MAGNIFICENT SCENERY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1928, Page 3

MAGNIFICENT SCENERY

NEW ROUTE OVER- SOUTHERN ALPS.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 19

A new yioiintaineering route across the Southern Alps from the Hermitage to the Karangarua River has just been explored by a party consisting of Air A. P. Harper, Miss Rosamund Harper, who accompanied Mr A tilery' last year. Messrs S. A. Viren, of Wellington, R. Lucas, of Nelson, and Charles Turner Williams, of Havelock North.

'The parly crossed the saddle at the head of the Muelicr Glacier into the head of the Laiulshorough River, which flows fur Go miles into the I heist River. Then they went lip the M’K or row Glacier a the source of the Landsboroiii'.di, for a couple ol miles or so. then over the Karangarua Pass

ffi.VJI feet) on the Karangarua River, camping on Christmas Flat and thence down the river to the AYest Coast settlements. The latter part of the journey is very rough and would take two full days in fine weather. This is the first party to cross by the rout* mentioned. It is one of fine scenery with large glaciers and magnificent gorges and probably •embracing some of the most rugged and precipitin:* mountains in the Alps.

It will he many years belore and attempt can be made to open up this difficult country for tourists. Under the present conditions everyone in the party must carry provisions and camping requisites. Ihe descent of the western side is very arduous and exacting. and should not he tided without a leader experienced in that class nf rountrv. 'The Karangarua Ri\ei was first explored and mapped out by Air Harper with a Maori companion 31 years ago. Tliev reached the head of tlie river at Christmas, 1894, crossed the pass on to the APKorrow Glacier, and explored the south hank of the Land.shorough River down to the junction of ihe Haast River. I hey continued their explorations for six months, depending chiefly on birds for food. Birds were then very plentiful, but now stoats and weasels have almost exterminated them.

The only party that has been into the country since was that of the Government- Geologist, Dr Macintosh Bell, in 1908, who, with Guide Clarke, ascended from the West Coast intending to find a pass over to the Hermitage, but he failed to do so and had to return.