MOUNTAIN CONQUERED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1929, Page 8

MOUNTAIN CONQUERED

ENGLISH ALPINIST’S FEAT. TI.MARU, February 25. To Mr H. E. L. Porter, the wellknown English alpinist, and party, has fallen the achievement c'f sealing Alt. Teichelmann (10,450 feet), which was the last mountain over 10,000 feet in altitude in the main divide of the Southern Alps to remain unclimbed. Mr Porter returned to Timaru from the Hermitage this afternoon, and stated that the party which.-sealed the peak was comprised of Guide Vic. Williams, Miss Kate Gardiner, and himself.

They left the Haast hut at three o’clock in the morning, and reached the top of Mt. Silberhorn (10.750 feet) at 0 o’clock. “From -Mt. Silberhorn,” continued Air Porter, “to the southwest was a fairly level snow ridge lor about three-quarters of a mile, ending ill two rocky pivots at which the main divide pivots to the south and towards Mt. Dampier. The views of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman 'from the peak of Mt. Teichelmann really took one’s breath away,” remarked Mr Porter They were simply marvellous. On Saturday, Mr Porter made the ascent of Alt. Green (MOO feet), which was also a very fine climb. In referring to the present mountaineering season. Air Porter said that the bad weather during January had made conditions very difficult indeed, and in some instances it had been impossible to make any attempt to tackle some of the peaks. On the whole, it had been a. disappointing season for alpinists. A tremendous amount 'ol hard work had been done, with very little results, and yet 'from his point of view bad weather conditions and their aftermath only made him the keener to come back to make further attempts. In Switzerland, he continued, it was possible to map out a season’s climbing, and carry it into effect without a hitch, hut in the Southern Alps there was a delightful uncertainty which enhanced the ple.isures of mountaineering. Mr Porter, accompanied hy Mrs Porter, a New Zealander, who is also a keen alpinist, left bv the second express tor the north this afternoon, en route to England. Air Porter anticipated that he will return to the ■Dominion in two years’ time, when In will attempt further ascents.