HOLIDAY IN ALPS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1930, Page 7

HOLIDAY IN ALPS

IN SOUTH WESTLAND. After a climbing holiday in the Southern Alps and on the West Coast Mr A. 0. WilkihjSpn; has returneiV-.to Christchurch.' On December 31st JJr Wilkinson and the Rev. W. Bower ■Rack accomplished, with a small party aocompanied by Guide Oscar A. Coberger, the ascent of Mount Rolleston. Since that date Messrs Black and Wilkinson have been at the Franz Joseph Glacier. They intended to climb as many peaks as possible, hut bad weather and new Snow on the ice made the 'ascenfs very difficult. Last Tuesday, January 7th; a party v consisting of Mr Wilkinson and the Revs. W. Bower Black and P. A. Mead (Dunedin) set out' from the new Aimer Hut on the Franz Josef at 3 a.m., with the intention of climbing some of the Minarets,, about 10,000 ft, in height They were enabled to see a wonderful dawn on the snowfields, and good views iwere obtained of the Rudolf and peaks. Elie de Beaumont made .particularly fine and beautiful sight party managed to reach the ' Graham Saddle, about 8700 ft, but were caught there in a blizzard. After attempting to climb de la Beche, they were forced to abandon the effort.

A day’s aki-ing from the Aimer Hut was greatly enjoyed by the two tourists and added variety to their holiday. They finished their tour'at Okarito STi tion, from where they obtained a remarkable view- of the Southern Alps, including Mounts Cook and Tasman. Mr Wilkinson told a “Press” reporter that the work of the two guides on the climb, ’Messrs J. Fluety and J. Cox, was to be highly commended. He also, expressed appreciations at the hospitality of the Graham brothers at the Glacier Hotel. Mr Wilkinson motored from Arthur’s VPass and returned by the same route, "'■and, in his opinion, the. roads were expedient. The scenery wa.s most attractive at this time of the year, and the mountain lilies were out in bloom. The drive warranted the trip by car in preference to trucking through the Otira tunnel, and the surface of the road generally was quite good. Provided that enquiries were made prior to a trip said Mr Wilkinson, about possible slipthere was no reason to prevent motorists from going right through. The Rev. W. Bower Black will not return to Christchurch for a fortnight.