A FAMOUS ALPINE GUIDE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15022, 17 July 1914, Page 8

A FAMOUS ALPINE GUIDE.

CONRAD KAIN APPOINTED FOR MOUNT COOK.

(SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS.") WELLINGTON, July 16. Somo timo ago I mentioned the fact that the Tourist Department was negotiating with a view to obtaining the services of the well-known, alpine guide Conrad Kain, for the coming season at the Mt. Cook district. The Depart-ment-has been successful in its negotiations. ' . * Guide Kaiu will he engaged in .tho early-part of the season in teaching the younger guides the finer points of alpine work, and will afterwards assist Chief Guide Graham in the work of .diigh climbing. The engagement of Mr Kniiifwill be of great assistance to the guiding staff, which was reduced by -the disaster which resulted in the death of Mr King and Guides Thomson and Richmond last season. . Conrad Kain is at present acting.as chiof guide to the Canadian Alpine Club. He has a splendid climbing record in tho European Alps, in the Rockies, and in New Zealand. Ho came to New Zealand last -'year in the capacity of private guide to Mr Otto I rind, an enthusiastic alpinist, ■ who proposes to revisit Nefw Zealand during the coming season. Kain comes from Nasswald, a village at tho foot of the far-famed Ilaxalpe, and is now in his thirty-first year He contributed to the la_fc. number of the "Alpine Journal," a "most interesting article on the ascent of Mt. Robson. This is ono of the highest mountains in the Rockies—.higher than Mt. Cotfk—and "Kain chose the eaiho .route as was taken by Mr L. _1. S. Amery, 31.P., formerly of "The Times" literary staff, and author of •*Tho Times" history of the War. "Tho snow conditions on the highest peaks of tho Canadian Rockies can ""never be -with those in the Alps," _ays_vMr. Kain, "on account of the dryness "of the atmosphere which leaves the snow powdery and unpacked. .Mount Robson will always ho a risky .■.limb, «yen ou the easiest side, on account of avalanches." - Members of tho English Alpine Club who have climbed with Kain, speak in complimentary terms of his strength, his keenness, and his resource. The Tourist Department is certainly fortunate in obtaining the services of such an able guide.