TOURIST RESORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13948, 2 January 1909, Page 5

TOURIST RESORTS.

—. —__«. _ NEW PASS DISCOVERED. LAKE TEKAPO TO MOUNT COOK. [MY TELEGRAM. —OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] Dunedix, Friday. A new pass to Mount Cook district from Lake Tekapo, over the Liebig Range to Murchison Valley and thence to Ball Hut, a distance roughly of 42 miles, has been discovered, writes the special correspondent of the Otago Times from Lake Pukaki. ' Mr. O. E. Mannering, the wellknown alpine climber, and author of "With Axe and Rope in the New Zealand Alps," who for a good many, years has believed that an easy pass could be found in the Liebig Range, in addition to that at present used for reaching Mount Cook district, decided to put his belief to the test, and with Mr. T. C. Fyfe as companion, left Tekapo on Boxing Day, on the following day-reaching the head of .the Cass River. The Murehison Glacier, which is the second largest in the Dominion, was reached in about three hours. The descent was ' compTfjifcively easy, excepting t\o final stage of 1000 ft. But for this portion, doubtless, a better route can be found for the terminal face of Murchison Glacier. Ball Hut was reached in four hours, thus making connection with the usual tourist route. Mr. Mannering describes the view from the saddle of the Liebig Range, which he has named ' Rutherford Pass, as being second only to that from Mount Tasman, in point of magnificence and v grandeur. By the discovery of .this pae6 a round route is made practicable for tourists, either by first taking the Ardney route, by way of Lake Pukaki, and returning by Rutherford Pass and Tekapo, or taking the Rutherford Pass first and returning by Lake Pukaki. Mr. Mannering eays a coach road could be easily and cheaply made,, the distance to Case from Mr. Rutherford's station being about 20 miles, at which point Saraday Glacier would be reached. The journey from Saraday Glacier to the hut' in Murchison, would be from eight to 10 hours' walking, according to state of the snow. In autumn the pass would probably be altogether clear of snow. From Murclvson to Ball Hut is only four hours' ea*y walking.