MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20611, 9 January 1929, Page 8

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

ASCENT OF MOUNT COOK. LADY'S ARDUOUS PEAT. {Feu United Press Association.) » ait r TIMARU, January 8. A notable feat in, mountain climbing was accomphehed last Sunday by Miss K. Gardiner, of Liverpool, England, when 847 a ol Mount Cook (1-,347 feet) in 15J hours—record time Iffy &$? er ’ Accompanied by Guide Vic. Williams and Porter Lud Mahan, Miss Gardiner left the Haast Hut at 2 a.m. on Sunday in excellent weather for climbing. By 9.15 a.m. the summit rook was reached, and the party halted for breakfast. Up to this stage the going was fairly hard, the ire-glazed rocks BeinS very difficult to negotiate. The crampons were domred and the-party gained the summit at 10.15 a.m., after an arduous ciimb. The ice cap on the summit was found fairly difficult owing to fresh snow having fallen on hard ire. An exceptionally fine view was obtained from the top, both coasts being clearly visible. Miss Gardiner has climbed in Switzerland_ and Canada, and expresses the opinion that the New Zealand guides can hold their own with the guides of those countries. SUCCESSFUL EXPLORATIONS. UNKNOWN COUNTRY IN OTAGO. (Per United Press Association.) PEMBROKE, January 8. Following a successful exploration and ascent of Mount Hooker. Mr Turner's party, which has returned to Pembroke made the first ascent and exploration oi Mount Brewster and its hitherto unknown nnd magnificent ice and snow fields—the source of the Makarora River. The party, which was later joined by Mr Eric Miller, of Dunedin, and Dr Bathgate, oi Ashburton, also explored the head of the Wilkin Valley and made the first ascents of Castor and Pollux. They made important discoveries, including two -passes connecting the east with a West Coast valley.