MT. TASMAN CLIMBED

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1932, Page 5

MT. TASMAN CLIMBED

FROM WESTLAND SIDE. [special to “stab.”] ‘ 4 WAIHO GORGE, March 12. Mt. Tasman, 11,475 feet, the second highest mountain in the Southern Alps, was successfully ascended from the Westland side, for the first time on Thursday. The party consisted of the three well known Franz Josef guides, Jack Pope, Jack Cox, and J. Fluerty, who left the Glacier Hotel, on Tuesday (March 8) for the Aimer Hut. Next day, they crossed over the ‘Newton Pass to the bivouac, on the Pioneer ridge at the head of the Fox Glacier. On Thursday morning, the party set out at 3 o’clock, crossing the Fox Glacier neve, and ascending the steep couloir, between Mt. Tasman and Mt. Lindenfeldt, and going to\ the divide at Engineei’ Col. From here, except when negotiating an awkward schrund, below the shelter of Tasman, where the party were forced out into the East face, the main north east arrete was followed for its entire length. The ridge between the shoulder and the summit, being exceedingly narrow, on the descent the party deviated from their route at Engineer Col, and made the complete traverse of Mount Lindenfeldt, 10,459 feet, to the bivouac. The day was beautifully fine ' and free from wind. The conditions ' being good for the use of crampons, fast time was made. A number of photographs were taken en route and from the summit. The times were as follow: Left bivouac 3 a.m., Engineer Col 7 a.m., summit of Tasman 9.10 a.m. Returned to bivouac at 2.20 p.m., the whole climb occupying eleven hours 20 minutes.