THROUGH FIORDLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 6

THROUGH FIORDLAND

NEW SCENIC ROUTE AUCKLANDERS’ TRIBUTE The remarkable scenic beauties and unique attractions of the new 110-mile route opened up between Lake Manapouri and the West Coast Sounds by the wellknown Fiordland guide, Mr Leslie Murrell, were referred to yesterday in terms of glowing praise by two Aucklanders who have just completed the trip, Mr F. E. de Guerrier, chief engineer to the Auckland Transport Board, and Miss Elsie K. Morton, of the literary staff of the New Zealand Herald.

Mr de Guerrier, who was a delegate to tlie recent engineering conference held in Dunedin, could spare only five days for the trip, but Miss Morton, who covered the Manapouri-Deep Cove section of the trip last summer, was go impressed with its beauty that she returned this year to complete it, spending 17 days on the track and in cruising on Bradshaw, Thompson, and Doubtful Sounds. Mr de Guerrier, who is a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club and who has done a considerable amount of climbing in the Himalayas, was particularly impressed with the attractions of the trip from the climber’s viewpoint. “I don’t use many superlatives,” he said in an interview yesterday, “but I have only one word for the whole trip—stupendous! 1 only wish I could have spent weeks on it instead of days. One could put in a fortnight at the Minerva high camp alone, climbing a new peak every day, botanising and studying the bird life. I had only one day there and Guide Jack Cox and 1 climbed Mount Malcolm, not a difficult peak, but most interesting, first bush climbing, then up through snow grass, and out on to the bare rock. We had intended to do a traverse, but the mists drove us down. The panorama from Mount Malcolm was perhaps the greatest thrill of the trip. We looked out ovei; mile upon mile of unexplored mountains, lakes, and fiordland forests. Almost directly beneath was the south arm of Te Anau, where we saw the Government steamer coming down from Glade House. We were in a world of mountain tops, practically all unclimbed, peaks, domes, and jagged ridges, and below us was the dip of Fowler Pass, over which the track runs from Lake Minerva to the Bedevere Hut, on the Camelot River, a drop of about 3000 feet.”

A high tribute was paid by Mr dc Guerrier to the zeal and enthusiasm of Mr Leslie Murrell. “It is amazing to think that the opening up of such an important route should have been accomplished solely through the vision and enterprise of one man/’ he said. “ Even in its present form the track is a national' asset, and should be recognised as such by the Government without delay. Mr Murrell has shown the true pioneering spirit, for in opening up this new route to the Sounds he tackled and completed, almost singlehanded, a job far beyond the powers of most men. With the aid of a few volunteer helpers, he has cut over 20 miles of track through virgin -forest, established camps, and built bridges, so that the trip can now be made comfortable by anybody used to tramping. But I think the time has come when his work should be recognised by the Government, _ and I he should be given assistance in the improvement and development of the track, for there is a great deal still to be done. If the Government would assist him with a good team of workmen, the track could be improved so greatly that by next season tourists from all parts of the world could be encouraged to come and see its beauties. In my opinion, these are as great as those of the Milford track, while its interests are far more varied.” Miss Morton was so impressed with the beauty of the new track frem Lake Manapouri to Fowler Pasg’and Bradshaw Sound that, instead of returning by the usual route, via Wilmot Pass and the Spey Valley, she went hack over the same ground, double-staging the 15-mile section from Minerva Camp and Manapouri in one day, and spending two day# at the new hut on the north/arm.. / " I was surprised to find the track fn such good condition; considering it was so recently cut,” she said, "and its beauties were even greater than I had been led to expect. The most impressive scene is certainly the magnificent panorama from the Fowler Pass, and the most beautiful is the five-mile section from the Bedevere Hut down the Camelbt River to Gaer Arm. The ferns there are most lovely, and the two-mile row down the wide, unrippled reaches of the Camelot is a revelation of beauty, with the forest growing to the water's edge and rugged mountains reflected in the clear water. The three-day launch cruise on the Sounds was a splendid climax, for we were able to explore the beauties of Hall’s Arm and Crooked Arm, which visitors rarely have time to do thoroughly. The camps are all most comfortable, although as yet in canvas form, and are well provided with the necessary equipment, including stretchers and sleeping bags. We were most fortunate in the weather, for, although there was a fair amount of rain, it fell mostly at night, and we lost only one day. Altogether, it has been a wonderful trip, and it was well worth while coming over a thousand miles to make it.”