MOUNTAINEERING

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1935, Page 3

MOUNTAINEERING

IN THE MAHITAHI AREA. The vogue for m ottntaineOfiiJg has grown on New Zealand considerably of late. It is as if the remarkable mountain facilities of the country have been but lately discovered. Over many years hack, a few enthusiasts made occasional excursions into the high country in the South Island, where nature has provided sue!) a playground for the mountaineer. But nowadays, clubs and parties make use of every available holiday to penetrate into the fastness of the country and enjoy nature in ali her pristine beauty. Much high climbing is being done in. South Westland of late, ahd a party which went into the Maihitahi area, beyond Mts. Ooolc and Tasman, had a. notable experience. The party included Miss Marie B, Byles, of Sydney, and Miss IAL. Etlga.islolies, of Tiniavu, accompanied by Guides Alack and Ayers, of Fox Glacier Hostel. The; party was the first to make for the head of the Min-hitahi ,river. Track cutting was necessary and stone bivouacs were 'built. It wfis real pioneering work and was greatly enjoyed. The first part of the journey was done by aeropia.no i'ro m Cooks’ Flat ; Voheka) to Maintain—-a most interesting experience—and then by horses up the river-bed for seine seven miles, from where the horses had to he left 'it was an eight hour tramp with the pack loads to the base camp. Rain marred the pleasures of the final stages, .and the rain continued thefollowing day on the journey to the high camp, 3,500 feet high, where a rock bivouac was formed. The first climb,, and ascent was on a peak at the head of the west branch of Lora glacier. The portion traversed was seme two miles, and was not shown on the maps of the district. With the ' facilities now available, jt is considered an aerial map of the Southern Alps should be prepared by the authorities, and with reliable information at hand, the vogue of mountaineering would increase.

It was on January fi, that the party ascended Alt Fettes from the western side. It was gleaned afterwards that two day s earlier, another party from the Landshorongh Valley had made the first ascent of Fettes. The same day two ether peaks, unnamed were climbed. The route taken was over ATul! or Pass, down and across Lora Glacier, and on to a range between L'ora and Landshorongh. From that point the party was forced to traverse another peak before gaining the upper snow fie ld s of Fettes. The Hampers now had to swing to LandsLiindsborough side for further proress. The trip took 15 hours of strenuous going, and in had weather, which robbed the party of the final view. The two following days were very wet and uncomfortable. The (party was held up at their sheltering rock, and at one time counted no less than seven+,aen cascading waterfalls around them.

Climbing was resumed on January 9, when a first ascent and traverse was made of an unnamed peak, north of Muller Pass. The following davhowever, was notable for excellent results. Alt. Strauc-han was the objective of the trip. It is an unclimb<’d peak at the bond of the ALdiitnhi. 8350 feet high. The. partv started at 3.45 a.m. by way of Afuellor Pass, then cutting round on the Lands’borough side fSirther progrsss By that rmite the summit was gained, and the objective achieved. A magnificent outlook was presented, hut in bitterly cold conditions. It was on January 12. that the partv made the ascent and traverse of .Alt. B-rntz AVecli on the range bptwee,, ALvhitnhi and Alakawiho. There l lie view point L one of the best to he had. Aides of forest ek'd const are to be seen, and all the highest peaks in Now Zealand, a truly remarkable panorama.

On January 13. after a 14 hour tramp, the party returned to Condon’s fMnhi'tahi) vav- tired af (n r a strorumii time, and happy to change the hi«ouit and noinmieon fare of the past d p’s. fo r the wHI varied menu m-ovidul ,:\t Condon’s. The mu-tv then laid their plans for attackin'"now country, and were looking forward to their task i n a hnnpy mood,