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Ashburton Guardian, Volume XV, Issue 3438, 16 November 1894, Page 2

Thk following lecter received by Mrs Ross at Dunedin by pigeon post from Mount) Cook, explains the fate aiotmT of the Dixon-Ross expedition to cook, scale Mount Cook last week :— " Mount Cook Bivouic. To Mrs i Malcolm Ross, Dunedin. We reached here in good time with heavy swags, While two pitched tent, etc.. at an altitude of 8000 ft, the third cut steps up to Glacier Dome to help on the following day. That night came on a terrible thunderstorm, which raged for forty hours, and the tent hid to be razed to the ground to prevent its being blown down a couloir 2000tb into Hochstetter Glacier below. The light- j ning was very vivid and close, some Hashes like balls of fire being followed by terrific peals ot thunder, which shook the arete on which we were camped. Afterwards the (ent was pitched again, but the storm continuing, it became frozen to the rocks. Since then there has been a heavy fall of snow, and it will not be safe to more for a few days. All are well and in good spirits, but owing to the fresh snow it will ba impossible to scale Mount Cook. Before the storm came on we were certain of making the ascent, and even now it would only be a question of waiting some days ; but as our time is up we return by first opportunity.