MOUNT COOK CLIMBED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21377, 29 December 1932, Page 8

MOUNT COOK CLIMBED

SEASON'S FIRST ASCENT WOMAN'S ACHIEVEMENT Hie honour of making {he first ascent of Mount Cook this season fell to Miss C. Irving, of- Brownhill, Albury, who was accompanied on the climb by Guide Mick Bowie. Miss Irving has just completed a successful climbing trip at tho Hermitage, and the ascent of Mount Cook was tho last of a series of successful climbs of lesser peaks. Miss Irving and her guide started from the Malto Brun hut on December 5 and ascended Mount Hamilton in the Malte Brun range, following this up next day by climbing the Hochstetter Dome at the head of the Tasman Glacier, and returning to the Ball hut. In perfect weather the climbers reached the summit of Mount Johnson on .December 7, where they spent several hours enjoying the wonderful panorama of peaks on the main divide. Broken weather prevented further climbing on December 12, when Mount Rosa, in the Cook range, was ascended in heavy snow. A return was made to Malte Brun hut, and Mount Green, a difficult peak on the main divide, was conquered in perfect weather on December 15. From here a wonderful view was obtained of the Mount Elie de Beaumont and back down the great Tasman glacier. A shift was made to the King Memorial but on the Haast ridge, from where the Anzacs were climbed on December 17. The following morning, at 1 a.m., a start was made for Mount Cook via the Linda Glacier. Good straight going was encountered on the Linda and the summit rocks were reached at 7 a.m. By this time a strong westerly, was making climbing difficult, but the rocks proved to be in good condition and were topped at 8.30 a.m.

The wind was rolling in great banks of clouds from the Tasmnn Sea. and there was no time to be lost. The summit was reached at 10 a.m., and only a brief stay could bo marie to secure photos, as the clouds were already topping the divide in places. The descent was accomplished without incident, the hut being reached at 5,30 p.m., making hours' total time for the climb.