THE WAIMAKARIRI’S SOURCE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15902, 13 April 1912, Page 4

THE WAIMAKARIRI’S SOURCE

SCENES .WORTH SEEING,

AN INTERESTING EXCURSION

Mr A. P. Harper, of Christchurch, has returned from an interesting little expedition to the headwaters of the Waimakariri River. He was accompanied by Mr Eric Harper and Lieutenant G. Dennistoun, of H.M.S. Pioneer. Tlie party left Christchurch on April 4, went to the Bcaley hy tiain and coach, and after a ride of about fifteen miles from the Bealey Hotel reached a camp at the junction of the White River and the Waimakariri at 7 p.m. tho same day. In sketching the party s operations in conversation with a reporter yesterday, Mr A. P. Harper said that on the following day, April 5, Mount Davie, the big peak seen from the coach road, lying at the head of the Waimakariri River, was ascended. On April (j the main river was followed, to a place near its source. At tho head of that valley a most remarkable piece of gorge scenery was found. The river, after, leaving the small glacier at its source, plowed through a desolate rocky basin for about half a milo, and then dropped over a fine fall of some hundred feet into a chasm with sheer rocky walls. After a short open reach for a few hundred yards it rushed down roughly from six hundred to eight hundred feet in the next quarter of a mile, over waterfalls varying from twenty feet to one hundred feet, in a narrow deft in the reck. Tho river had evidently cut out a soft stratum, and had formed a gorge well worth seeing. In places that canyon was only five feet wide and could be jumped with ease. It seldom widened to more than twenty feet. Below, in semi-darkness, the river roared over falls into deep boiling rocky pools. Mr ’ Harper said that with all his experience in the Alps ho had seen no piece of river scenery more worth seeing. The whole locality was within easy reach of Christchurch, and was more interesting than many places better known as tourist resorts. Up tho 'White River tho glaciers and icefields were unexpectedly extensive. Tho peak ascended hy tho party afforded five hours and a half of ice and snow work, and to show its accessibility, Mr Harper stated that tho summit was leached soon after mid-day on the day after leaving Christchurch. It proved a very comfortable base camp. In its present state, however, he added, tho locality was not suited to fair weather tourists. It was an admirable holiday resort for members of a camping party who were ready for some rough river travelling and hill scrambles. The icefields were quite large enough to require care, and, as an old . alpine climber, he advised the inclusion of a man experienced in snow and icework in any party attempting to climb the higher peaks of the White River Valley. Mr Harper added that it was very probable, although the maps did net show the features of that valley, that some of tho early pioneers penetrated far enough up the main branch to see the gorge which ho had described, but, unfortunately, very few records remain- ■ ed of the fine work done by those first explorers. In any case, it seemed to bo worth while to call attention to the place, as it was within easy reach of Christchurch and had been long since lost sight of, if it had ever been described before.

It is understood that a recommendation has been made to the Tourist Department to put up an iron hut where the party camped. If this is done, many people, doubtless, will take advantage of an outing so easily accessible from the city.