A MOUNTAINEERING FEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8031, 18 January 1906, Page 2

A MOUNTAINEERING FEAT.

A notable feat in climbing Mount Cook, was accomplished by a party consisting of Messrs Turner (Loudon, well known in laranaki as agent tor NVillcr and liiley, butter merchants), T. Fyfe, Peter Gralwm and Malcolm •Ross (three Jfevv Zcalanders). A start was made from a high bivouac by moonlight at 11 o'clock on Tuesday of last week. Tito summit was reached in la hours—a record. The weather was line, and the view s obtained during (he ascent out from the summit were indescribably matiniiiecnt. " At 1 p.m. the descent on the western side to the Hooker Glacier was commenced, and, owing to adverse conditions, was of a sensational character. The rocks were half-covered with snow, and glazed with enormous icicles. In two extremely dillicult situations, the parly were lowered singly down precipitous faces of iceglaced rock by the Alpine rope. The descent of this long arete, under such adverse conditions, was a piece of work almost unique in Alpine climbing. Mr Turner says that it all his experiences he has not witnessed so bt'illiau a feat. It was made without Ihe slightest slip or accident, though considerable risks.were run. It was not till 7 p.m. on Wednesday that the tlesvenl of the rocks was safely accomplished. A thousand feet from the bottom, Mr Turner was struck on the head by a lalliug splinter of stone, but escaped serious injury, irnd was able to eontinuc the descent. Mr Turner is rapidly recovering from the effect of Ins accident, and the other members of the party arc lit and well. They arc all delighted with their clitub, which is certainly unique in the annals of iScw Zealand mountaineering.