MOUNTAINEERING

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1932, Page 2

MOUNTAINEERING

FOX GLACIER REGION. There hag been quite a large amount of high climbing rhis season. The hut on Chancellor Ridge is a good jumping off place, and many expeditions have been carried out very successfully. One of the latest to go into the high altitudes, was Miss Daisy Le H. Mackie of Ashburton, a young lady who is an intrepid mountaineer, and enjoys every minute of the experience. On February loth., with Chief Guide Alack of the Fox Glacier hostel, the party which left Messrs Sullivan’s hostel, the day before, climbed Mt. Maast, 10.294 feet, and also LendenIcid, 10,450 feet. This was rather a remarkable feat for one day, but the weather was perfect, and the most was made of it. Miss Mackie described the view from Mt. Haast as disclosing quite a wonderland, and to enjoy it, the party stayed a considerable time. The ocean was to be seen on both sides of the Island, while the visible panorama stretched south to the Sounds, and north to beyond "Westport. The climbers considered it a most entrancing view.

The following day another mountaineer joined the party, and the Buttress (9,996) wa s attacked. The party went bv the nortn-west rock Rice, and conquered it successfully. It was a very thrilling experience also.

Then the next day, the party climbed Marcel Col. a very pleasant trip being experienced. On the 18th. the par tv was joined by Mr L. A. Mew of Dunedin who bad Guide r l. Christie with him, and the combined party attacked Bin: Mae (8.511) and Du Fresno (7,385). Mr Mew greatly enjoyed liis first experience of high climbing, and marvelled at the wonderfnl view' to be seen from the high peaks. Miss Mackie, by the way, is the first, New Zealand lady to climb Alt. Haast and Big Mac. Miss Tda Com- of England was the first lady tf , climb Haast and Ledenfeld from the West- C>ast side. This feat was porformed <u Kith. January, also with Guide Alack. Aliss Cor-y scent a delightful time fc'ita fcW.Vom.Ujr, ,&» mqfcw «fc« pioneer Pas', «* of tfco Mw* >" A-,.,,. Zralairtl. Tile font* of the™ Indies show the possibilities of hiltb climbing and it is nor «.rpn„ng that WUfltoweeriog » B™wi»g to *"-•

Au interesting climb in this region is to Craig’s Peak (6,279), where a small hut has been erected by the proproprietors of the Fox hostel. The special atraction of this locality is the profusion of mountain plants and flowers, forming a natural native garden of unusual beauty. The climb is not difficult for the enthusiasts, and is growing in popularity. There are many peaks at the head of the Fox Glacier, and most of them now have had attention from climbers, and all agree that the region is one of great interest, and most attractive to the colonial or overseas mountaineer. LA PERTJSE GLACIER. A week ago a party of ladies and gentlemen bent on mountaineering, under the leadership of Guide Alec Graham of Waiho Gorge, went into La Peruse, equipped for a three weeks’ stay. The party proposes to traverse the glacier, and then to attack the mountain, which it is stated has not been climbed since 1905, when done by Dr. Teichelmann and Guide A. Graham.

The approach is by way of Upper Cook river, along which tracks had to be cut. and camps established. Beyond the gorge of the Cook river there is a fine expanse of good flat land, while prospectors also try their fortune in the Cool: river bed. The scenery is said to he wonderfully wild and attractive, and there is plenty of bird-life. Indeed, that is a- feature of the Fox-Cook region.

The La Peruse region is likely to become better known now, and to form a special attraction for those seeking fresh peaks to conquer. The route is notable also for the lact that near where a branch of the Cook river rises, the Balfour and La- Peru-e glaciers converge, and form tin external source of supply for the river below, ft can well be understood that in the hot summers, the molting ice and snow above are a factor in causing the swollen stream which impedes motor and other wheel traffic at that season of the year.