Climbers plan Alps traverse

Press, 10 November 1980, Page 22

Climbers plan Alps traverse

PA Invercargill Two young climbers will embark next week on what could be “a first" in New Zealand climbing history — a traverse of the western side of the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. They are Stephen Bruce, aged 21 of Wellington, and Warren Herrick aged 23, of Invercargill. They will be joined by another Wellington climber. Lindsay Fletcher, for most of the journey.

They plan to leave on November 11 from Harrison Cove near Milford Sound and expect to reach the Nelson lakes in about five months. Two similar traverses have been made in the past, but both were on the eastern side of the Main Divide. The climbers said the western side was more

rugged technically and was far more demanding. The weather was also much more uncertain.

They plan to attempt all the major peaks on the journey as time and weather permit, including Mounts Tutoko, Aspiring, Hooker, Sefton, La Perouse, Cook (a grand traverse), Tasman, Elie de Beaumont, Evans, and Rolleston. Friends will establish food dumps for them throughout the journey, and Mount Cook Airlines has agreed to three airdrops of supplies on Mount Cook. The men have about 10 years experience as trampers and climbers.

Mr Bruce made a twomonth traverse of Fiordland last year and both he and Mr Herrick spent six weeks climbing in the Mount Cook region.