders,” Air Amerv re-

marked. “ seems to me to have been hardly realised. The ordinary tourist info, illation, no doubt, draws some attention to the Southern Alps, but even then it does not give to them or to the western side in particular, as much importance as I should be inclined t> give them as compared, for instance, with a district like Rotorua. But. after all, the attracting of tourists from outside is only a secondary matter to what the mountains can offer to New Zealanders themselves. Switzerland. for instance, makes large sums from the annual influx of tourists t> their mountains, but slie gains far more in health, vigour, and efficiency from the fact that f.e Alps become tlie playground and training ground of below it people. I see no reason why, like the Swiss, New Zealanders should not find their main recreation and training

in mind, limb, and courage in their own beautiful mountains. There is an unlimited scope there for holidays of infinite variety and interest well within the means ot every class.” In conclusion, Mr Amery expressed the greatest admiration for the scenery on the drive through Westland from Cook’s river to Nelson. He considers that the road itself is wonderfully good for motor driving.