MOUNTAINEERING.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 8 August 1932, Page 9

MOUNTAINEERING.

IDEAL CONDITIONS AT ARTHUR'S PASS. SUCCESSFUL CLIMBS. During the week'-end climbing conditions at Arthur's Pass were perfect, and as a result several parties of mountaineers were able to make successful ascent*, a particular feature of all this being the exceptionally good visibility from the summits. The most noteworthy feat was the ascent by a member of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club of Mt. Williams, about 60QO feet high, which stands at the junction of the Edwards and Mingha rivers. The climber left Dealey Siding at 7.30 on Saturday morning, and after travelling about two miles up the Mingha struck up through the bush until the rook ridge leading to the snowfield was reached. The remaining 1600 feet of soft snow took only one hour and the summit was reached at 12 o'clock. A good view was obtained of Mt. Oates and the little-known country # at the head of the Edwards. An attempt to descend into the Edwards proved unsuccessful, and the same route had to be followed back. Arthur's Pass was reached about 5.30 p.m. , This is the second known ascent or Mt. Williams, the first being made in July, 1930, by Mr Evan Wilson under exceptionally bad conditions. Phipp's Peak and Mt. Temple. Yesterday the same climber left Arthur's Pass at 5 a.m. with another member of the club to make a successful attempt at the difficult traverse from Phipp's Peak on to Mt. Temple, considered to be the hardest climb in the vicinity of the Pass. Step-cutting was necessary on the frozen slopes of the Peak practically to the summit, which was reached at noon. The traverse was then made along the ridge to Mt. Temple! This ridge was heavily corniced, and in places the cornices had to be knocked away before it was possible to straddle the ridge. Nevertheless Mt. Temple was reached in an hour and a quarter j and the descent to the road was made in soft snow in good time. ' Three other -members of the Mountaineering Club left the Pass at 1 o'clock on Sunday morning for an ascent of Mt. Rolleston. . The -usual route from the Bealey Glacier was followed and the party were surprised ,to find that the snow was quite soft, so that about five hours of heavy trudging was necessary before they reached the Goldney ridge. Soon after 10 o'clock the low peak was reached, an<T the party stood upon the summit an hour afterwards. The sea could be seen on both coasts of the Island, and it was even possible to pick out the snow-covered summit of Mt. Herbert. The climbers made a long glissade down into the Otira Valley, and returned by road to the Pass at about 3 p.m. , . Yet another party made a rusii ascent of Mt. Aicken between the arrival and departure of the exCur T sion trai.'i. They also were rewarded with a splendid view from the summit.