WEEK-END AT QUEENSTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 38

WEEK-END AT QUEENSTOWN.

WINTER ASCENT OF THE REMARKABLES. A very linvted number of excursionists took advantage of last Saturday's week-end trip to spend a few days health-seeking am< ngst the delightful environs of Queenbtown. This is to be regretted, as such exceptional facilities may not be provided again by the railway authorities. Possibly the coast dwellers have an idea that the climate would be uncongenial at this season. Such is not the case. Nothing finer in. winter could be wished for. There is no snow bolow the 4000 ft level, little or no frost, and just enough freshness in the air to make one feel energetic. To anyone seeking a few dajs' safe mountain-climbing at reasonable expense and reasonable accessibility the mountains round Quoenstown afford ample opportunities in the winter months. More snow and more frost would only make the accents more interesting to alpinists. Amongst those who made the journey were Mr H. F. Wright, of Roslyn, and Mr J. Walker, of the Dunedin Gymnastic Club. This pair of climbers ascended Ben Lomond on Sunday forenoon, the Remarkables on Monday, and Mount Walter on Tuesday. The following description of the climb up the Remarkables has been supplied to us, and as it is the first known ascent during the winder months, it may be ot interest: — We left Eichardt's Hotel at 5 a.m. in the oil launch Thelma, and were ashore at Kawarau Falls before 6 As we a-cend<xl from the lake towards the leading ridge we watched with infinite -delight t ho sun flushing with rose the eastern slopes of the various snowy peaks, " where dance the spirits of the dawn." By 9 o'clock wo were on the main arete, and among.sl t>no\v. Along the rklgo and through hiow of \arying depth we plugged along until 1 p.m., when we reached the summit. Then "look, behold, beyond." the surpassing grand-cur and almost entUess extent of a great white wall burst fully en us. The giants of the Southern Alps weve all there, supported by hundreds of minor friends. The view to the noith-eiist was dominated by the bold buttress-looking form of Mount Cook, with Ssfron, Haidenger, and other peaks of the t-aino group in close attendance ; Aspiring, with Castor and Pollux, held the middle distance : Earnslaw to the north-west stood out clearly above it surroundings — the whole enormous amphitheatre, hundreds of miles in extent, flashing back the noonday 6un. jnd forming one great glory of white -_md gold, formed a picture sufficient to daze the eye and impress the mind of the most prosaic. Owinff to the unusoal clearness of the atmosphere the sea-line of the eastern and western coasts was easily distinguishable. We lingered some two hours at fcho top, taking a few photographs and generally drinking in the scene. We were loth to come clown, an-d could not help giving expression to the feeling deep down in our hearts, " Would that all to-morrow 6 would I bo as to-day."

On reaching Eicbardt'e Hotel at 7 p.m. the first question asked was, " Had we seen the airship?'' We could only give a sorsowful negative. On Tuesday, however, when enterinp the enow near the summit of Mount Walter, we had an amusing experience. Tramps of any sort are not known on this peak, and Mr Walter M'Kenzie, of Mount Walter Station, who was workinc down cheep from the 500 ft level, espied two figures at some distance above him. " Here are the airship humans, or e\s» shecp-stealers," thought he. We halloed, and he came up, we explaining who we were. He kindly volunteered to pilot us to tho top. through a snow-swirl that was coming on, and very glad we were of his company, as the summit of Mount Walter is no pleasure-ground in rough weather.