CLIMBING TUTOKO

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 51

CLIMBING TUTOKO

MR TURNER AND PARTY SAFE. (Ijeom Ouu Own Oobbespondent.) WELLINGTON, March 4. News was received here to-day that Mr Samuel Punier, F.R.G.S., and his party -lie missing ai Mount J. utoiio, Manord Aouml. Mr -turner felt here fast month to attempt the ascent of the mountain. H® had arranged with the Tourist Department to have toe services of Ivlr Peter Graham, tne well-known Mount Cook guide, for the contemplated ascent, but as there were several climbers at the Hermitage, includmg a member of the English Alpine Club, a member of the Canadian Alpine Club, ami others, it was found impossible at the last moment to let Mr Graham go. Mr Turner then secured the services of Mr Milne, who had been a guide at Mount Cook, and he also had in his party Mr MT’herson, of the Lauds qnd Survey Department, and Mr Murrell, probably one of the Murrells at Manapourl. To-day a telegram came from ono of the roadmen on th® Milford Sound track, stating that the party which had gone out with three days’ food supplies, hod been missing since February 20. AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT. A SNOWSTORM ENCOUNTERED. (From Oub Own Correspondents.) LUMSDEN, March 5. Mr Samuel Turner, leader of the party who set out to climb Mount Tutoko on February 20 last, was seen by our Queenstown correspondent at Lumsden to-day. He managed only to get to Glenorcliy yesterday from ilowden Hut, at the head of the Greenstone, travelling partly in darkness, im order to send telegrams to allay any fears as to the safety of tho party. Mr Turner says the party climbed 5200 ft up th® Tutoko Valley, making three camps. This climb entailed an ascent of 5000 ft, and a descent of 3000 ft. A severe snowstorm was then encountered last Tuesday week, plastering the mountain with snow and ice, which prevented" further progress for a day or twoThe food supplies were then exhausted, and the party had to return through unexplored country into tho Hollyford Valley, and thence to Martin’s Bay, where they obtained food at Mackenzie Bros. One of the latter brought Mr Turner across to Glenorchy, and the rest of the party returned to Glad® House. Mr Turner has gone up to Glad® Hut to-day, and will renew the attempt to climb the mountain. Owing to the difficulties of ascent, only about three days’ provisions can be carried.