ALPINE ORDEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21401, 27 January 1933, Page 8

ALPINE ORDEAL

GUIDE BREAKS HIS LEG

ACCIDENT IN CREVASSE

WOMAN CLIMBER'S PLUCK

AID TO INJURED MAN

[by telegraph—OWN correspondent]

GREYMOUTH, Thursday

A grim ordeal faced two lone mountaineers, a man and a woman, at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier on Tuesday, when a former guide, Mr. Mark Lysons, broke a leg while crossing a crevasse.

Ho had left the Franz Josef Hotel at Waiho several hours previously in company with Miss Ida Corry, one of the world's foremost alpine climbers and a member of a famous English alpine club. They had made good progress under favourable conditions, but when they were nearing the main divide Mr. Lysons slipped in negotiating a crevasse and fractured his leg. The two climbers were miles away from any assistance. Miss Corry, however, lost no time in helping the injured man back the way they had come, dividing her attention between negotiating a safe passage and assisting the guide. Mr. Lysons, however, has had extensive alpine experience and, encouraged by Miss Corry's pluck, made steady, if slow and ardous, progress down the glacier.

The going was fraught with danger, but they travelled to within five 'miles of the Aylmer Hut, when it was decided that Miss Corry should continue alone in quest of help. After attending to the guide's comfort she started out for the hut, which is several miles up the glacier from its terminal face. Fortunately, she encounterpd another guide, Mr. J. Fluety, of Waiho, who. was ascending the glacier above the Aylmer Hut.

Mr. Fluety had set out from the hotel to relieve Mr. Lysons, but on finding the hut empty, and the hours passing without sign of the others' return, he became uneasy and proceeded up the glacier to look for them.

Oa meeting Miss Corry, he hastened with her to Mr. Lysons, assisted down to the hut. Mr. Fluety then went back to the hotel to secure medical aid, and was able to obtain the services of a doctor who was visiting'the glacial region. Tho doctor proceeded up to the hut and helped to bring the injured man down to the hotel.