MOUNTAINEERING

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1932, Page 5

MOUNTAINEERING

SOUTH WESTLAND FEATS. Climbing feats continue to be recorded from South Westland where the good weather of late hag been of great assistance to those of the mountaineering spirit. Much new ground is being broken by the climbers under the leadership of intrepid guides. On Tuesday last the highest unclimbed peak in New Zealand was conquered. This was the middle peak og Mt Hanst, 10,182 feet at the head of Fox Glacier. Mr G. H. Denton of Wellington, had with him on the day in question. Chief Guide Alack of the Fox Glacier hostel and the first ascent of the peak was made by the west rock face, and the climbers considered it a very fine rock climb. The trip and experience were very delightful, and every moment of the climb was greatly enjoyed.

Two davs later, onry on Thursday morning the party leit Chancellor Hut oil the upper Fox Glacier, and first made a traverse of Victoria Glacier. The two climbers then went over the Blackburn Saddle, and thence down the Fox Glacier to the upper waters of the Waikukupa river. The river was followed down to the main south road, and the party returned by road to the box Glacier hostel.

This was the first occasion on which this interesting round trip had been done. With the wonderful variety of scenery and the changing conditions of travel the trip should lie very popular in the future. The magnificence of the scenery on route in grandeur and variety could hardly ho surpassed, and to climbers the outing should lie most enticing because of the variety of tile work to be enjoyed.