EXPLORATION IN THE ALPS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21391, 6 February 1935, Page 7

EXPLORATION IN THE ALPS

* MOUNTAINEERING CLUB'S RECORD MANY FIRST ASCENTS SINCE 1929 The suggestion of a Wellington mountaineer in the correspondence columns of' "The Press" yesterday morning that Canterbury climbers have habitually made baseless claims to being first in the field with ascents and explorations is strongly resented by members of the club, and a prominent climber yesterday handed to "The Press" a list of first ascents carried out by members of the club in the Canterbury and Westland ranges since 1929. The climber said that it was obvious that the correspondent was unacquainted with the history of the thorough work of the club in the last five or six years. The list of ascents and explorations, he said, could be supported by reference to the "New Zealand Alpine Journal" and the "Canterbury Mountaineer," both authoritative works. The districts are dealt with in order from north to south, as follows: Poulter Headwaters—Little was known about the topography of the country behind Lake Minchin until club members, one of them a deer culler, made trips to the crest of the dividing range. Hawdon Headwaters—First ascents of Mounts Hunt, Nelson, and Scott. Edwards Headwarters—First ascents of Mounts Oates, Wilson, Bowers, Falling Mountain, Williams, and the Dome. The Taruahuna or Forlorn Pass was mapped by members. Waimakariri Headwarters —First ascent's of Mounts Gizeh, Greenlaw, Speight, and Wakeman. The relation of the White Valley to the Wilberforce and Avoca valleys was determined. Wilberforce Headwaters—First ascents of Mounts Camsell, Marion, Park, Ambrose. Five Jagged Peaks, Pope, Eliot, FitzGerald, Giles, Walter, and Learmont. Mathias Headwaters—First ascents of Mounts Frieda, Carl, Marion, Gerard, Urquhart, Comyns, Tregear, Notman. Stout, Ballance, Kensington, Shafto, Harrison, Kai-iwi, Mystery, Bryce, and two unnamed peaks. One of the expedition parties discovered the Unknown Col which has since played an important part in giving access to those crossing the ranges from Arthur's Pass to the Rakaia. Another party explored the unmapped West Mathias. Rakaia Headwaters—First ascents of Mounts Whitcombe, Erewhon, Snow Dome, Kinkel, Ramsay, the Amazon's Breasts, Martius, Goethe, Joan, Jean, Red Lion, and Evans. Painstaking pioneer work was necessary on the first-class peaks such as Whitcombe and Evans, and full gratitude was always recorded to Wellington parties who did any share of the spade work. The traverse of Mount Evans, in particular, involved the reconnaissance of much new country and the first traverse of the McKenzie Glacier and col, and first exploration of the County Glacier. Arrowsmith Range—First ascents of Tent, Marquee, North, Couloir, and Jagged Peaks and unnamed peaks. Rangitata Headwaters—First ascents of Mounts Cloudy, Ferrar, Maude, Milne. Onlooker, Tauroa, Alpha, Beta, Quoin, Schund, Oklahoma, and Baker. In the description of the recent expedition to the Perth Glacier full reference was made to the previous pioneer work of Dennistoun, Gunn, and Teichelmann. Nevertheless, the 1934 club party were definitely the first men to set foot on the Perth Glacier and to explore their terraced plateaus. Other Districts—Club parties arc visiting the Godley, Hopkins, Landsborough, and Otago valleys in increasing numbers. In all districts innumerable second and third ascents have been made. Glaciers have been traversed (that is from neve to snout) for the first time, new passes were noted and crossed, and on all occasions of importance careful data have been Jaken for the assistance of the club's many friends in the Lands and Survey Offices. The Canterbury Mountaineering Club has a record of which it can be proud, declared the member, and many of its men have made a study of the history as well as the topography of the country traversed, nor has the botanical side been neglected. In brief, the club can claim a full and intimate knowledge of the Canterbury and Westland mountains. No fastness will be left untouched, and when at last all the peaks, passes, glaciers, rivers, gorges, and valleys are known, a major part of such work will be the result of the guideless work of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club.