THE ALMER HUTT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1929, Page 2

THE ALMER HUTT

A FRANZ JOSEF FEATURE,

(Fcom Christchurch “Star” by W. • J , Wilson).

High up in the Southern Alps, near the head of the world-famous Franz Josef Glacier, a little band of mountaineers made history on the afternoon of Sunday , August 4th., when they, assembled for the official opening of the new Aimer Hut, a modest structure, 24ft. by 12ft. in size, which is destined to play a very important part in the future of alpine climbing in the Dominion.

Situated at an altitude of nearly 6000 ft. above sea level, the new hut fills a want that has been felt very acutely during the past few seasons owing to the remarkable increase in the popularity of alpine climbing from the West Coast side. But the hut will do more than merely provide a base for alpinists who wish to climb the many high peaks in this region—it will serve to open up what has been described by the Right Hon L. M. S. Amery, a former British Cabinet Minster, as the • finest ski-ing ground in the world.

A WINTER ATTRACTION. More than this, it is 1 expected to give a great Slip to the tourist traffic to the Franz ..Josef Glacier during the winter months. In the past very few tourists have visited the glacier during the winter, although actually it is the time of the year when much of the best weather is experienced on the West Coast.

Of the glorious beauty of the Franz Josef Glacier much has been written, and, indeed, it is impossible to exaggerate its magnificent charm- and the delights of its colouring. Coming down through rich bush to a height ;of only about GOOCft. above sea level, ■and- with its terminal fare- less than three miles distant from the hotel at) “'Waih°, along a delightful bush track, ,tbe Franz Josef. Glacier, has unrivalled anyone in search of a holiday. ;•■;■. /-

. Access •to the 1 glacier •’ itself is so easy that it is, possible for anyone to go'qn.tcj the ice and feel the exhilarating, joys that.the experience gives without any occasion for the slightest nervousness. Those who wish to indulge ip : the more strenuous climbs to the -head of the glacier arid up the neighbouring peaks, ipust of course, be more hardy-arid- be prepared to face certain risks, but - it may be :mentioned that alpine accidents are very rare in New Zealand.

BADLY HANDICAPPED IN THE PAST. . • ' ' Until the erection of the Aimer Hut the West Coast side of the Southern Alps was badly handicapped as regards alpine shelters, and, indeed, it will not" be until the proposed new hut on Chancellor Ridge, near the head of the ‘Fox Glacier, is provided that it will be possible to say that anything like adequate provision has been made for alpine climbers. The Defiance Hut, which is situated at an altitude of 2000 ft. about five miles up the Franz Josef Glacier, was, until the completion of the Aimer Hut the only substantial structure provided for alpine climbers on the West Coast, apart from‘the hut at Welcome Flat, which is-used by parties making, the trip over the Copland Pass. While the Defiance Hut has served a very uesful purpose in providing shelter for mountaineers, it was so far away from the nearest hut on the Canterbury side that climbers had to undergo certain liardhsips when making the trip over Graham’s Saddle. It is true that for the past fourteen years there nas been a bivouac on the Aimer Ridge but it was too to accommodate with any degree of comfort the increasing number of alpinists who desired to use it as ai base. Furthermore there is no ski-ing ground near the Defiance Hut, and it,was desirable to have' a proper hut on the Aimer Ridge if the exhilarating sport of ski-ing was to be popularised on the West Coast.

A TWO DAYS’ TRIP. The new'Aimer Hut is about three miles from the-Defiance Hut, and the whole distance from the hotel to the Aimer can be done in one day by good trampers, although the average person will probably prefer to break the journey to Defiance. The trip from the Aimer to the hotel should be accomplished comfortably in <Aie day as the total distance is only about ten miles.

Stoutly built of totara and heart of rimu, the new hut is divided into separate compartments for men and women, each compartment being fitted with six bunks with wire mattresses. The erection of the hut represents a noteworthy feat of endurance on the part of the guides who had to carry every piece.of timber, galvanised iron, and all other materials and accessories the wnole distance from Waiho up the wholly broken glacier, and then for 1000 ft. up the steep Aimer Ridge, which, in some • places, is almost precipitous. The task, however, was accomplished safely, the guides taking a great pride in their work.

• FAVOURABLE SITUATION. The situation of the hut is particularly favourable. It overlooks the Great Ice Falls of the Franz Josef Glacier, and is adjacent to immense

snowfields which offer wonderful possibilities for ski-ing enthusiasts. It is also on the direct route from the Hermitage to Waiho over Graham’s Saddle, 8759 feet high, and the trip to Graham’s Saddle can be made from the hut in good time. The opening of the hut also should enable a good ski-ing trip to be made from the A'lmer to the head of the Fox Glacier. In fact, the skiing possibilities opened up by the establishment of this new hut are almost unlimited. Last winter Guides Frank Alack and Charles Jensen made the crossing over Graham’s Saddle on skis—the first time' this feat had been accomplished—and there is every reason to believe that in the future many other ski-ing trips will be made ojv those skilled in their use.

DELIGHTS OF SKI-ING. Among the party which visited the Aimer Hut for the opening ceremony was the Swiss guide, Oscar Coberger, who delighted everyone with thrilling exhibitions of 6ki-ing. Several of the others in the party were fairly proncient, and the remainder reaped great enjoyment in their efforts to learn how to use the snow-shoes. One of the great delights of ski-ing for the amateur is that plenty of thrills can be obtained during the learning period with very little risk of injury from falls owing to the snow being so soft. At the ceremony of opening the Aimer Hut the Tourist Department was represented -by Mr L. J.- Bayfield, the L.iriistchurch agent, and Mrs Bayfield had the honour of cutting the ribbon. There were four guides in the party (Guide Frank Alack being in charge) and also five young ladies from the Glacier Hotel. The trip up to the hut was made under perfect conditions in two days, but on ' the day followng the little ceremony, when it was proposed to make a further inspection of the ski-ing grounds available, and, if possible, to go as far a° Grahdm’s Saddle, there was, unfortunately, a break in the weather, and a heavy snowstorm came up. The party was snowed in until the Tuesday, when on account of the rations getting short for such a large number of people, the return trip was commenced, and was completed safely, although under difficult conditions. Before the snowstorm began the views from the hut were magnificent, it being possible to see clearly the breakers on the beach.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. The former Aimer bivouac is to he erected on Pioneer Ridge, in the centre of the greatest snowfield of the Southrn Alps, and near the head of the Fox Glacier. A camp was established on this ridge some years ago by Mr Alex Graham and Dr Teiclielman. Another important development of the alpine region will be the erection of the new hut on Chancellor Ridge, some distance up the Fox Glacier. With the opening of this hut trips from the Franz Josef Glacier to the Fox Glacier should become popular with mountaineers, especially now that a large new hostel has been established at the foot of the Fox Glacier by Messrs Sullivan Bros. The party present at the opening of the Aimer Hut comprised Mr and Mrs L. J. Bayfield and Messrs Allan Young and L. Hahn, of Christchurch, Misses Margaret, Rita, Kathleen and Eva Graham, Miss Edie Patrick and guides Frank Alack, J. Flutev, Tom Sheran and MiPon, of ■ Waiho, and "uide Oscar Coberger, of Arthur’s Pass.

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