ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1931, Page 5

ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK

INTERVIEW WITH CLIMBER, , TIMARU, January 12. Making the Haast Hut their base, Mr Noel Thomson, of Levin, and Guide L. Mahan, of rhe Hermitage staff, made a successful ascent of Mount Cook, reaching the summit in under twelve hours. Mr Thomson, who has been cliroioing in the Mount Cook region since Christmas, returned north to-day, and , while in Tiffiaru, awaiting the arrival of his train, he gave a representative of “The Press” some interesting details of the ascent. “The weather conditions could not have been better,” .he said, “and, with the exception of the summit rocks which were treacherous with ice, everything was favourable for the ascent. Tlie "going,’ [ however, was fairly strenuous, but the view from the summit alone was worth our exertions. The upper atmosphere was as.clear as crystal, and we could see high peaks and ranges for miles. We obtained some very fine photographs of surrounding peaks, including Tasman, with its famous ice ridge;” Continuing, Mr Thomson said that they left the Haast Hut at 1.15 a.m. oil the morning of December 30th, and after crossing the Linda Glacier, which was covered with soft . snow, they made fairly good time to the summit,, the highest peak.of Cook being reached at '12.40 p,m; “We found the summit' rocks the toughest Imposition,” • added Mr Thomson. ‘‘A coating of ice made this particular section of the climb very dangerous, and, consequently, we decided to worK up the culoir to the right, of the rocks. The sun, by this time, was' melting the icicles, and we had to keep a sharp look-out dodging these as rthey came crashing down the culoir. ’ , After a short rest at the summit, Air Thomson and Guide Mahan began the descent, eventually reaching e Haast Hut'at 11.15' p.m., after_a climb, which occupied 22 bours. The descent, in place's,-was made, difficult bv extremely'soft snow. . “I thoroughly, enjoyed the experience,” said Mr Thomson, in reply to a question, “arid I hope-to return to the Mount Cook, region next Christinato climb other of the; higher peaks. On January 2nd Mr Thomson, with Guide; Mahan,- went to the. Malte Brun Hut, which was to be the ascent of Maltre, Brun (10,421 ft). Tins, ;peak, however, was not climbed a nor' -westerly gale compelling the two men to abandon the venture at 000 ft. “We left the hut at 5 a.m. said Mr Thomson, “and had a point on the main rulge v 1 ' strong nor’-wester sprang up. continued in an endeavour to reach the summit, but the wiiwT-um boo blowing at gale force, andl the dim had to he abandoned at 10,000 ft. Mr Thomson paid a tribute to the alpine skill of Guide Malum, who, h said, was.a highly. -effidtu ; found Mahan to he one of Ahfll bes concluded Mr Thomson, ‘ and X hope to climb with him again next season.