PEAK BARNICOAT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 57, 8 March 1923, Page 7

PEAK BARNICOAT

SCALED BY ENGLISH JOURNALIST

MR. JULIAN GRANDE IN THE

SOUTHERN ALPS.

(11 TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL TO IDE POST.)

WAIHO GORGE, This Day.

The highest peak of the Triad Range situated west of Conway Park and east of Newton Pass, was conquered for the first time on Tuesday last by Mr. Julian Grande, a noted English journalist, who is visiting the Dominion. Accompanied by two guides, Peter Graham, of Waiho Gorge, and Frank Milne, of the Hermitage, Mr. Grande and the guides left for the hut on Monday at 4.30 a.m., crossed Graham's Saddle and reached the Aimer Bivouac at 6.30 p.m. On Tuesday at 6 a.m. the attack upon the highest peaks of Triad began, and the foot of the rocky side of the mountain was reached at 9 a.m. Here rocks were found in fairly good condition, but owing to a recent fall of iresh snow great care was necessary, and at times only one of the party could move. The arete of the peak was one long frozen and broken cornice, and in parts had to be cut away before any advance was possible. At 2 p.m. the highest summit of the Triad was reached and Mr. Grande named it Peak Bacnicoat, in memory of his deceased wife, Constance Barnicoat, who died at Geneva last September during the session of the Assembly of the League of Nations. Mrs. Grande was a daughter of the late Hon. John Wallis Barnicoat, M.L.C., of Nelson. She was the first woman to cross the Copland Pass twenty years ago. During her residence in England and the Continent of Europe she rendered signal service to New Zealand by her writing in leading London daily newspapers and weekly and monthly periodicals. The naming of a peak after her in the New Zealand alps is an honour, not only to a distinguished New Zealand woman, but to a daughter of one of the first and most distinguished pioneers.of the country. Speaking of the ascent of Peak Barnicoat, Mr. Grande said: "Peak Barnicoat is equal to the great Schreckhorn. Peak Barnicoat must be considered as one of the most difficult. and dangerous ascents in the New Zealand alps, and can only b© undertaken by expert climbers with first-class guides."

The aneroid showed the height of Peak Barnicoat to be 9200 feet above sea level. The view from the summit was one vast glorious prospect, the whole range of the Southern Alps being clearly visible. The party remained on the summit for half an hour. The descent was difficult owing to the melting of snow, and the party did not reach the Aimer Bivouac until 8.30 p.m.

Referring to his guides, Mr. Grande remarked: "Peter Graham and his pupil, Frank Milne, have nothing to learn either from Swiss, French, or Italian guides."

Mr. Grande left to-day for the Copland Pass and the hermitage, and is accompanied by guide Milne.