GLENORCHY NOTES

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4670, 14 December 1944, Page 3

GLENORCHY NOTES

(Own Correspondent) Weather. Apart from high winds at times during the week the weather has shown a marked improvement with fairly high temperatures towards the week-end. At the week-end conditions were stormy at times but the temperature remained high. Red Rainfall.

During the past week evidence of the arrival over the district of dust clouds recently .reported to be travelling across the Tasman Sea, appeared in the slight discolouration of the snow surfaces on the surrounding ranges. Apparently the dust was gradually forced to lower levels and on Monday the presence of a heavy dust cloud was very evident in the Dart Valley area around Earnslaw. The dust cloud which lay at about 3000 ft. was distinctly separated from a heavy rain cloud lying around the hilltops. The whole cloud effect made a most unusual spectacle. During the day rain commenced to fall and driving right down the Dart Valley brought with it much of the suspended red dust. The effect of the discoloured rain which has continued to fall intermittently at higher altitudes, is particularly marked on the snowfields on the Humboldt Range and in the Beanburn Valley. Judging by the extent of the discoloration in the Beanburn it was through this valley that the main dust clouds travelled coming from a north-westerly direction. The general discoloration effect on the snowfields and particularly on the glaciers is accentuated by the vivid white streaks which are now visible on the snow and which are caused by miniature avalanches on the reddish brown surfaces. It is a sight which will prove a fascination to tourists for some time until a general summer thaw perhaps removes the major part of the discoloured snow. Personal.

Mr and Mrs W. McLaren and. family have returned to Glenorchy after spending some months in the Farrlight district. M. T. Mitchell of Cromwell has been staying at Earnslaw Hotel.