THE ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK.

Temuka Leader, Issue 927, 14 March 1882, Page 3

THE ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK.

The Rev. Mr Green accompanied by his two Swiss guides arrived in Timaru last Saturday enening, after having succeeded in reaching the summit of Mount Cook. The Alpine party consisted of the Rev Mr Gre n—a clergyman of the Church of England, and a native of the South of Ireland, and two Swiss Alpine climbers named Kaufman and Boss. Their progress was much retarded by wet weather. On the 27th of February they reached to an altitude of 8000 feet, but owing to meeting with insermountable obstacles, they had to turn back to a camp which they had erected about 1000 feet lower down, after 17 hour’s hard work. Next day was spent in making preparations for another attempt, and on the Ist of March they renewed their efforts taking with them four day’s provisions, and bivouaced that night at the foot of Mount Tasman. At 6 o’clock the following day undaunted by masses of ice continually falling down th Mountain side, and presenting danger at every sb?p these determined votaries of mountaineering made a fresh start. At about 4 o’clock in the afternoon they came within a distance of the top which enabled them to judge that if they proceeded further they could not regain their camp again that night, and the question arose as to whether they should proceed further or return. To proceed meant to remain for the night on the top of Mount Cook without food, to return meant considerable difficulty on the following day in reaching the point at which they were then standing. After a hurried consultation they decided to proceed onwards. The weather, which was very fine in the early part of the day, became moist, and a thaw set in, causing the ice to roll down upon them in little pellets, like hailstones. At 6.20 thev reached the summit, but as the weather was thick, and nothing was to be seen, they commenced the return journey. About 160 yards from the top they built up a cairn of stones, underneath which Mr Green buried his matchbox and handkerchief to commemorate their achievement. Two thousand feet lower down darkness came on, and as they deemed it imprudent to proceed further, they took shelter under a projecting rock. They had only a foothold of a few inches from which they scraped the snow, and they had to pass a wet, dreary night, stamping their feet and beating their hands to keep the.nsolves warm, and watching each other for fear of falling asleep, for a fall off from where they were standing meant immediate destruction to the party, as they were tied together. At sunrise they renewed their journey, but found that the avalanches which had fallen during the night had completely obliterated their tracks, and at 7 a.m, they reached their bivouac, after having been 27 hours on their feet, and 22 hours without food. After a few days’ rest and some delay, caused by horses which were to meet them not arriving, the party reached Lake Tekapo, on Friday, and Timaru on Saturday evening. They were passengsrs by the first train to Christchurch yesterday morning on their way home to England, and we understand it is the intention of Mr Green to write an account of the jour ney for the Alpine Club Journal.