SUPPORT FOR ROPEWAY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22437, 25 June 1938, Page 15

SUPPORT FOR ROPEWAY

FRANZ JOSEF SCHEME MOUNTAIN CLUBS* ATTITUDE Complete support lor the projected construction of an aerial ropeway from the Waiho Gorge to the snowfields feeding the Franz Josef glacier was expressed by representatives of the various mountaineering and skiing clubs in Christchurch, when they were interviewed by a reporter of “The Press” yesterday. The prospect of being able to avoid the difficult icefalls both above and below Cape Defiance and to gain altitude in a minimum of time, it was stated, holds out the greatest attraction for all those interested in snow sports and climbing.

Mr Charles Buchanan, chairman of the Christchurch section of the New Zealand Alpine Club, who has known the West Coast over a number of years, said that he was certain that his club would support the scheme wholeheartedly. “It would bo erected in an ideal situation,” he said, “and would give much easier access to the big snowfields. The Fox and the Franz Josef combined represent the biggest snow area in New Zealand, and one of the greatest cachement areas in the world outside the Himalayas.”

_ Members of the committee of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, including the secretary, Mr A. G. Flower, also spoke in favour of the project, pointing out that the neve of the Franz Josef was the finest region in the country for ski mountaineering. The principal drawback to this branch of the sport, at present, was the great difficulty involved in carrying ski into the heart of the alps, and. in this, New Zealand presented conditions quite unlike those prevailing in Switzerland. All inquiries from alpinists would elicit the information that opposition on the grounds that it is taking an unfair advantage of a mountain difficulty has almost completely disappeared. Mountaineers say that it means a great saving in time and money for those who intend to mnin» such lesser known spots as the Burton and Spencer glaciers their climbing headquarters. These regions offer many magnificent climbs, and would undoubtedly become very popular with better access. Skiers In Favour The Canterbury Winter Sports Club, said its secretary, Mr T. T. Robins, is both “very interested” and very keen to see the ropeway constructed. And this opinion is corroborated by Mr G. G. Lockwood, of the Christchurch Ski Club. It would give a great fillip to ski-ing, they said, which was still a comparatively new sport. By making access easier into the head of the Fox Glacier, it would encourage ski-tour-ing, as yet a relatively undeveloped branch of the sport, but which has the very greatest possibilities in the Southern Alps. With improved road access into South Westland with the ultimate design of linking up Otago and the Sounds, a vastly increased number of tourists can be expected. These, experienced mountaineers point out, could enjoy themselves immensely in the relatively safe snow basin. The icefalls, below the Aimer Hut, have always acted as a strainer, allowing only the more active and skilful to gain the very beautiful and gently sloping snow country above.