SKI-ING EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 8

SKI-ING EXPEDITION.

M URC HISON GLACIER TRIP.

SECOND JOURNEY IN WINTER

A ski-ing expedition of great interest in tiio history of tlio Mount Cook region wa3 rnado hist week by Messrs. Jack Bowrori, Kenneth Fulton and Goro, of Dunedin, with Guide A!f Brustad. The party ski ed up tlic Tasrnan Glacier from Malto Brim Hut, crossed the 'lasman fcaddlo at a, height of 8021 ft., and trav-

ersed tlio 17 miles of tho Murcliison /Glacier, arriving' the same night at tho Ball Hut. Tho nest day, with Master Harry Wigley, of Christ's College, they had tho distinction of being the first party to cross the Hall I'ass (7600 ft.) over tho Mount Cook range, on skis, 'J'hey returned to the Hermitage l>y way 'of tlio Hooker Valley. The importance rtf tho expedition lies in the fact that it was pre-eminently a skiing trip, and also a crosscountry run. involving tho ascent of two high passes. For many years ski-runners have been content with ' traversing tho glaciers and slopes of tho valleys. . Although the Murcliison Glacier is tho second largest in New Zealand, the fact that it contains no mountain hut makes it more inaccessible lhan tlio others, tins

is believed to be only the second time in winter that climbers havo invaded its fastnesses. I lie first time was in July, 1927 when Mr. Kenneth Pratt, of Gore, and Guide Brustad, ski ed the length of the valley and then returned to tho Hermitage. making a total journey of 45 miles in tho one day. Two well-known Alpinists, Mr. Otto Frind and bis Australian guide, tfonrad Cain, partially explored the valley in 1914. climbing several peaks on the eastern side of the glacier. Last year Professor and Mrs. R. M. Algie, with Ouidc-s Brustad and Kenneth Grinling, entered the valley from the Tnsman Saddle, and after "ascending several hith?rio unclirnbcd peaks, left it at its terminal moraine.