ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19201, 6 January 1928, Page 6

ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK.

CHRISTCHURCH MAN SUCCESSFUL.

The ascent of Mount Cook was made under trying conditions by Mr E. D. T. Lewis, of Park terrace, on Wednesday. Mr Lewis was accompanied by two Hermitage guides, Messrs V. Williams and J. Pope, and the party returned to tho Hermitage last evening, having been 22 hours on the journey. Snow fell on Monday, and the alpinists had to pick-step their way up the Linda glacier on Tuesday. They set out from the Haast Hut at 3 a.m. on Wednesday in order to cover the most dangerous part of the journey before the avalanches commenced. They found the going heavy at the head of th Linda glacier, where the rock was covered with crusted snow. The summit rocks were in excellent climbing condition, but the ice cap was in a bad state, patches of dangerous snow being encountered.

The weather was good at the summit, and an excellent view of the East and West Coasts was obtained. The party had to make fast time on tho return journey down the Linda glacier to avoid avalanches, which were more than usually frequent. They reached the Haast Hut at midnight, and left yesterday for the Hermitage. The guides state that Mr Lewis deserves congratulation for accomplishing the ascent under such adverse conditions.

Speaking on the climb to a representative of The Pbess last night, Mr Lewis said although the conditions had not been good, he had thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The view of the coasts from the summit was excellent. The guides were both capable men, aud had greatly assisted him. Mr Lewis climbed the Footstool about this time last year, but had never previously attempted Alt. Cook.