MT. TASMAN CLIMBED

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1932, Page 5

MT. TASMAN CLIMBED

BY WAIHO GUIDES First Ascent From This Side (By Telegraph—Special to “Argus.”) WAIHO GORGE, March 12. Alount Tasman, 11,475 feet high, fhe second highest mountain in the Southern Alps, was successfully ascended from the Westland side, for the first time, on Thursday last, 10th inst. The party consisted of three well-known Franz Josef guides, Jack Pope, Jack Cox and J. Fluerty. They left the Glacier Hostel On Tuesday last, the Sth inst., for the Aylmer Hut, next day crossing over Newton Pass to the Bivouac on the Pioneer Ridge, at the head of the Fox Glacier. On the morning of the tenth, the party set out at 3 a.m., crossing the Fox Glacier neve, and then ascending the steep couloir between Mt. Tasman and Mt. Lindenfeldt. and going over tin* divide at Engineer Col. From here c.xippt when negotiating an awkward schrund below the shelter of Alt. Tasman. where the party were forced out into the east face, the main northeast arrete was followed for its entire length, the ridge between the shoulder and the summit being an exceedingly narrow one. On th'* descent, the party deviated from their route at Engineer’s Col, and the v made the complete traverse of Alount Lindenfeldt. which is 10,459 feet high, 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 phjtographs were taken en route and from the summit.

The times as follows; —I>ft Bivouac at 3 a.m.; left Engineer’s Col nt 7 a.m.; reached the summit of Aft. Tasman at 9.10 a.m.; returned to the Bivouac at 2.20 p.m. The whole climb thus occupied eleven hours and twenty minutes.