SIX WEEK’S HOLIDAY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2249, 10 March 1921, Page 1

SIX WEEK’S HOLIDAY

IN SOUTHERN ALPS. Mr H. A. 1101 l Ims returned to Auckland from a journey in the Southern Alps. With his party he spent six weeks in the mountains, making several ascents, crossing the ranges a number of times, and climbing the little known Mount Jtrvois, which had been ascended only once before. That was three years ago, when Guide Alec Graham and Miss Marsden made the initial ascent. A most interesting incident of Mr Hull’s journey occurred when the party camped on Chancellor Ridge, at the head of the Fox Glacier. This isolated mountain stronghold has been visited but once before: fifteen years ago, when Dr. Teichelman and the Rev. Newton, an English climber, explored the country surrounding the ridge. They were pioneers of alpine climbing in the Southern Alps, and during fifteen years the isolated ridge has remained unexplored. Mr Holi’s party found billies and cooking utensils belonging to the early climbers. These were in excellent condition, and were used after their fifteen years of lying in the snow. It is singular to learn that in such a lur sweeping mountain territory these articles should have lain for so long and then have been of use again.

The party of three spent six weeks in the mountains, starting their journey from the Waiho Gorge at the foot of the Franz Joseph Glacier, which they ascended as far as Cape Reliance Hut. The glacier, which usually moves at about eighteen inches a day, was found to have attained a speed of twentyfour inches: an unusually high rate for Franz Joseph-.- From Cape Defiance the party went to Aimer Bivouac, using this place as a centre for ten days’ climbing. It was on this expedition that Mount Jervois, 5,G75 feet, was ascended. The next move was to the Chancellor Ridge at the head of the Fox Glacier, and it was here that they found the evidences of Dr. Teiehelman’s visit fifteen years before. Mr 1101 l returned to Waiho Gorge after twelve days on the ridge, and then recrossed the Alps by the Graham Saddle to Malte Brim Hut, thus crossing from west to east. From there they tramped 27 miles to the Mount Cook Hermitage, walking via the Tasman glacier. They made still another journey across the alps through the Copland Pass to Welcome Flat Hut, and then back to Waiho again. The journey through the mountains, often through entirely new country, vgvealed many alpine wonders. At Aimer Bivouac there were wonderful quartz crystals, while the Horn on the eastern slopes was exceptionally tine. Mr 1101 l has made many alpine journeys here .and abroad and is very enthusiastic over our mountains as compared with those of Switzerland and England’s famous lake district. Auckland Star.