ALPINE EXPLORER

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1931, Page 3

ALPINE EXPLORER

• '‘'A' y ,r ' A ■ iftE ATH IN ENG LAN D. I;, "V/ • WORK IN NEW ZEALAND. ; f Diiited/JPreas Association .—By Electric ' b ' Telegraph.—Copyright.] ; ■ /A‘ j 'V ’• *7 ’ ; U ' LONDON, January 4. The has occurred of Major Edward Arthur Fitz Gerald, F.L.S., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., F.R.8.5., the wellknown, mountaineer, who Carried out * arid: Sotith America.

Major FitzGerald,' who discovered the Pass''bearing ’his- name . in 1895. came out to New Zealand to make an attempt, on tvhich at the time had not been- climbed. On the afternoon of his arrival in Christchurch he learned that some climbers had Successfully, scaled the mountain. Ho then' abandoned his attempt on “.Aorangi,” and., did some other high climbs in the Hermitage region.

On his return Home he wrote a hook on his climbing experiences in New' Zealand, entitled “Climbs in the New Zealand Alps.” Dealing with his discovery of the Pass on the divide he wrote an article in the English Alpine Club’s Journal saying that he was the first,.mkn’to cross :from east to west, a claim that New Zealand alpinists state is incorrect.

The Fitz Gerald Pass is a high pass, very; little used, in the Hermitage district. -FitzGerald was of the opinion that the route he discovei'ed was a good way to reach the Hermitage, but the Copeland Pass, half a mile away, is that most used by mountaineers •